The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Wehrmacht
Erich von Manstein (1887–1973): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 24 November 1887, Berlin |
|---|---|
| Died | 11 June 1973, Irschenhausen |
| Key commands | 11th Army (September 1941); Field Marshal (July 1942); dismissed March 1944 |
| Documents bearing his name | Army command documents, award papers; post-war letters and books |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Erich von Manstein is often described as the most able German operational commander of the war. His post-war memoirs shaped the image of a “clean” Wehrmacht, an image historians have since rejected. Collectors meet both wartime and post-war Manstein signatures.
Who Was Erich von Manstein?
Manstein was born in Berlin in 1887. He proposed the armoured thrust through the Ardennes that Hitler adopted for the 1940 campaign against France. From September 1941 he commanded the 11th Army in the south of the Eastern Front and captured Sevastopol in July 1942, after which he was promoted to field marshal. Hitler dismissed him in March 1944.
What Documents Bear Manstein’s Signature?
Wartime signatures appear on command documents and award papers; post-war signatures on letters, photographs and copies of his memoirs. Describe the period clearly. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Field marshal only from July 1942.
- Separate wartime and post-war signatures.
- Check unit and command against the date.
Trial and Later Life
After the war he was tried by a British military court, acquitted of the most serious charges, and imprisoned until 1953, when he was released because of ill health. He died in 1973.
Collector’s Note
Manstein’s memoir signatures are common and genuine, but they belong to his post-war reinvention. I always set them apart from his wartime documents in my descriptions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Manstein become a field marshal?
In July 1942, after the capture of Sevastopol.
Was Manstein tried?
Yes, by a British military court; he was imprisoned until 1953.
Are Manstein signed books common?
Post-war signed copies of his memoirs appear regularly.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the National Socialist period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of the regime.
References & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Erich von Manstein.