VMA-231 is an active U.S. Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of AV-8B Harriers and traces its origins to 1919 when the 1st Division, Squadron 1 was organized. The aircraft fabric insignia offered here dates to the late 1930s when the squadron had been re-designated Marine Observation Squadron One (VO-1M). The VMA-231 designation came about when the squadron was reactivated in 1973. Per the included letter of provenance from the Marine who saved this section of aircraft fabric back in 1937, “Near about 50 years ago I retrieved the Ace of Spades insignia from a trash can outside the Marine hanger at NAS San Diego (North Island). It had been painted on the fabric covering the vertical fin of the O3U-6 airplane assigned to VO-8M, one of the squadrons of Aircraft Two, Fleet Marine Force.” At the time the Marine was a private and radio operator in training. The fabric measures about 17 ½ x 13 ¼ inches and is mounted to card stock that also features an image of VO-1M Vought Corsairs and overlaid with a matte. The fabric displays a painted “Ace of Spades” insignia along with Marine nomenclature, including O3U-6, the type aircraft that originally wore the fabric. The famous “Ace of Spades” insignia was designed by squadron member Hayne Boyden who went on to become a highly decorated Marine Corps aviator and aviation pioneer, especially in aerial photography, and was the first official insignia used by a Marine aviation squadron. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Fine as mounted, retaining most of the black paint which shows fading. As reminded by the Marine who pulled the fabric out of a trashcan, most of these works of arts were simply discarded. This is a rare and historic piece of U.S. Marine Corps aviation.