Lot 1162

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Description:

ADOLF GALLAND'S PILOT BADGE (REPLACEMENT REPRODUCTION)
Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge owned by ADOLF GALLAND (1911-1994) German fighter ace of World War II and general of fighters, awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. A fine quality reproduction of two-piece construction and exhibiting two rivets on the reverse where the eagle has been attached, maker marked on the reverse of the eagle ‘B. & N. L.' Galland was well known for gifting multiple copies of his pilot's badge 'worn in the Battle of Britian' to honor friends and Allied aces, to satisfy requests for them to have the opportunity to own a piece of history, that was also personally owned by him. Of course, he never represented them as reproductions, not did he tell anyone that he was giving out multiple pieces to appease the many requests. This particular example is one of the several reproductions Galland handed out postwar, this one given to Russell Huff. The lot is accompanied by several letters of 'provenance' from Galland himself, and between Greg Fuselier, a friend of Galland's, and the original owner of this item Russell Huff, in letters ranging from 1991-2004. Galland's letter reads in part: ‘...From September 1938 thru July of 1940, I served as a military pilot and squadron leader...later as a commander of the Third Squadron Fighter Group 26...The enclosed Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge is from this period...' Letters from Fuselier read in part: ‘...During my almost twenty year association with Galland much has transpired, including further gifts of Luftwaffe Pilots Badge stickpins, and numerous pictures...What we could do to soften the financial blow...sent the photo album and documents to Galland...Enclosed are copies of a few of Wilhelm Galland's material...Keep it for future documentation if we score the Pilot's Badge...Let this statement serve as an attestation relative to the enclosed Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge. (Hallmarked B. & N. L.) belonging to former Luftwaffe General Adolf Galland. The transaction was made possible, due to the fact, that early in 1993, I was able to secure a photograph album and four documents belonging to Galland's brother. Select copies of the aforesaid are in your possession...It was suggest[ed] that perhaps some form of trade between all parties might be generated. Early in 1994 I was finally able to persuade General Galland to part with a period Luftwaffe Pilot's Badge, in exchange he would receive the album and documents in question...Decided that I would trade the badge to Russell Huff in exchange for two WWII era wings...transaction would solely take place in secrecy between Russell Huff and myself...' The 1994 letter from Huff reads in part: ‘...I have been working on the memorabilia of Luft. Lt. Gen. Adolf Galland. This collector Greg Fuselier of Casper, WY, knew the General in Germany after WWII...Fuselier had found Wilhelm Galland's...albums and documents...In return, Fuselier asked for two specific items, the Battle of Britain era Pilot badge...These two pieces did arrive in the United States in April, 1994 after much communication...' Very good condition.

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June 15, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, 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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000