Description:

A LIFE PRESERVER FROM ADOLF HITLER'S YACHT, THE "AVISO GRILLE"
Excellent relic from Adolf Hitler's yacht, the "Aviso Grille", a life ring which was aboard the veseel during her service during the Third Reich and until she was sold for scrap. The 28" diameter kapok-filled life preserver still has the rope hand-holds encircling it. It was overpainted in red and white after its capture by the British and the name "GRILLE LONDON" was painted in black block letters on one side. A later owner carefully removed some of the paint on the other side to reveal the life preserver's original lettering: "Aviso Grille" in blue and black Gothic lettering on a white background with blue trim. Overall this relic remains in very good condition. Accompanied by an original 1971 letter of provenance on a First National Bank and Trust Co. letterhead from Beverly, NJ in which the signer states that he personally removed the life preserved from the yacht when it was being broken-up and explains that the black lettering was undertaken while the vessel was in British hands and used for training. Grille was built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg and was commissioned in May, 1935. In May 1936, she conveyed Hitler and Admiral Erich Raeder in the fleet parade at the dedication of the Marine Memorial and in October , 1936 she transported Field Marshal von Blomberg on an official visit to Norway. The next official use was in October 1937, transporting a Wehrmacht delegation to England for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Inbetween, the vessel was apparently used a few more times by Hitler for entertaining state visitors and others. At war's end, the Grille was seized by Britain, and later sold to private owners in the United States in 1947. She was broken-up in New Jersey in 1952.

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August 24, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000