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The NRA formation refers to the National Recovery Administration, one of the major New Deal programs established during 1933. The National Industrial Recovery Act was signed June 16, 1933, making this photograph a particularly interesting period image documenting the Navy\'s participation in the highly visible NRA campaign of that year.
The photograph provides a spectacular overhead view of USS Saratoga (CV-3) with hundreds of sailors assembled into giant N-R-A letters across the flight deck. Several aircraft are also positioned on deck. A Goodyear blimp, with the GOODYEAR name faintly visible along the side of the airship, is captured flying alongside the USS Saratoga The reverse of the photograph is unmarked.
The photograph was preserved with an elaborate Merry Christmas 1933 USS Saratoga program/menu. Its illustrated cover depicts Santa descending by parachute above Saratoga, with an aircraft overhead. The interior identifies:
U.S.S. Saratoga
Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash.
Christmas Dinner, 1933
The Christmas menu includes Olympia oyster cocktail, roast young tom turkey, cold roast loin of pork, cranberry jelly, mashed sweet potatoes with walnuts, fruit cake, candy, coffee and even cigarettes. Captain R. F. Zogbaum Jr. is identified as commanding officer.
Also included is the ship\'s April 16, 1933 Easter Greetings program from Long Beach, California. Its illustrated cover features a large cross surrounded by Easter lilies.
Inside is an Easter Day Program with a photograph/illustration of Saratoga and the day\'s schedule:
1000 – Divine Service
1200 – Dinner
1345 – Band Concert
1500 – Special Movie
The opposite page contains the USS Saratoga Easter Dinner, 1933 menu, including roast young turkey, baked spiced ham, cranberry sauce, creamed mashed potatoes, Waldorf salad, ice cream, cake, coffee and other items.
Accompanying the Easter program is a separate Divine Service – Easter Day 1933 – U.S.S. Saratoga booklet identifying Captain R. F. Zogbaum, Commander R. K. Turner as Executive Officer, and Tipton L. Wood as Chaplain. The interior contains the shipboard Easter Holy Communion order of service.
The original mailing envelopes provide especially nice provenance to the grouping. Both are addressed to Mrs. J. M. Taylor, Mims, Brevard County, Florida and carry USS Saratoga ship cancellations.
The Easter envelope is printed:
U.S.S. Saratoga
c/o Postmaster
Long Beach, California
and carries an April 17, 1933 USS Saratoga cancellation, immediately following Easter Sunday.
The Christmas envelope is printed:
U.S.S. Saratoga
San Pedro, California
and carries a December 27, 1933 USS Saratoga cancellation and 3-cent Washington stamp.
Together, these pieces appear to have remained associated since they were originally received by the same Florida recipient in 1933, giving the collection considerably more historical context than the individual pieces would have separately.
USS Saratoga was one of America\'s earliest purpose-operated aircraft carriers and became one of the most famous U.S. carriers of the prewar and World War II eras. Naval History and Heritage Command records confirm Saratoga was actively operating in the Pacific during this period, including Hawaiian exercises during January-February 1933.
Condition Summary
An exceptionally interesting surviving 1933 USS Saratoga grouping with all pieces showing authentic age and use. The colorful Christmas and Easter programs remain especially attractive, while the original ship-cancelled envelopes provide excellent period context and provenance. The approximately 5 x 7 inch NRA flight-deck formation photograph is the centerpiece of the collection and presents a remarkable overhead view of Saratoga, her crew, aircraft and an accompanying airship.
Features
- Original 1933 USS Saratoga (CV-3) archive/grouping
- Approximately 5 x 7 inch original period photograph
- Hundreds of Saratoga sailors arranged into giant NRA letters
- NRA represents the National Recovery Administration
- Remarkable overhead view of the carrier\'s flight deck
- Aircraft visible on Saratoga\'s deck
- Airship/dirigible visible alongside the carrier
- Original Merry Christmas 1933 USS Saratoga illustrated program
- Santa parachuting above Saratoga cover artwork
- Original Christmas Dinner 1933 menu
- Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington
- Captain R. F. Zogbaum Jr., commanding
- Original Easter Greetings – April 16, 1933 program
- Long Beach, California
- Original Easter Dinner 1933 menu
- Easter Day schedule including divine service, dinner, band concert and movie
- Separate Divine Service – Easter Day 1933 booklet
- Original USS Saratoga mailing envelopes
- April 17, 1933 Saratoga ship cancellation
- December 27, 1933 Saratoga ship cancellation
- Early and RARE Goodyear blimpphotograph
- Both mailed to the same recipient in Mims, Brevard County, Florida
- Excellent Depression-era U.S. Navy / naval aviation / New Deal historical grouping
- All items shown are included
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