Description:

Finely-executed hand-carved wood bust, approx. 14" x 9 3/4" x 5 1/2", depicting a determined Wehrmacht soldier in profile with his helmet. The reverse of the bust bears the carved, stylized initials of the sculptor, with the date "4. 42". Most interestingly, his left-hand soldier bears a plaque engraved with the dedication: "Zur Erinnerung an dem Heroischen Kampf um Stalingrad Unvorstellbar der Mut, die Tapferkeit und das stille Heldentum unserer Gefallenen und Verwundeten Helden. Unseren Kämpfern zur ewigen Erinnerung Unseren Kameraden der 14. Panzer Division" ("In memory of the heroic struggle for Stalingrad and the unimaginable courage, bravery and quiet heroism of our fallen and wounded heroes. To our fighters for the eternal remembrance of our comrades of the 14th Panzer Division). The dedication closes with the engraved signature "Grams". The bottom of the piece shows a threaded hole where it was mounted during carving, as well as some indistinct pencil inscriptions in German. Shows tight cracks along the grain at the helmet and breast, with an approx. 1"partial chip to the bottom front edge, else very good. The 14th Panzer Division took part in the invasions of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union as part of Army Group South. It was destroyed during the battle of Stalingrad but was reformed in Brittany, and ended the war entrapped in the Courland Pocket. ROLF GRAMS was the author of the definitive history of the unit, "Die 14. Panzer-Division 1940-1945". Very little biographical information about him is otherwise available, but he is believed to have served with the Division.

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July 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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