Description:

THE SINKING OF THE GRAF SPEE
EUGEN MILLINGTON-DRAKE (1889-1972) British Minister in Uruguay at the time of the battle, engaged his opposite number in the German Embassy, Otto Langman, in a 72-hour diplomatic battle of wits that hastened the demise of the Graf SPEE. The battleship, battered during a running fight in the Plate estuary on Dec. 13, 1939, had been put into Montevideo for repairs. Drake forced its ouster from the harbor on Dec. 17 which led to her scuttling. This fascinating group comprises a large grouping of typescripts, partial typescripts, typed drafts, interviews, research and period newspaper clippings all related to the Battle of the River Plate and the ultimate sinking of the famous pocket battleship, perhaps 50-60pp. in all, written in preparation for the issuance of Drake's publication 'The Drama of Graf Spee and the Battle of the River Plate'. Included is: a 6pp. summary of the publication; an interview between merchant ship Capt. Patrick Dove, a victim of the Graf SPEE, with Graf SPEE's Capt. Erich Langsdorff; messages sent between Langsdorff and his superiors; 29pp. of typed drafts for Millington-Drake's article; an account of the escape from confinement in Uruguay; an account of a reunion of British survivors of the battle; about ten period newspaper articles, a copy of the Admiralty report on the battle,1940; and an 8pp. illustrated brochure on Millington-Drake's speeches on the battle. Overall good to very good.

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June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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