Rare Artifact from the U.S.S. Arizona Salvaged After Bombing 9 x 5.7' Linen Damask Tablecloth, Great Seal of the Navy Pattern. "A Day That Will Live in Infamy" - Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor proved one of the defining moments of the 20th Century in World History. The surprise attack on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, resulted in the United States formally entering World War II on the side of the Allies the following day. Twenty-one American ships were damaged or lost in the attack, of which all but three were repaired and returned to service. The battleships lost were the U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Utah, both of which are still visible (and grave memorials) at Pearl Harbor. In 1989 both ships were added to the registry of the National Historic Landmarks.
After December 7th, 1941, a Lieutenant Donald Dominguez (later Admiral) was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Immediately after the attack, Dominguez sent his wife home to Los Angeles, along with his 1940 convertible Ford, to reside at the home of Bernard Abramson (USNR 6322130 First Class Photographer's Mate himself stationed at the Destroyer Base in San Diego) and his family until he was able to return to the US Mainland. Dominguez had packed items in the trunk of the car including a white table cloth from the Officer's Wardroom of the USS Arizona
which he personally fished out of the water some days after Dec. 7th. It was a gift and keepsake to the Abramsons (as well as the vehicle) a heartfelt thanks for bringing his wife into their home until after the end of the war. The Abramson family safely stored this remarkable and unique, wartime treasure for decades.
Rhea Abramson, Bernard's wife, upon receipt of the tablecloth did what most anyone would do and cleaned the piece to remove as much of the staining from the oily waters as possible. But only once. The 9 x 5.7' table cloth is of especially fine linen. It remains white with scattered areas of discoloration and toning which is to be expected. Woven into the fabric is the Great Seal of the Navy with the drop edges of the cloth having stars and stripes on all four sides. The weave is discrete but at certain angles to light it becomes very apparent.
As "no other table cloth with the Great Seal of the Navy has been retrieved, this USS Arizona Officer's Wardroom table cloth is a one of a kind national treasure" according to the National Park Service, USS Arizona Memorial. In 2000, Bernie Abramson was contacted by the organization in Honolulu as well the museum in the State of Arizona requesting its donation to their memorials. Further an individual with the Veterans of Foreign Wars also inquired.
In 2007 Mr. Abramson located and visited with Vincent "Jim" Vlach, a retired Lieutenant Commander of the US Navy. Vlach was commissioned on board the USS Arizona. He married his wife on the island in 1940 and blessed by a set of circumstances was ashore when it was bombed and sunk in Pearl Harbor. During the visit Vlach confirmed and personally authenticated the presence of the cloth on board and provided a letter of authentication. Also, Vlach posed for photos with the cloth and Abramson. Jim Vlach died a year later in 2008. The last living survivor of the USS Arizona, Lou Conter died April, 2024.
As it turned out, the Abramson family could not bear to part with the tablecloth. Bernard Abramson, by his own admission and confirmed by his son, was too emotionally attached to what the cloth represented to him personally and US history. His son has been the caretaker since his father's death. He is now making it available for auction to pass onto the next caretaker, whether individual, library or museum for generations to come.
Conveying with the sale of this WWII treasure is all the paperwork and photographs referenced in the description including correspondence from the US Department of the Interior. Also included is a written appraisal by Tauber-Arons Auctioneers in August of 2007. Know that the appraisal and estimation was for a tax credit and always prone to subjectivity. But it was in the five to six digit range.
Please feel free to request copies of all written documentation and the appraisal.
Estimated Value $80,000 - 100,000
The Showcase Collection: Rarities
