A fascinating two-piece lot of pre-revolutionary Cuban military cap badges representing two branches of the armed forces that stood at the center of Cuban history on the eve of the Castro revolution. The first badge is a gold bullion wire embroidered cap wreath consistent with Cuban Naval officer insignia — featuring a central shield surmounted by an anchor and rope device, framed by an intricately worked oak and laurel wreath, and backed with a small screw-post fitting with fabric remnant still present. The fine hand-worked bullion construction is consistent with senior officer dress uniform cap insignia of the pre-revolutionary Marina de Guerra de Cuba (Constitutional Navy of Cuba), the naval force that served under the Batista government and whose personnel were largely purged or exiled after Castro's triumph in January 1959. The Constitutional Navy of Cuba was the navy of Cuba that existed prior to 1959, and during World War II it distinguished itself by sinking the German submarine U-176 on May 15, 1943. Fandom
The second badge is a silver-tone metal Cuban Army officer cap badge — the full Cuban coat of arms with crossed cannons, rifles, and oak and laurel wreath surround with a star at the base, identical in design to the gold-tone army cap badges also available in this collection but struck in a silver-tone finish, likely representing a different rank grade or branch designation within the Cuban Army. The reverse retains a screw-post fastener.
Together these two badges represent the Cuban Army and Navy of the Batista era — the forces that faced Castro's 26th of July Movement in the Sierra Maestra and ultimately collapsed on New Year's Day 1959. Original pre-revolutionary Cuban multi-service insignia groupings of this quality are essentially impossible to assemble outside of Cuba. Approximate size: approximately 2½ inches wide each. Materials: Gold bullion wire embroidery (Navy); silver-tone base metal (Army). Country of Origin: Cuba. Both show age-appropriate wear and 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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