Description:

DR. FRITZ TODT PRIZE IN SILVER WITH AWARD DOCUMENT
Very rare grouping to include the Dr. Fritz Todt Prize in Silver, along with the award document bestowing the honor. Included is a fine example of a Dr. Fritz Todt Prize in Silver, constructed from a silver washed die-struck zinc alloy base, enhanced with a chemical blackening. The obverse features a large closed-winged eagle perched upon a pedestal which reads: 'Dr. Fritz Todt'. A mobile swastika surrounded by a cogwheel appears at bottom. The solid back reverse bears the appropriate oval plate nickel-silver catch with oval plate steel barrel hinge and tapered, silvered pin. It measures approximately 2 5/8 inches tall by 1 5/8 inches wide. The badge is unmarked. It is presented in fitted blue leather hinged case with clasp, though the case bears no name for the award and thus appears to be a replacement. Also present is the original award document in presentation folder, 17.25 x 12.5 overall (opened). On left appears a printed message signed in type by Adolf Hitler and dated Feb. 8, 1944 expressing the importance of the award: '...In the future, special inventive achievements should receive visible recognition as an expression of the creative power of the German people...The Volksgemeinschaft is of outstanding importance because of the improvements it achieves in weapons, ammunition and Wehrmacht equipment as well as because of the savings achieved in manpower, raw materials and energy. The main factors taken into account are the extent of the inventive achievement, the personal commitment of the person being honored and the value of the invention for the Wehrmacht and the economy...The prizes are usually awarded on September 4th, the birthday, and February 8th, the anniversary of the death of Reich Minister Dr. Todt...'. This particular award was bestowed upon Dr. Fritz Becker, as the document at right indicated, and it is hand-signed by FRIEDRICH KARL FLORIAN (1894-1975) who boldly signs the document at bottom. The document is set into a beige cloth folder folder with gilt trim. The folder and gilt trim are slightly worn, and Hitler's message bears some underlining, else very good. In addition to being Gauleiter of Dusselforf, Florian was an SA-Obergruppenfuhrer and Reichstag member. During the war, he lived a lavish lifestyle and at the end, sent underarmed Hitler Youth as cannon fodder against American tanks. An unrepentant Nazi, in the postwar years he was a member of the Naumann Circle, which sought to infiltrate the new federal government. Also present are four contemporary letters to Becker congratulating him for receiving the prize, which they note was awarded for his work in 'incromination' and the 'BDS-Inkrom' process, ie: chromizing steel, as well as an unrelated award of the War Merit Cross, 2nd Class given to 'Dr. Phil. Gottfried Becker', no doubt a relative. Overall fine - a rare grouping indeed! To honor Todt's memory, Hitler instituted the Dr. Fritz Todt Prize on Nov. 12, 1943 as an award to industrial personnel who had made a significant contribution to the war effort. The award came in three classes: gold, silver, and steel, depending on the value of the work for the war effort. In addition to the award itself, a monetary benefit was also given to the recipients.

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November 30, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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