Description:

KNIGHTS CROSS AWARD WITH MAPPE AWARDED TO GENERALLEUTNANT ERICH REUTER
A superlative Knights Cross of the Iron Cross award document with mappe issued to future Generalleutnant ERICH REUTER (1904-1989), Rolf Loeffler, 4pp. 13.5 x 17 in. on parchment, 'Fuhrerhauptquartier' [Berlin], August 17, 1942. The ornately-lettered document is accomplished in India ink and gold with an artist-applied and fully authorized signature of Adolf Hitler at bottom, as was most often the case in later Knights Cross awards. Produced at the workshop of the brilliant bookbinder and decoration designer Frieda Thiersch. In fine condition. Sold with the presentation leather folder ('mappe'), just the very slightest bit wavy but like the document in otherwise very fine condition. Of special interest is the fact that the document and mappe are accompanied by the original protective tissue paper which separated the document from the mappe, and the exceedingly rare paper box with lid in which the document was sent to Reuter. Only a few examples of the original box are known to exist, box bears the original brown manufacturer's tape at the corners of both the top and bottom boxes, the right side of the bottom box with corners unfixed, for easy removal of document mappe. Several of the corners have been nicely mended with traces of reinforcing glue. Reuter's name appears in light pencil on the top end of the box's top lid. A sticker from the British auction house 'C. R. Fenton & Co. Ltd.' was applied to the top lid many decades ago. Award documents for the Knights Cross are rare, despite the fact that Hitler granted over 7,000 of them. A severe backlog soon developed—and in the end, very few recipients of the award ever received their large award documents (or 'Gross-Urkunden'). This is the finest such example we have offered, and is especially desirable having been given to a future general and Oak Leaves recipient. ERICH REUTER was awarded this Knights Cross as Oberstleutnant and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 122. During the battle of Sevastopol, his regiment was able to take the vital so-called Spethohe on the June 25, 1942. The capture of this hill was vital for the continued advance of the division, as it was only from here that observation into the town of Tschernajatal was possible. This success allowed the division to employ its heavy weapons (especially artillery) in the area to full effect. Reuter had already been recommended for the Knight's Cross on account of his already having captured the heights at Cornesti (July 5-12, 1941), fighting well at Holercani and lastly for his actions against the Stalin Line. He would also receive the 710th Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross on 21 January 1945 as Generalmajor and commander of 46. Infanterie-Division. Very rare original award document, document mappe, and original issue box, all in magnificent condition.

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June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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