Description:

CITY OF LEIPZIG MAYOR''S CHAIN
Extraordinary "Burgermeister Kette" or Mayor''s Chain, a symbol of office worn by the mayor of the city of Leipzig. The chain is solid silver, and is so marked with the purity mark "835". The chain is very heavy, weighing in at one pound, six ounces, and consists of 35 square links, each emblazoned with the name of a district of Leipzig and the year in which they were incorporated. The chain is joined at the bottom by a suspension device in the form of a triple-spoked wheel, from which hangs a 3" diameter solid silver high-relief medallion constructed in three layers, bearing the coat of arms of Leipzig - a gold shield bearing a rampant lion in black enamel beside two blue enamel bars, atop a mobile swastika, surrounded by the motto: "Das Gemeinwohl ist Hochstes Gesetz" ("The Common Good is the Highest Law"), with the city name "Leipzig" and the date "1937". The reverse of the medallion is hallmarked with a crescent moon and crown, with the silver purity mark "835". The reverse of the suspension device bears the hallmark of a Leipzig silversmith, while the reverse of one square link is hallmarked "10". In 1937, two individuals would have worn this chain as their symbol of office: "Hoch Burgermeister" Rudolf Haake (1903-1945), and deputy mayor Kurt Walter Donicke (1899-1945). It is unknown to whom this particular example belonged. Both men committed suicide in April of 1945, as Leipzig fell to Allied troops. The chain shows expected slight tarnish and wear, entirely commensurate with its age, else very good. A truly unique relic of the Third Reich.

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September 14, 2017 11:00 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