Historical Collection

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 filled-in German Ahnenpass belonging to Manfred Jung, born in Geisweid in 1927. The ancestry booklet retains his identification photograph, handwritten signature, completed family-tree chart and numerous genealogical entries. It is accompanied by an official 1938 birth certificate bearing a Klafeld registry seal and revenue stamp.

Original first-pattern Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch belonging to Wilhelm Hils of Karlsruhe, with handwritten personal details and employment records including the municipal cemetery administration and post-war entries extending into the late 1940s.

Original German Arbeitsbuch issued to Emil Berg, born 27 March 1902, recording skilled work as Schlosser and Mechaniker (metalworker and mechanic), with official stamps and employment entries including dates of 1919 and 1922.

Five German badges and souvenirs from 1928 to 1938: a textile souvenir of the 14. Deutsches Turnfest, Köln 1928, a Tag der Arbeit 1935 badge, a 1. Mai 1938 badge with maker information, and two further insignia. From the Weimar Republic to the pre-war Third Reich in one group.

Original Deutsches Reich Reisepass issued by Amt Delmenhorst to Minna Harting, with portrait photograph, handwritten personal details and official stamps, valid until 3 May 1934. A named female passport of the early 1930s.

Original Deutsches Reich Kennkarte issued in Leonberg on 27 July 1942 (Kennnummer A 3140) to Luise Sofie Hilber, born 6 May 1921, a commercial assistant, signed “Rexer geb. Hilber Luise”, with fingerprints and official stamps. The photograph field is blank.

Original Deutsches Reich Reisepass issued in Mannheim on 22 December 1932 to Peter Stein, including his wife Marie Stein, with portrait photographs of both, handwritten personal details, a Baden revenue stamp and later travel entries of the 1930s.

Original German interwar-period aviation pin featuring a sailplane in flight beside the famous Fliegerdenkmal at the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön, one of the historic birthplaces of German gliding. Bronze-toned circular badge with surviving horizontal pin fastening, probably dating from the 1930s.

Original Wehrpass issued in Krefeld on 8 August 1939 to Hermann Dewin, born 7 May 1907, with mustering entries of 1939 and 1941 and Wehrbezirkskommando Krefeld stamps. With a loose Wehrpass notice of April 1943 and a French birth extract from Sarreguemines for Armand Dewin.

Group of German badges and medallions of the 1930s and war years: portrait pieces dated 1935 and inscribed “Der Führer dankt”, a Turn- und Sportfest badge, a Tag der Arbeit piece, a bronze-coloured “Wir fahren gegen England” medallion and a cased handshake medal, with a second, empty case.

Original pencil cut signature of Kurt Daluege, mounted on black card and accompanied by a period German newspaper clipping announcing his award of the Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords. The autograph is written on lined period paper and retains a bold, distinctive form. A scarce WWII German political and police autograph display with direct historical context.

Original one-page political document dated 24 September 1938 and personally signed in ink by Martin Bormann. Issued from the Munich office of the Deputy Führer and addressed to the NSDAP parliamentary group in Berlin, the letter concerns former Reichstag deputy Otto Hergt and confirms that no adverse political or personal information had become known about him. Complete with official letterhead, embossed seal, archival folds and a prominent Bormann signature.

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.

German Mother’s Cross in Gold (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter in Gold), the highest grade of the award, with blue and white enamel, gold-toned sunburst and reverse dated 16 December 1938. Natural patina, light wear and small enamel imperfections.

Original OKW document dated Berlin, 15 December 1944, marked “Abschrift 2” (copy no. 2): a supplement to an OKW report on defensive fighting near Frauenburg in Kurland, naming a Württemberg grenadier battalion and the 19th Volunteer Division under Gruppenführer Streckenbach.

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 period black-and-white photographic image personally signed in blue ink by Josef “Sepp” Dietrich. The scene shows Dietrich standing directly behind Adolf Hitler beside a railway carriage, with Robert Ley apparently visible at the right. Dating from the 1936 Nuremberg Party Rally period, the image is mounted on grey card and preserved on a period album page.

Original signed card by Simon Wiesenthal, dated 9 December 1976, with a small portrait photograph and typed name. A clear, large signature in blue ink, connected to Holocaust remembrance and the pursuit of post-war justice.

Five German badges and pins of the 1930s: a 1 Mai 1938 Tag der Arbeit badge marked Ferd. Wagner, Pforzheim; a gilt-coloured Hitler portrait badge inscribed “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer”; a 1938 referendum-type badge; a geometric radial badge; and an oak-leaf stickpin. Untouched age and wear.

Six German badges, mostly dated 1936: a 1 Mai 1936 badge marked M. Gechsler & Sohn, Ansbach; a blue and white “Rhön 1936” gliding badge; a “Freiheit und Brot – 29. März 1936” badge; a Hitler portrait pin; and two further insignia. Original pins and maker markings visible.