Description:

A fine collection of seventy-nine pieces of silverware nearly all engraved with the middle coat of arms of the city of Bremen, ca. 1940s. This lot includes: six fruit forks and six fruit knives, each approx. 7 in. long and featuring the Bremen coat of arms at the end of each handle. Each piece displays the stamp ‘Wilkens' for the maker and ‘800' for the silver content; WITH eight teaspoons, 5 in. long, twelve demitasse spoons, 4 in. long, and six soup spoons, 7 in. long, each displaying the Bremen coat of arms encircled by filigree. The demitasse spoons only bear the silver purity mark of ‘800' while the teaspoons and soup spoons hold the maker mark for ‘Wilkens' and a silver content stamp of ‘750'; WITH six dinner, fish, and salad forks, ranging from 7.25 to 8 in. long. All of the forks present the Bremen coat of arms at the end of the handle along with filigree, with the salad forks being slightly more decorative. On the reverse of each piece is the maker-mark for ‘Wilkens', and the silver content of ‘800' for the dinner and fish forks, ‘750' for the salad forks; WITH six dinner knives, 10 in. long, six salad knives, 8.5 in. long and seven fish knives, 8 in. long, all with the Bremen coat of arms and a filigree pattern on the handle. The salad knives have been marked with a silver content of ‘750' while the dinner knives are ‘800'. The fish knives differ from the rest with a filigree pattern that extends from the handle down the length of the blade and display the maker mark ‘Wilkens' and a silver content of ‘800' on the reverse; WITH a serving spoon, 8.5 in. long, identical to the previous spoons with the Bremen coat of arms and filigree at the handle and marked ‘Wilkens' on the reverse with a silver content of ‘750'; WITH two fish forks, 7 in. long and a fish knife, 8.25 in. long, all featuring the letter ‘B' at the end of the handle, possibly for Bremen. All three pieces hold a silver content of ‘800'. Conditions vary, with some pieces in near-perfect condition while others are heavily tarnished. Presented in a dark wooden chest, 12 x 7.5 x 4 in. The total weight of this set of silver is approx. ten pounds. This lot was received by us from the estate of Lt. Col. Bion Welker through his granddaughter. BION WELKER (1894-1981) was a U.S. Lieutenant Colonel who convinced 350 SS troops to surrender in Paris without a shot. He later accompanied British forces into the city of Bremen where he also served as military governor from 1945-1946.

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Shipping

*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.

January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
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