666. KARL DONITZ AND THE SURRENDER OF GERMANY KARL DONITZ (1891 - 1980) German admiral who headed the U-Boat arm of the German Navy, later succeeded Hitler as Fuehrer after Hitler's suicide. A superb grouping of material concerning Grand Admiral Donitz and the surrender of Germany, includes: S.P. 5" x 7" b/w, a chest, up portrait of the admiral in uniform, bearing a post-war blue ink signature at bottom, a Grossadmiral's flag [likely Donitz's], approx. 40" x 40", cotton, showing his device at center upon a field of white, stenciled at flagmast edge in black ink: "Gr Adm Fl Gr 2 100/100", a few tiny, scattered moth holes, an enormous, battleship-sized Kriegsmarine war-service flag, just about room-sized, with all appropriate markings and roping; three period photographs, varying sizes, showing the British agents responsible for transporting Donitz by submarine to London for questioning, along with the signatures of ten of the agents; original 8" x 6" newsphoto with tag on verso showing Donitz, Jodl and Von Friedburg being advised of their being taken as prisoners of war; original 5 1/2" x 4" newsphoto with tag on verso showing Donitz, Speer and Jodl following their arrest; the last public message of Nazi Foreign Minister GRAF SCHWERIN VON KROSIGH, a typed souvenir D.S., 2pp. legal folio, 1960, the text of his last message to the German people signed at conclusion; an S.P. by ALBERT SPEER, 8" x 10" b/w, a second-generation image of Speer and Donitz, signed by Speer in 1987; a Kriegsmarine (and so marked) blue and white linen placemat; and a scarce World War II Reichsmarine officer's presentation dagger with brass ornamental sheath, 16" overall with silver cloth knot, the polished steel dagger by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen displaying a finely-wrought battleship on one side of the blade, and an eagle, swastika and anchor on the other side. There is a very slight bit of wear and oxidation at the hilt of the blade, likewise on the scabbard, else generally very good, and a printed, calligraphied text of the German surrender, May 9, 1945, signed in facsimile by Donitz at bottom, framed. Overall very good condition. $4,000 - 5,000