Der Rittmeister Militaria, LLC, Imperial German Merchandise Page 31: Documents Nr 2: Award Documents, Patents, Promotion Patents, Urkunden, Paper Only. Updated: 10 April 2008. Contact us @: rittmeister@earthlink.net

Click here for Links to our Merchandise & Content Pages. This is just a sample of the wide variety of high quality items that we offer in our ever changing inventory!

Now you can search for items that interest you on Der Rittmeister Militaria's Website by keywords or phrases.  Simply type the word (s) or phrases into the Locate Item(s) space below, then click the Search button to the right.  This will generate a list of appropriate pages containing the items you want.

New items on Bala's Bargain Bin, our clearance page, effective
14 August 2007!!

AND INTRODUCING our NEWEST Sale Page:

Kyri's Kurio Korner, featuring great little items from a
cute little cat -- at reduced prices! Effective 14 August 2007!!

We now have an office in Germany 0049 (0)4104-962028!!

We are offering a 10% discount on all items on this page. You MUST mention the discount when you place the order!

Award, Officer Patent, Misc. Documents

 

 

19-115 RED EAGLE ORDER 2^nd CLASS AWARD DOCUMENT SIGNED - KING WILHELM I (LATER KAISER WILHELM I) OF PRUSSIA. This is a very interesting award document (urkunde) for the Red Eagle Order 2^nd Class. It is the earliest award document we have ever offered [with the exception of award documents for the 1813 Iron Cross 2^nd Class signed by King Friedrich Wilhelm III, the grandfather of King (later Kaiser) Wilhelm I]. This document was signed by King Wilhelm I on 18 January 1863. The recipient was Dr. Albert Sigismund Jaspis, the Generalsuperintendant of Pommern in Stettin (1809-1885). The award was actually for the Red Eagle Order 2^nd Class with Bow. The use of the bow was a unique addition to the Red Eagle Order, which marked the recipient for the award of a higher class at a later date. The format of the document is identical to that which was used until the end of the Empire in 1918. $450.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-41 RED EAGLE THIRD CLASS WITH BOW AWARD DOCUMENT SIGNED BY KAISER WILHELM I - PRUSSIA. This is an award document (Urkunde) for a Red Eagle Order 3rd Class with Bow. It is personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia. The award was made on 19 December 1878. It was made to Oberst Louis Lust, who was the Kommandeur der Haupt-Kadettenanstalt s. Abb. The document measures 12 3/4" x 9." It has a very clear signature in black ink by Wilhelm I. The document’s obverse features Prussia’s embossed seal. The document has been folded in quarters, but remains in very fine condition, even at nearly 130 years old! $425.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-49 FRAMED BRAVERY CERTIFICATE - INFANTRIE-REGIMENT Nr 392 - SAXONY. This is a custom-framed bravery certificate from Infantrie-Regiment Nr 392, a Saxon regiment. This is a unique document in that it recognized brave action that was not recognized by the award of a 1914 Iron Cross 1st or 2nd Class. It is my understanding that written awards of this type were very uncommon in the German Army. The document is multicolored and very ornate. It measures 16" x 10." It is in a custom, modern frame that measures 22 1/4" x 16 1/4." A cutout window appears at the top with the regimental designation. Two impressively brooding eagles flank a 1914 Iron Cross at the top. The style of calligraphy is quite ornate. Many of the first letters of words are penned in gold ink. The award was presented on 15 August 1917. The document was awarded to Gefreiter Richard Kohlisch, who served in Kompagnie Nr 11 of Infantrie-Regiment Nr 392. The document bears the regimental stamp for IR 392, and the signature of the Regiment’s Kommandeur, a Major. The final touches at the bottom of the document include a K-98 Mauser, two hand grenades (potato mashers), and a stahlhelm. Some light water staining appears in a couple of places. This is a really interesting document that is ready to hang on your wall. $350.00  

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-42 OFFICER’S PROMOTION PATENT SIGNED BY KING MAXIMILIAN II - BAVARIA. Maximilian II (1811-1864) was Bavaria’s third king after Napoleon created a new royal house for it. Maximilian ruled from 1848-1864. He was followed by his son Ludwig II (a. k. a., Mad Ludwig). This mini grouping includes a black and white lithograph of Maximilian II, along with his basic vital information. The second item in our mini grouping is an Oberlieutenant’s (yes, this is the correct term!) Promotion Patent. His name is Friedrich Braun. The promotion took place in 1849, the second year of Maximilian II’s reign. Along with the various signatures is the King’s very elaborate and ornate seal. It measures 4" in diameter. It has been affixed to a separate piece of paper, which has in turn been affixed to the promotion document. The document measures 13 ½" x 8." It is in marvelous condition for being almost 160-years-old. $350.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

19-116 AUTOGRAPHED LETTER - QUEEN AUGUSTA (LATER KAISERIN AUGUSTA) - PRUSSIA. Augusta (1811-1890) was the Queen of Prussia and later Empress (Kaiserin) of Germany. She was the wife of Wilhelm I, and grandmother of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Prior to her marriage to Wilhelm I, she was a Princess of Prussia and Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. This is a one-page-letter written by her on 15 February 1851. The letter of thanks was to Kommerzienrat Julius Wolff-Meyer. This is a very rare letter written by hand by the future Empress. $195.00

 

 

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

19-118 AUTOGRAPHED LETTER - ALBRECHT GRAF von ROON. Albrecht Graf von Roon (1803-1879) was the War Minister of Prussia during the Franco-Prussian War. This is a small letter that features his bold signature at the document’s bottom. A small part of the upper left corner has been clipped. It looks like the area where the date may have appeared. $125.00

