Historical Collection

Original 1941 Wehrmacht booklet, Tornisterschrift Heft 53, “Schlag nach über die Sowjetunion”, marked “Nur für den Gebrauch innerhalb der Wehrmacht”. A compact reference on the Soviet Union’s territory, population, state, armed forces, economy and history, as presented to German soldiers in 1941.

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.

German Faithful Service Decoration for 40 years (Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen für 40 Jahre), gold grade, with blue ribbon in triangular mount. Gilt cross with black enamel centre; reverse inscribed “Für treue Dienste”.

German Mother’s Cross in Silver (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter in Silber) with blue and white enamel, ribbon, and reverse inscribed “16. Dezember 1938” with the facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler. A civil award of the Third Reich period.

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 pre-WWII German political propaganda group comprising a marked 1936 Adolf Hitler Reichstag ballot paper, a 1933 “Deutschland wählt Hitler!” election pencil, an “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer” Hitler portrait badge and a dated “Ja – 12.11.1933” referendum badge. A visually impressive historical set documenting the political consolidation of the Third Reich before the Second World War.

Original pre-WWII German political propaganda group comprising a marked 1938 Anschluss referendum ballot and a dark wooden “Deutschland wählt Hitler!” election pencil. The ballot asks voters to approve the annexation of Austria into the German Reich and support Adolf Hitler’s unified Reichstag list. A powerful historical set connected with Nazi expansion, political propaganda and the events that preceded the Second World War.

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 WWII German judicial document dated 28 June 1940, issued by the Adjutant’s Office of the Reich Governor in Vienna and addressed to the Graz Regional Court. Signed by an official catalogued as Gauamtsleiter “Dietrich,” the letter concerns Otto Kortschak’s death sentence and a petition for clemency addressed to Adolf Hitler. The reverse bears an official reply from the Special Court in Graz dated 3 July 1940.

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 German military appointment document dated 22 November 1934 and personally signed by Defence Minister Werner von Blomberg. Issued on official “Der Reichswehrminister” stationery, it assigns army chemist Dr.-Ing. Richard Scholle to the German Army administration and places him with military gas-protection training courses. A significant pre-WWII document from the final months of the Reichswehr.

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.