Lot 672

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Description:

A fine relic, a German Reichsbahn eagle bearing the national eagle and wreathed swastika, gifted to an Allied colonel towards war's end with ironclad provenance. The eagle, 24 in. wingspan and 13.5 in. top to bottom, bears the 'GAlMgSi' composition marking, a lighter 'A-P A-G' stamp, and a still lighter 'ZA 7 LH' stamp on the verso. This piece was taken from a pair of railway eagles consigned to us and once gifted to Colonel William S. Carr, commander of the 708th Railroad Grand Detachment during World War II. According to a letter of provenance by a direct descendant (included with the lot), both eagles were taken from a train captured by Allied forces in Leige, Belgium in 1945, then remarked and used by the Allies. The eagles were later gifted to Col. Carr in August 1945, then gifted from Col. Carr to his descendant in 1946. Knobs once present on the reverse of these eagles were ground off, so they could be more easily mounted to plaques and presented as awards. Some pitting and light spots of staining throughout, else in fine condition, and much better than usually seen. Sold with numerous original photographs adding further provenance, including an image of Carr's descendant holding both eagles and signing the original agreement, an image of William Carr with the train from which these eagles were taken (the train being marked 'Col. Carr' on the side), an image of Carr bestowing a similar award to a comrade, and others. An increasingly hard-to-find relic, with incontestable provenance. Ex: Hermann Historica

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
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