Artifact collectors of modest means collect small things like coins and stamps. If you have money, however, you can think big. For most collectors, this means high end artifacts (like the Athenian Decadrachm described below). For some, however, thinking big is taken more literally. Jacques Littlefield, who just passed away, was just such a collector- he collected tanks! For his obitiary, see: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/13/BAHA157UND.DTL
I once saw a documentary about the restoration of the WWII Panther tank described in the article. It was a hugely complex and expensive job restoring the vehicle that had been sabotaged by its own crew before fleeing the advancing Russians and then had lain underwater for decades. Only collectors with the financial means and patience of a Jaques Littlefield would have attempted such a task. Hopefully, his collection will be cared for for years to come.
Letter from the President
ReplyDeleteMilitary Vehicle Technology Foundation
January 15, 2009
Portola Valley, Ca
Dear Friends of the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation,
I am sad to announce that our long-time friend, the Foundation’s founder, Jacques Littlefield, passed away on January 7, 2009. Shortly before his final hours he indicated satisfaction with the status and accomplishments of the Foundation and its most recent project, the just completed German Panther.
Jacques acquired his first full-sized military vehicle, an M3A1 wheeled scout car, in 1975. By the late 1990s as the collection became more significant, he started to plan for its longer term preservation. In 1998, he created the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation (MVTF) as a non-profit corporation. The mission of the MVTF is to collect, preserve, restore, document and display armored fighting vehicles and their associated equipment. The MVTF serves the interests of authors, historians, educators, the defense industry, veterans groups, model makers and the entertainment industry.
Over the last few years, Jacques and the board of directors had many discussions about the future of the MVTF. He made it clear that he wanted the Foundation and its activities to continue after his death. Last week, his children agreed that the Foundation should continue to develop, preserve and display the vehicles and the current items will be named the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection. Jacques’ family, the staff of the MVTF, and the board were all greatly heartened by the expressions of interest in the future of the MVTF following the announcement of his death.
The Board of Directors of the MVTF met following Jacques’ death and elected new officers to continue his work. With the agreement and support of Jacques’ children, the MVTF will continue to be housed at its current location in the hills above Portola Valley.
Access to the collection by interested individuals and groups remains a critical element to continuing to fulfill the MVTF charter and mission. Therefore, many restoration projects, display enhancements and the weekly tours will continue.
In his will, Jacques created an endowment for the MVTF that will allow us time to transition to a self sustaining organization. The Board and the friends of the MVTF now have the opportunity and substantial responsibility to increase the endowment and manage the operating costs to ensure that Jacques legacy collection continues to be available to provide its unique contributions.
If you would like to make a donation to the MVTF in Jacques’ memory and help preserve, display and have access to the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection, please consider sending a contribution to:
MVTF
P.O. Box 7390
Menlo Park, CA 94026
The MVTF is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 corporations. Donations are considered fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
I hope you will join us in preserving and advancing Jacques’ legacy.
Sincerely,
William A. (Bill) Boller
President
Military Vehicle Technology Foundation
Military Vehicle Technology Foundation website.
Email addresses:
To make arrangements for tours:
tours.mvtf@gmail.com
To arrange access to the collection for commercial purposes:
permissions.mvtf@gmali.com
For any other issues:
inquiries.mvtf@gmail.com