Historical Collection

Original award certificate dated Berlin, 21 May 1939, conferring the Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter, 3rd Class, on Babette Koch, née Ott, of Vorbach. It bears the period facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler beneath “Der Führer und Reichskanzler” and a handwritten countersignature at lower right. An early Mother’s Cross document.

Mother’s Cross in Bronze (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter, 3rd Class) with its named award document, dated Berlin, 1 October 1939, for Frau Johanna Gebert, née Ehehalt, of Breslau. Medal and certificate together.

Original typed letter signed by Albert Speer in blue ink, dated Heidelberg, 9 October 1969, on his personal letterhead. It gives his opinion on a handwriting sample connected with Adolf Hitler and mentions sending a copy of his memoirs, “Erinnerungen”, for 25 Deutsche Mark.

Original Übertragungsverfügung (order of assignment) dated Berlin, 14 May 1938, from the Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, assigning Amtmann Max Nüske to a post at the Reichskriegsgericht from 1 May 1938, signed in ink by Wilhelm Keitel.

Original typed letter personally signed in ink by Marshal Philippe Pétain, dated 26 December 1934. Although written before the Second World War, the document is directly connected to one of the most controversial figures of WWII, who later became Head of the French State and leader of Vichy France. The letter concerns Pétain’s acceptance of a place on a memorial committee dedicated to French historian Camille Jullian. Accompanied by a separate historical photographic print associated with Pétain’s later political period.

Original 1942 Kriegsmarine promotion patent issued to Korvettenkapitän Johannes Schur, promoting him to Fregattenkapitän effective 1 April 1942. The document is dated Führerhauptquartier, 15 April 1942, bears a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler and an original handwritten signature of Großadmiral Erich Raeder. Accompanied by its official presentation folder and an original August 1942 forwarding letter from the Küstenschutzflottille Ostland.

Rare WWII German Luftschutz-Ehrenzeichen 1. Stufe, the gold-grade Air Defence Honour Decoration dated 1938, with distinctive cross design, “Für Verdienste im Luftschutz” inscription and purple ribbon with black-white-red borders.

Printed book page with photographic content on the final period of the Second World War, bearing two original ink signatures of Albert Speer and Karl Dönitz. Two related historical signatures on one piece.

Original printed New Year acknowledgement card, “Berlin-Dahlem, im Januar 1936”, with a large handwritten message and signature in dark ink by Joachim von Ribbentrop. The printed name is part of the card; the inscription and signature are handwritten.

Original German military certificate dated 1 April 1936 and personally signed in graphite pencil by Erwin Rommel during his period as an instructor at the Potsdam War School. The document certifies that Major Dr. Dr. Mayer had provided genealogical evidence of ancestry extending to his grandparents. A rare pre-WWII autograph connected with the future commander of the 7th Panzer Division and Afrika Korps.

Original Nelson Mandela signature, dated 29 June 2000 and described as certified, presented with a portrait photograph and a biographical text panel. Offered unframed. An autograph of one of the defining political and humanitarian figures of the 20th century.

Original three-page typed document signed by Otto Skorzeny, dated Madrid, 2 November 1972, containing his personal corrections to passages dealing directly with his experiences during the Second World War.

Headed “Corrections of My Memoirs”, the pages reference the Waffen-SS, Abwehr, RSHA, Walter Schellenberg, Skorzeny’s wartime promotion, his special battalion and his Knight’s Cross. The final page bears a large handwritten Otto Skorzeny signature. Includes original airmail envelope addressed to R. James Bender Publishing in California.