Lot 652

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Description:

An excessively rare SS relic with impeccable provenance, a cradle once gifted to SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer FRITZ DARGES (1913-2009), recipient of the Knight's Cross and adjutant to both Martin Bormann and Adolf Hitler. The carved wood presentation cradle, measuring 36 in. long x 24 in. wide x 26 in. tall, bears typically mythic and Germanic engravings throughout. Constructed of varnished hardwood, the exterior of one side panel bears the etched surname 'Darges', with a runic symbol representing 'protection' engraved beneath the first letter 'D' to form a floral design. The opposing side panel bears the etched verse: 'Dreifach ist Deine Ewigkeit...in Deinem Blut...in Deinem Volk...in Deinem Kindern' ('Your Eternity is Threefold...in Your Blood...in Your People...in Your Children'). The upper side panel bears the etched label 'Gewidmet: Pz.W.Kp.SS. Pz.Rgt.5.' ('Dedicated to Panzerwerkskompanie SS Regiment 5'). The lower side panel bears a stylized swastika in relief, labeled 'Julfest...Im 6. Kriegsjahr 1944' ('Yule in the Sixth War Christmas 1944') at top and bottom. The crib rests upon two original curved 'rockers', which can sway without difficulty. The base panel - upon which the infant would lie - is regrettably absent. The entire piece is lightly worn from age and use, with some scratches and some faded colors from light exposure. The engraved sections on the upper and lower side panels, as well as the rune on the side, retain their original wood color, and small pinholes nearby suggests these areas were covered to protect them from light exposure. Wooden pegs towards the extremities of each panel can be removed for disassembly (not attempted by us); one peg fits quite loosely, yet this does not impact the integrity of the structure. According to an original letter of provenance, written in October 1997 and signed in ink by Darges, '...the cradle was a gift from the Panzer-Werkskompanie SS Rgt 5, in whose workshop the cradle was also made [at this time, Darges was the commander of the 5th SS Panzer Regiment within the 'Wiking' division]...the cradle was stolen from my apartment in Berchtesgaden at the end of the war and, via a few detours, ended up in the hands of the current owner. It was inspected by me and I hereby confirm the authenticity of this piece. Photo and video recordings were made to support this statement.' Along with the letter, this lot is sold with: four photographs of an elderly Darges with the crib; a VHS tape, and a CD copy, of an interview with Darges discussing the crib; and an opened envelope bearing Darges's mailing sticker, addressed in his hand to a previous owner. A truly bizarre one-of-a-kind SS relic.

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Shipping

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, 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 + $10,000