Lot 216

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Description:

PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS GROUPING OF K.I.A. OBERSTLEUTNANT RUDOLF GRASS
Good grouping of identity documents and photographs, all related to Austrian Heer Oberstleutnant Rudolf Grass, includes: Grass'' wehrpass, 52pp. 12mo., listing his extensive military service, beginning with his enlistment on Aug. 1 , 1914 and his service during World War I with the Austrian Army. The wehrpass also notes his receipt of several awards, most notably the Second and First classes of the Iron Cross, awarded May 21, and June 1, 1940 respectively. Most interestingly, the Wehrpass indicates that Grass was killed in combat on July 29, 1941 at Balta in the Ukraine, while in command of the 326th Regiment of the 162nd Infantry Division. Also present is a typed D.S., 1p. 4to., Vienna, Oct. 6, 1941, Grass'' death notice, again indicating that he was killed on July 29, 1941 in the Ukraine. It further lists his hometown of Karlsbad, his birth date, his religion as Catholic, and the names of his parents. It is signed at the conclusion by a registrar. An additional typed document, 1p. oblong 8vo., [n.p.], Oct. 30, 1941, bears Grass'' obituary, in part: "... through his noble disposition and exemplary diligence, acquired the love and reverence of the divisional staff, and the appreciation of the whole division. With the successes of the division in the Western campaign in 1940, his name will remain linked forever. Already wounded in the World War as a young officer of the Austro-Hungarian army, he now found the hero''s death in the fulfillment of a true German soldier''s life...". The collection is rounded out by 28 b/w photographs, 5 1/2" x 3 1/4" and smaller, depicting Grass throughout his military career, beginning with a 1910-dated view of him as an Imperial Army cadet, and extending through his interwar service with the Reichswehr and to his wartime Wehrmacht service. All photos show him in uniform with a variety of medals, alone or in the company of other officers or soldiers, with only two showing him with civilians, including his parents and brother Roland, also an officer. Also present with the above collection is a "Meldungsbuch" ("message book"), 17pp. 8vo., utilized by Rudolf Grass'' brother, Roland, while a student at the University of Graz. The inside front cover includes an identity photo, showing Roland in his military reserve uniform. A fine, comprehensive collection offering more details of one particular soldier that usually seen.

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September 13, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
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
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