Description:

SEATING CHART FOR HITLER'S DINNER WITH JAPANESE MINISTER MATUSOKA
A superb association piece, an annotated seating chart for a dinner at the Reichschancellory on Mar. 28, 1941 after Hitler's historic meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matusoka and during which Germany pledged support of Japan in the event of a Soviet attack. The chart, 10.25 x 17 in., shows a total of five tables, with four tables separate seating six guests each, who include Funk, Schmundt, Lammers, and von Below. The central table seats 28 powerful NSDAP figures such as Goring, Goebbels, von Ribbentrop, Keitel, Rosenberg, Bormann, von Leeb, Kesselring, von Kluge and others. Japanese guests at the main table include Envoy Matushima (who sits next to Goring); a Japanese lieutenant general (seated next to von Brauchitsch); and Envoy Sajuma (next to Keitel). Other Japanese guests include Ambassador Sakuma, Member of Parliament Kuboi, Captain Yokoi, and Frigate Captain Fujii. Foreign Minister Matsuoka, interestingly, does not appear! Arrows have been penciled-in to indicate that von Kluge and Kesselring switch seats so that Kesselring now sits next to Bormann, and von Kluge next to Rosenberg. Another note corrects the spelling of Councilor Saigonji's name. Murmurs of a future German-Japanese alliance against the Soviet Union already circulated with the signing of the 1936 Anti-Comintern Pact. However, Hitler strained Germany's relationship with Japan by signing the 1939 Non-Aggression Pact, which essentially rendered null the 1936 pact. Nonetheless, Japan would sign the Tripartite Pact of 1940, allying her with Germany and Italy to form ‘Axis' and, in 1941 - with the impending German invasion of Russia in Operation Barbarossa - Hitler sought to ensure Japanese support by promising aid if the Soviet Union were to invade Japan. However, less than one month after this dinner, on April 13, 1941, Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact. The first article in this treaty focused on ‘maintain[ing] peaceful and friendly relations' between the two countries and ‘respect[ing] the territorial integrity and inviolability' of each country. As for Germany, Hitler would launch Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941 and while Japan offensives into the eastern USSR during this time might have resulted in the defeat of the Soviet Union, Japan now concentrated her efforts on the Pacific and in preparing for the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, six months later. A central fold, marginal wear and a tear at right, and light toning to edges. Still, very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

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.

November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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