U.S.S. Missouri - Orginal Plaque Commemorating The Spot Where Japan Surrendered for Sale

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U.S.S. Missouri - Orginal Plaque Commemorating The Spot Where Japan Surrendered For Sale

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U.S.S. Missouri - Orginal Plaque Commemorating The Spot Where Japan Surrendered :
$33000.00

This sale is for an original brass plaque made in 1945 to commemorate the spot on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, where Japan signed the surrender agreement ending World War II.

On September 2, 1942, a ceremony was held on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, where the official surrender agreement was signed by Japan, bringing an end to World War II.

Soon after the surrender agreement was signed, it was decided to commemorate this historical event by having a plaque installed on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri over the spot where the agreement was signed.

A competition was held, and there were three to four plaques made and submitted for approval. One plaque was made by the Naval Gun Factory in the Washington Navy Yard, another was made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. It's not clear who made the other plaques, but all were submitted, and the plaque submitted by the Naval Gun Factory was chosen to be installed on the ship.

Pictures of the plaque being offered here were sent to the Curator Branch of the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington D.C. After some research, it was their opinion that this is the original plaque made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which was submitted as part of the competition, but no chosen for installation on the U.S.S. Missouri.

In July 1956, the original owner of this plaque donated it to the War Memorial Museum in Virginia. The curator of the War Memorial Museum, in turn, gave it to the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia. For the next 16 years, the plaque remained at the Mariners Museum until, by request, it was returned to the original owner in April 1972.

I've included pictures of letters and other correspondence that occurred between 1956 and 1957, where the historical significance of this plaque was discussed. This correspondence took place between individuals from The War Memorial Museum, The Mariners Museum, The Bremerton Group - Pacific Reserve Fleet, the Chief of Naval Operations - U.S. Navy, and the Head of Special Collections for the U.S. Naval Academy library.

The plaque is made of solid brass, measuring 1/2"

thick, 18" in diameter, and weighs approximately 45 pounds.

After almost 75 years, the plaque has been well maintained and is in amazing condition. While there are a few minor surface scratches, they're difficult to notice. The plaque has been professionally polished, and it is their opinion, that the scratches are minor and could easily be buffed out if desired.