Lot 1110

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Description:

DR. ROBERT LEY''S IRON CROSS AND LABOR-RELATED PINS
A superlative set of relics attributed to DR. ROBERT LEY (1890-1945), Nazi politician and head of the German Labor Front from 1933-45, taken when Ley was captured by soldier of the 101st Airborne in May, 1945. Included in this superlative grouping is Ley''s World War I Iron Cross, Second Class by Sy & Wagner, with Third Reich-era ribbon (probably fitted by Ley); a small gilt Iron Cross decorative pin with opal(?) at center, a 1936 Tag der Arbeit pin, and a Deutsches Frauenwerk pin. Ley had been awarded his Iron Cross as an artilleryman at Verdun, before he became an aerial artillery observer. Ley no doubt cached these items in or near his residence, and they were discovered when the area was searched. As head of German labor, Robert Ley (1890-1945) effectively disbanded the labor unions, making workers tools of the state while enriching himself enormously. He establish the "Strength Through Joy" program to offer vacations to workers, and created the "people''s car", the Volkswagen. At war''s end, Ley went into hiding near Berchtesgaden, but was captured on May 16, 1945 by soldiers of the 101st Airborne acting on a tip. According to newspaper and family accounts, among Ley''s captors was Staff Sgt. Theodore F. Faugh, an intelligence officer attached to the headquarters of the 502nd P.I.R. One Rochester newspaper article ca. mid-January, 1946 states that Faugh not only helped capture Ley, but returned to the U.S. with Ley''s sword. According to a sworn statement by Faugh''s son (included) and corroborated by other family members, Faugh also returned with other items owned by Ley, including the above, which he displayed in his home until his demise. With additional items documenting Faugh''s service.

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February 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
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