Bonhams, Los Angeles, Photographs, May 8, 2012, lot 142; Private collection, acquired from the above.

Horace Bristol (American, 1909-1997) PBY Blister Gunner, 1944 Gelatin silver print, printed later 10-1/8 x 9-7/8 inches (25.7 x 25.1 cm) (image) 14 x 11 inches (sheet) Signed in pencil, verso. Signed and editioned 28/50 in ink on accompanying label. PROVENANCE: Bonhams, Los Angeles, Photographs, May 8, 2012, lot 142; Private collection, acquired from the above. In 2002, speaking with a writer for B&W Magazine, Bristol recounted capturing his iconic image of a Marine shot down in Japanese-held Rabaul Harbor, in present-day Papua New Guinea: '...We got a call to pick up an airman who was down in the Bay. The Japanese were shooting at him from the island, and when they saw us they started shooting at us. The man who was shot down was temporarily blinded, so one of our crew stripped off his clothes and jumped in to bring him aboard. He couldn't have swum very well wearing his boots and clothes. As soon as we could, we took off. We weren't waiting around for anybody to put on formal clothes. We were being shot at and wanted to get the hell out of there. The naked man got back into his position at his gun in the blister of the plane.' HID12401132022 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Overall excellent condition with no visible defects. Sheet illuminates under blacklight. Sheet is hinged along upper corners to a 20 x 16 inch window mat, not framed.