Original WWII illustrated menu card by H. Castaing, signed at a senior Allied Command dinner or staff gathering during the European campaign. Castaing’s refined caricature style — closely aligned with the celebrated French illustrator “Sem” — was widely used for officers’ mess menus, receptions, and high‑profile social events.

Across the front appear four signatures, all belonging to key figures from Eisenhower’s wartime headquarters (SHAEF):

Dwight D. Eisenhower – Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force; later U.S. President. Kay Summersby – Eisenhower’s personal driver, aide, and confidante throughout the European campaign. James Gault – British Army Colonel and trusted military assistant within Eisenhower’s immediate staff. Lt Gen F. E. Morgan – Sir Frederick Edgworth Morgan, architect of the original Operation Overlord (D‑Day) plan as COSSAC.

These signatures together form a coherent, historically significant SHAEF group, representing Eisenhower’s inner administrative and planning circle during the build‑up to D‑Day and the liberation of Europe.

Important Note on the Reverse: The back of the sheet carries the signature of Maj. John W. Watson AC (Eagle Squadron) this appears to be separate, later addition, unrelated to the Eisenhower group. Pencil names above Watson (Williamson, Allan, Morrison, etc.) are also unrelated RAF/Eagle Squadron signatures added independently.

Artwork: Signed “H. Castaing” lower right. His elegant line‑and‑wash caricature style was popular for French salon dinners and Allied officers’ mess menus in the 1930s–40s.

Provenance: 

From a single owner collection of 3,000+ items. A chaotic uncatalogued miscellany of items from 17th to 20th Century. 

Containing, amongst many other things: ALSs (Autograph Letters Signed); Signed Photos, Posters, Ephemera, Album pages; Clipped Signatures; Signed Free Fronts; Misc Manuscript Items; etc, etc.  

Dwight David Eisenhower (Oct 1890 – Mar 1969), also known as Ike, was the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. In his previous military career, he led the Allied Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, launched decisive campaigns in North Africa and Normandy and became a General of the Army.

Kathleen Helen Summersby BEM (Nov 1908 – Jan 1975), known as Kay Summersby, was an Irish member of the British Mechanised Transport Corps during World War II, who served as a chauffeur and later as personal secretary to Dwight D. Eisenhower during his period as Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force in command of the Allied forces in North West Europe.

Brigadier Sir James Frederick Gault KCMG MVO OBE (Jun 1902 – Jan 1977) was a British brigadier and military assistant to General Dwight Eisenhower in the UK during World War II.

Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Edgworth Morgan, KCB (Feb 1894 – Mar 1967) was a senior officer of the British Army who served in both world wars. He is best known as the chief of staff to the Supreme Allied Commander (COSSAC), the original planner of Operation Overlord.