Lot 833

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Description:


Naval pennant, 21.5 x 58 in., constructed of two bars of white and black cotton bunting, salvaged from the 'Aviso Grille', a Kriegsmarine dispatch boat used in the mid-1930s as a state yacht by Adolf Hitler. The hoist is fashioned from an added strip of white canvas, with a sewn-in rope with a loop at one end. One end of the hoist bears an ink stamp, which reads 'N-P-6-6'. Some spots of staining, else very good. We are unable to determine the date this item was created, or the time period it was used aboard the 'Aviso Grille', though wear-and tear and soiling to the hoist hint that the piece is likely original to the vessel from Hitler's time. These pieces were taken from the 'Aviso Grille' when she was scrapped at in New Jersey in 1951. Sold with a copy of a notarized letter of provenance from the son of the original owner, who notes: '...My father...was a close friend with the owners of the Doan Salvage Yard [where the vessel was sold for scrap in April 1951]. The yard owner personally invited him to the yard and gave him the opportunity to purchase items still aboard the vessel. My father selected a number of important relics and souvenirs, including the items being sold with this letter...These items have remained in the possession of my family since the day my father purchased them from the Aviso Grille...' This copy of the original letter of provenance is again initialed by the consignor at bottom, and is witnessed by our auctioneer. Fine condition. The Grille was a dispatch boat built in Nazi Germany for the Kriegsmarine in the mid-1930s, for use as a state yacht by the dictator Adolf Hitler and other individuals in the Nazi regime. 'Aviso Grille', would entertain the the highest echelons of the Nazi administration and military. Her 30+ staterooms housed guests including Benito Mussolini, Hermann Goring, Joseph Goebbels, Miklos Horthy, Hess, and many others from Germany and the Axis countries. Hitler was the most frequent visitor, showing off his ship and usually spending three or four nights on board. On May 1, 1945 Grand-Admiral Donitz announced the death of Hitler from the foredeck of the vessel.

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October 29, 2020 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