Lot 532

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Description:

A fine archive of photographs and documents related to the work and family of notable Third Reich sculptor KURT SCHMID-EHMEN (1901-1968), who designed monumental "reichsadler" eagle sculptures for the German Pavilion at the 1937 Paris Exhibition, the Reich Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg and the "Fedherrnhalle", and is credited with originating the design. The lot includes a group of seven approx. 6 1/2" x 8" photographs featuring bust images of Gauleiter and Deputy Prime Minister of Bavaria ADOLF WAGNER (1890-1944), showing his head from the back, sides and various diagonal views. The photographs are printed on period-correct Agfa-Brovira paper, and all are smeared with traces of grey clay, indicating that they were used by Schmid-Ehmen as artist's references during the sculpting of a bust of Wagner. The sculptor's finger and thumbprints are clearly visible in the clay on two of the prints. A second group of six b/w photo prints, ranging in size from 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" to 7" x 9 1/2", shows the resulting bust of Wagner as both the clay original and the final bronze copy, all again printed on period Agfa-Brovira paper. Additional period photos include a 12" x 15 1/2" print of Schmid-Ehmen's sculpture "the Spear Carrier", which was later purchased by Adolf Hitler, unfortunately marred by a heavy horizontal crease; a 3 3/4" x 3 1/2" b/w snapshot showing the monumental "reichsadler" at the Nuremberg rally grounds under construction; two 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" snapshots showing Schmid-Ehman viewing two additional sculptures; a 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" snapshot showing Adolf Wagner with an unidentified woman; a 3 1/2" x 4" snapshot showing two unidentified women, likely Schmid-Ehmen's wife and mother; and a 6 1/2" x 7 1/2" b/w/ photo portrait presenting a bust view of Schmid-Ehmen, likely taken immediately postwar. The lot is rounded out by three documents related to Schmid-Ehmen and his family, includes: T.D.S., 1p. oblong 8vo., Munich, May 29, 1945, Hetty Schmid-Ehmen's "Ausweis" issued by the American captors of the city one month following its fall. The document lists her place and date of birth, her residence, and her profession as a pianist. Her identification photo is affixed at top right, and the mayor of Munich signs at the conclusion in pencil. Shows a vertical fold at center with some splits, with notable chips to the edges, else very good. WITH: partly-printed D.S., 1p. oblong 12mo., Munich, July 6, 1945, a slip confirming that Kurt Schmid-Ehmen has registered himself with the police; and a war-date insurance card for a woman, on which Hetty Schmid-Ehmen is listed as the holder's employer. Several modern prints of photos showing Schmid-Ehmen and his work are also present. Overall, a fine grouping giving insight into the working process of one of the most notable sculptors of the Third Reich.

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November 19, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$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