Lot 758

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Description:

ADOLF HITLER AUTOBAHN COMMEMORATIVE SHOVEL
Very rare and most desirable relic from the construction of the Autobahn, a shovel almost certainly presented to FRITZ TODT at the groundbreaking for the construction of that important roadway system. The 43 1/2" long shovel bears a polished steel plate reading (in German): "UNDER ADOLF HITLER'S GOVERNMENT THE FIRST EARTH FROM THE REICHS AUTOBAHN". An oak T-shaped handle is secured to the blade with four rivets. The handle also bears carved oak leaves and is marked: "PIONEER RIDAL". It is further marked: "PIONIER GUSSSTAHL 2", with a makers mark in the form of a man with a shovel over his shoulder. Upon examination it is clear that this shovel was lightly used at some point in time, undeniably at the groundbreaking where on Sep. 23, 1933 Hitler was joined by other dignitaries in commencing construction on the first part of the historic building project at Frankfurt. One spade, used by Adolf Hitler at the ground-breaking, was given as a gift to Willy Hof, a German industrialist and traffic planner, and it is now housed at the German Museum of Technology. A second spade was presented to Fritz Todt who was largely responsible for the construction of the roadway. Its whereabouts since the war have been unknown, and since only two spades were made for the event, it is clear that this example was likely the one gifted to Todt. A rare historic relic.

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August 24, 2016 10:30 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 + $10,000