Description:

RUDOLF HESS' 'BLOOD ORDER' BADGE
A superb, most important personality piece, Party Secretary RUDOLF HESS' personal "Type 2' Blood Order Badge, presented to him by Adolf Hitler on November 9, 1933. The 46 x 42 mm. sterling silver hollow-stamped badge bears a fineness mark '990' and the maker's mark 'Jos. Fuess Munchen'. The obverse shows the Feldherrnhalle surmounted by an eagle before a partially-obscured swastika, all flanked by laurel branches with individually marked '1923' and '1933'. At bottom appears the slogan: 'UND IHR HABT DOCH GESIEGT' ('AND YOU HAVE WON'). The reverse bears the dedication in block letters: 'PG R. HESS MUNCHEN 9. NOV. 1933' above a facsimile engraving of Hitler's signature. A tapered vertical pin with barrel hinge is fitted to the reverse. Only four other examples are known of this commemorative or prototype issue: that of Heinrich Himmler (depicted and described among others by Jorg Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, supplemental volume, pp. 218), that of Emil Maurice (referenced by K. D. Patzwall in 'Militaria', no. 1, vol. 24 Jan/Feb 2001, p. 9), Hitler's personal exemplar (Hermann Historica, Auction 59, 15 April 2010, lot 7269) and that of Johann Singer (Hermann Historica, Auction 63, 29 October 2011, lot 4073). According to a letter by Maurice, these badges were issued on the tenth anniversary of the Putsch to members of 'Storm Troop Hitler' and those closely associated with the Putsch as well. However, at the beginning of 1934, Hitler approved a new design for the Blood Order and on Feb. 11, 1934 he decreed that the wearing of this 'unofficial' issue was forbidden. Of the five known surviving examples, Hermann Historica has auctioned three since 2010: Hitler's example in 2010, Johann Singer's example in 2011, and Rudolf Hess' badge (this example) in 2013. The other two examples are engraved to Emil Maurice and Heinrich Himmler. The Emil Maurice badge was featured in the January/February 2001 issue of Militaria magazine, in an article by Klaus D. Patzwall. Jorg Nummergut's 2001/2002 edition of 'Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945' referenced the award on Page 218, as the Hermann Historica catalogue mentioned. In his Feb. 16, 1962 letter, Maurice stated that this award was commissioned of Josef Fuess and awarded only to members of 'Stossgruppe Adolf Hitler', as well as political leaders convicted and jailed with Hitler after the failed coup. However, it should be noted for accuracy that Himmler was neither a member of Stossgruppe Adolf Hitler, nor was he convicted for participating in the Putsch, but he was certainly involved in the uprising and was on the scene as events unfolded. Additionally, in 1933 when Hitler awarded these badges, it would have taken the powerful SS leader Himmler little time to convince Hitler that he was 'deserving' of one. Additionally, by 1933 all surviving Stossgruupe Adolf Hitler members were reporting directly to Hitler. A most important medal of incredible rarity. Ex: Hermann Historica, 2013.

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December 5, 2024 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