Lot 856

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Description:

SILVER CHARGER PRESENTED TO ADOLF HITLER
A superb Hitler relic, an engraved silver salver or platter presented to Hitler by the Stahlhelm League of Front Soldiers of Hamburg in honor of his famous speech made at a rally in Hamburg on Sept. 23, 1933, during which he publicly acknowledged the importance played by the German Army in his rise to power. The striking 16" dia. charger is made of 800 or German silver with hallmarks of Louis Werner on verso, and engraved in German on the front: "To our Leader, the People's Chancellor Adolf Hitler, in memory to of 23rd September 1933 in Hanover". According to Alan Bullock's study Hitler: A Study in Tyranny, p. 249, and in Baynes Vol. 1, p. 566, Hitler announced during this speech that: "...we would particularly remember the part played by our army, for we all know well that if, in the days of our revolution, the Army had not stood by our side, we would not be standing here today...". The "Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsaldaten" (Steel Helmet, League of Front Soldiers), was an organization of German WWI veterans founded in 1918. Initially anti-revolution and led by older veterans, the Stalhelm was somewhat conservative in nature and ideology but still held nationalistic, anti-Weimar elements. It became increasingly radicalized throughout the 1920s and 1930s, eventually merging with and then subordinated by the SA. In 1933, the Stahlhelm became part of the NSDAP-DNVP coalition and was formally dissolved in 1935. With a letter of provenance from the wife of the American officer (regrettably unknown) who personally removed the charger from Hitler's Munich's apartment at Prinzregentenplatz 16. Hitler had moved to Munich in 1919 to avoid the draft, and permanently lived here untill 1933. The apartment was also the site of the notorious Geli Raubel suicide. On April 30, 1945, the American 45th Division entered and liberated Munich. Upon hearing of Hitler's suicide, troops entered and occupied the apartment. It was during this time that the charger was acquired with the blessing of the Fine Arts Commission, along with other works of art and personal effects. The charger is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the wife of the American soldier to her son "Beau" dated Jan. 29, 1985, advising him of how his father came to own the charger, in part: "...I'm enclosing the snapshot of Hitler, Chamberlain & intepreter [ included] that was in Hitler's Munich apartment where your father's Hdqtrs were. The Fine Arts Commission came through & returned all the sculptures, paintings & other objets d'art that belonged to museums, etc. to their rightful owners. Most still had the identifying marks on them, & some had to be traced. The Americans occupying the apartment were told that anything that bore Hitler's name...was available for 'liberation'. Your father got permission to take the tray & two vegetable dishes (one covered) presented to Hitler by Sophie Stork on two of his birthdays. She was a china decoration artist...The permission was granted because Hitler had no heirs & was dead. Hope this helps - my love - Mama...". With protective felt bag - interestingly from B. Altman, New York. Very good condition.

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January 21, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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