Description:

ERWIN ROMMEL'S 1939 HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPH FILE
(1891 - 1944) German field marshall whose Afrika Corps threw back repeated British and American assaults in North Africa, later he defended Normandy and ultimately was forced to commit suicide due to his implication in the Hitler bomb plot. Superb and excessively rare Rommel relic, his green file folder, holographically labeled, "Sept.-Oktober 1939", containing 52 b/w photographs from that period, the vast majority taken by official Nazi photographer Heinrich Hoffman, with the balance taken by Walter Frentz. 1939 was a pivotal year for Rommel: then a colonel, he had been appointed to lead the Führerbegleitbattalion, Hitler's personal protection detail. In September 1939, Rommel accompanied Hitler and the rest of the German High Command to the Polish Invasion front in Hitler's armored train. Rommel continued to impress Hitler, and personally organized a hero's welcome and parade for Hitler upon their return to Berlin. Rommel ultimately used the opportunity to ask Hitler for command of a Panzer Division and proceeded to immortalize himself in leading the Afrika Corps. This photo file is Rommel's personal record of this important period: the photographs record Rommel's accompanying of Hitler to the Polish front. Lot includes five 3" x 5"- 6" x 8" b/w Hoffman photographs with Rommel's holographic notes [mostly untranslated] on verso, including the words, "Frankfurt Sept. 1939", and, "5.10.39"-- the date of Poland's surrender. Other important photographs include: Rommel, Goebbels, and others traveling inside Hitler's train, Rommel touring the front with Hitler, Hitler and Rommel receiving a tour and briefing of the destroyed Polish armored train PP 13 General Sosnkowski, Rommel looking on while Polish peasants are forced to salute Hitler, Japanese officers present at the Polish front, and one Afrika Corps funeral photograph. Photographs are in very good to fine condition; the file folder has marginal separations, folds, and slight soiling on verso. One of the most important Rommel lots ever offered at auction.

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January 21, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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