Description:

HAKOAH VIENNA JEWISH SOCCER TROPHY SWORD
Unique presentation sword, 33 in. blade and 40 in. overall, awarded in recognition of the sport club Hakoah Wien winning the 1925 Austrian soccer championship. The sports club was founded in 1909 and was comprised of entirely Jewish team members, justly named ‘Hakoah', meaning ‘the strength' in Hebrew. Despite garnering worldwide support for their athletic feats, the club still often faced anti-Semitism during their travels, and they were forced to use their own wrestling team as a means of security. The 1925 soccer championship for which this sword was created was reportedly quite an exciting one, with the goalkeeper breaking his arm, switching positions with a forward player, and then scoring the winning goal a mere seven minutes later. Unfortunately, all the appreciation they earned could not save them from the mounting persecution of the era, and they were eventually disbanded in 1938, with the NSDAP even appropriating their stadium. Many members of this team would not live through the war, meeting a brutal end in concentration camps. The sword offered here bears a wooden grip, tightly wire wrapped and with a five-bar basket-style hilt. The gilded inscription on the blade reads: ‘Honorary award from the armorer Graffer' on one side and ‘Championship of Austria 1925' on the other. This presentation sword is suspended from a chain which is connected to the sword by metal loops that clasp blade and cross guard. The decorative suspension chain is bridled and bears a folded piece of gilded fabric featuring the Jewish Star of David motif. Some expected tarnish to the sword, otherwise very good. A fascinating relic associated both with a story of perseverance and also tragedy.

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*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 25, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, 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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000