A matched pair of pre-revolutionary Cuban Army officer cap badges, each featuring the full Cuban national coat of arms in rich gold-tone relief — the divided shield bearing the key of Havana, the rising sun, the royal palm, and the blue and white diagonal stripes of the Cuban national colors, crowned by the Phrygian liberty cap with its lone star of independence, flanked by crossed cannons and rifles, and surrounded by an oak and laurel wreath with a five-pointed star at the base. The oak branch symbolizes the strength of the nation, and the laurel wreath represents honor and glory — symbols meant to represent the rights of man: Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity. The two badges are nearly identical in design but differ slightly in their reverse fastener configuration — one with a screw-post and one with a ball-post — suggesting they may have been intended for different mounting applications such as cap front and side, or dress and field variants. Both retain their original fasteners.
These badges date to the era of the pre-revolutionary Republic of Cuba — the Batista period of the 1940s and 1950s — and given their presence alongside the General Eulogio Cantillo wings and the sterling FAR pilot wings also available in this collection, they almost certainly originate from the same high-level Cuban military source. Original pre-revolutionary Cuban Army officer insignia of this quality and provenance is exceptionally scarce outside of Cuba and represents a direct physical connection to one of the most dramatic chapters in 20th century Western Hemisphere history. Approximate size: approximately 2 inches wide × 1½ inches tall each. Material: Gold-tone base metal. Country of Origin: Cuba. Both show age-appropriate patina consistent with their era.
🛫 WINGS OF HISTORY! A Historic Aviation Collectible & Memorabilia Online Extravaganza!
Part One of the Frank Cuadrado Lifetime Collection — Online Only Auction
Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT | www.BidYall.com
WELCOME ABOARD! You've found the catalog for one of the most extensive and historically significant aviation memorabilia collections ever offered at auction — the MUSEUM QUALITY lifetime collection of Frank Cuadrado, retired Federal Aviation Administration employee. Browse the lots below, but first, here's your flight plan:
★ THE COLD WAR CUBAN COLLECTION — The Crown Jewels History you can hold in your hand. Leading the way: General Eulalio Cantillo's personal FAR pilot wings — a direct, personal link to one of the pivotal military figures of revolutionary-era Cuba. Alongside them: Cuban Brigade 2506 wings and patches from the Bay of Pigs invasion force, Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR) pilot wings in multiple rank variants, and gorgeous pre-revolutionary Cubana de Aviación insignia, including a bullion wing patch that has to be seen to be believed. Material with this provenance simply does not surface at auction.
★ FEDERAL AVIATION HERITAGE — A Salute to the Collector's Own Career A scarce Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) eagle badge from the pre-FAA era (ca. 1938–1958), a Connecticut Department of Aviation Inspector badge, and a City of Jackson, MS Airport Police badge. Early aviation law-enforcement and regulatory insignia is among the toughest categories to collect — and here it is.
★ DEFUNCT U.S. AIRLINES — The Carriers That Built American Aviation Eastern Air Lines (multiple pieces, including the wonderful "Future Flight Captain" child's cap), Hughes Air West chrome pilot wings, a National Airlines cap badge & wings set, plus TWA, Mohawk, Colonial, Continental and MORE. These legendary names no longer grace our skies — their insignia lives on right here.
★ UNIFORMS & WEARABLES — The Golden Age, Head to Toe Highlighted by a complete vintage airline stewardess uniform — jacket, cap, and period-correct wings badge — straight from the era when flying was an EVENT, plus crew insignia spanning multiple carriers.
Serious aviation historians, militaria collectors, Cold War buffs, airline employees past and present — this is your boarding call. Every lot tells a story, and when this collection is gone, it's GONE. And remember: this is only PART ONE — stay tuned for the next departure!
🔨 Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT 📍 Online Only | Spartanburg, SC | Bid from Anywhere at www.BidYall.com 📞 (864) 497-0330
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