This is a specially produced  bookplate on sepia recycled card. It features the genuine signature of American actor Jimmy Stewart, professionally mounted underneath an original pencil drawing of him by Steve Teasdale. Stewart was a huge movie star by the start of WW2. He was concerned that his celebrity status would relegate him to duties behind the lines. After spending over a year training pilots at Kirtland Army Airfield in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he appealed to his commander and in November 1943 was sent to England as part of the 703d Bomb Squadron to fly B-24 Liberators. He was based initially at RAF Tibenham, before moving to RAF Old Buckenham.
A military officer pinning an award to Stewart's decorated military jacket, among other uniformed soldiers
Colonel Stewart receiving the Croix de Guerre with Palm in 1944
Stewart was promoted to major following a mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, on January 7, 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions as deputy commander of the 2nd Bombardment Wing, the French Croix de Guerre with palm, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Stewart was promoted to full colonel on March 29, 1945, becoming one of the few Americans to ever rise from private to colonel in only four years. This is a highly collectable signature with a lovely original drawing which will fit in any WW2 related book.