Lot 691

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Description:

REICHSEHRENMAL TANNENBERG MEMORIAL PHOTO ALBUM TAKEN FROM THE REICHS CHANCELLERY
Handmade leather presentation album with forty 8" x 10 3/4" b/w photographs which document the modernization of the Tannenberg memorial and conclude with the re-interment of Paul von Hindenburg's coffin within the new crypt on October 2, 1935, the anniversary of his birthday. Thius same album was taken from the ruins of the Reichs Chancellery by an American officer at war's end and shipped home. The photos insided the volume bear the backstamp: "Schmoelz Foto Koln", the Cologne studio of noted architectural photographer Hugo Schmoelz. Very good condition. The Tannenberg Memorial commemorated fallen German soldiers of the second Battle of Tannenberg in 1914, which was named after the medieval battle of the same name. The victorious German commander, Paul von Hindenburg, became a national hero, and was later elected Reichspresident. Dedicated by Hindenburg on the 10th anniversary of the battle of Tannenberg in 1924 near Hohenstein. When Hindenburg died in 1934, his coffin and that of his wife were placed there despite his wishes to be buried at his family plot in Hanover. Adolf Hitler ordered the monument to be redesigned and renamed "Reichsehrenmal Tannenberg". As the Red Army approached in 1945, German troops removed Hindenburg's remains and partly demolished key structures. In the 1950s, Polish authorities razed the site, leaving few traces. Our consignor's father was the chief of staff, American Headquarters, Berlin Air Command, from June to August, 1945. During this period, he had the opportunity to "liberate" several volumes from the Reichschancellery, specifically Hitler's offices and those adjoining. This example is one of those volumes. Two photographs have come loose from their pages due to the drying of the mount, but are present, else fine. With a copy of the consignor's notarized letter of provenance.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 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
$100,000 + $10,000