Lot 374

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Description:

GERMAN INVASION OF POLAND BRIEFING BOOK AND MAPS
A rarity we've never encountered before, a set of twelve maps, briefing book, and cloth slipcase, some numbered and all marked 'SECRET!', issued by the German Army General Staff in Berlin in advance of the Sep. 1, 1939 invasion of Poland. In addition, some of the maps have been marked-up, indicating that they were used in planning and/or operations. Included is a red cloth-covered book numbered '4729', title: 'Military-Geographical Description of Poland', 437pp. 8vo. (Berlin: General Staff of the Army), 1939. It contains the names and brief descriptive data and many hundreds of Polish towns and cities, with another section of the book offering street maps. Verious fold-out maps are spread throughout the reference showing airports, rivers, etc. The back of the guide has many dozens of photographs of river banks, city centers, bridges, etc. The 12 maps included all vary in size. One of the largest, that of Warsaw, 33 x 33 in., shows over one hundred important buildings, factories and facilities in the city, and the map bears a few pencil additions, largely circles at key intersections. Other maps include an 'Industry Overview' of Poland showing the location of key industrial facilities and items manufactured or mined thereat, with a second map showing these facilities around Kattowitz; road and railroad maps of the country; a map dividing the country into small numbered segments; and individual maps of the cities of Lodz, Kattgowitz, Krakau, Gnesen, Hohensalza, Kallisz, and Konigshutte showing barracks, hospitals, gas staions, post offices (for telegrams), rail crossings, etc. A few maps bear a few fold splits, the book is fine. All fit into a red cloth and heavy board slipcase, splitting at the seams. Overall very good. While we have encountered plans for Operation Sea Lion - the invasion of England - this is the first such time we have seen plans for the invasion that started World War II.

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December 7, 2021 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