American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Oil on canvas depicting an American plane flying away from an exploding enemy destroyer, signed by Leydenfrostat bottom right (very minor cracking). Visible area 29 × 21 in. Frame: 32 1/4 × 24 1/4 in.

Alexander Leydenfrost was a Hungarian-American industrial designer and illustrator whose artwork during the Second World War brought the immediacy and drama of the conflict into the homes of millions of Americans. Throughout the war he produced dozens of iconic images depicting American military prowess for Esquire magazine; this work was reproduced on page 62 of the October 1942 issue. The Grumman TBF Avenger was initially developed for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, first seeing action during the Battle of Midway on 4-7 June 1942. Despite losing five of the six Avengers used during this battle it proved so effective at sinking enemy ships that it eventually became the most widely-used torpedo bomber during World War II.