 

 

 

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

19-119 AUTOGRAPH - PRINZ ALBRECHT VON PREUßEN. This is a clipped autograph (a clipped signature from a document or letter) of Prinz Albrecht von Preußen (1809-1872). Albrecht was the younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm I. He was a General der Kavallerie in the Prussian Army. The clipped signature is boldly signed by the Prinz, and displays his rank immediately below. $95.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-03 GROUPING OF DOCUMENTS (PROMOTION PATENTS AND AWARD DOCUMENTS) TO CONSTANTIN WILHELM ALBERT MÜLLER,WHO ACHIEVED THE RANK OF GENERALLEUTNANT. Constantin Wilhelm Albert Müller was an officer who served more than thirty years in the German Army. Early in his career he was a Pionier (Pioneer means engineer), who commanded various units of the German Engineers Corps. As his career advanced, he stepped away from the command of engineers. He ultimately commanded infantry formations. In 1916 as a Generalmajor he commanded a Landwehr Brigade in the 4. Armee. Today we offer a group of documents that follow his career. Five different Promotion Patents cover his various promotions from Premiere Lieutenant to Generalmajor. Each of these very elaborate documents is personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. In addition to these Promotion Patents, we have two sets of military orders for Müller, also personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. If that were not enough, we have two documents awarding Müller decorations, also signed by the Kaiser. The final documents was signed less than three weeks before the end of WW I, by which time Müller had achieved the rank of Generalleutnant. Also included is a signed document awarding him the Iron Cross 1^st Class, which is signed by the Commander of the 4. Armee, a Generaloberst. The final document is for the award of the Kaiser Wilhelm I Centennial Medal. Below in greater detail are the documents included in this grouping:

Document for the Kaiser Wilhelm I Centennial Medal signed by the Inspector General.

16 March 1893. Promotion Patent to Hauptmann from Premiere Lieutenant in the Pionierkorps signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

12 September 1902. Promotion Patent to Major from Hauptmann in the Pionierkorps signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

20 April 1909. Promotion Patent to Oberstleutnant from Major in the Pionierkorps signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

17 Mai 1910 document as an Oberstleutnant signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

17 Mai 1910 Military orders appointing him as an Oberstleutnant of Pioniers signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

18 January 1911 Award document for the Prussian Crown Order 2^nd Class signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

22 March 1912. Promotion patent to Oberst from Oberstleutnant in the Pionierkorps. Signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

8 September 1913 Orders appointing him as Oberst in charge of Pioniers on the Staff of XV Armeekorps signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

24 December 1914 Promotion Patent from Oberst to Generalmajor as Commander of Pionier troops in the XV Armeekorps signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

17 January 1916 Document awarding the 1914 Iron Cross 1^st Class to Generalmajor Müller, who was commanding Landwehr-Brigade Nr 11 in the .4 Armee. This document was signed by the Commander of .4 Armee, a Generaloberst.

23 October 1918 at the General Headquarters. Generalleutnant Müller is awarded the Order of the Red Eagle Breast Star 2^nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords, signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II less than three weeks before the end of the war.

This is an amazing group of documents, which while covering a lengthy military career, has no less than NINE original signatures of Kaiser Wilhelm II, covering the period of March 1893 through October 1918. This is a rare opportunity to acquire the Promotion Patent of a general officer, plus many good signatures. $2,995.00. . .

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-10 DOCUMENT GROUPING TO GENERALMAJOR MAX SCHULENBURG. This is a document and photo grouping for Generalmajor Max Schulenburg. This large file has many photos of Schulenburg, his family and colleagues. The assortment is wide. Most of Schulenburg’s portrait photos date from 1934 to 1936. One is also included of him in uniform as a WW I general. Many photos appear of the young woman whom he married in 1934 (this was probably his second wife). Her name was Mathilde Rosenkränzer. Pictures of her as a young girl, alone and with what appear to be her siblings, are enclosed, as well as some photos of her relatives. From some of the included documents, she was related to some well-known scientists who published academically  (evidence of which is included). At least one of these academics was a woman. Unfortunately for Mathilde, the General died in March of 1937. Their marriage had lasted barely three years. Included in the more personal items are the wedding announcement, telegrams congratulating the happy pair, the death notice, telegrams of sympathy to the widow, and even a 1944 document from an antique dealer appraising some items for the widow. An elaborate award document for one of the Rosenkränzer professors is also included, along with some academic zeitschriften on chemistry and geology. Furthermore, several documents are enclosed that delineate the various family genealogies in extensive detail. Most fascinating of all is an elaborate document from 1815, mounted on an elegant piece of cardboard and bearing a wax Prussian seal. It may be a confirmation document for one of Schulenburg’s forebears.

Some of the General’s documents include the following:

Promotion Patent to the rank of Portopee Fähnrich of Fußartilleree-Regiment Nr 4. dated June 1883. Schulenburg had been an unteroffizier.

Promotion Patent from Portopee Fähnrich to Second Lieutenant while serving with Fußartilleree-Regiment Nr 4. This promotion took place in September 1884.

Promotion Patent for Second Lieutenant to Premier Lieutenant (1^st Lieutenant or Oberleutnant). This took place in April 1892, while Schulenburg was still assigned to an      artillery regiment.

Promotion Patent to Hauptmann, dated May 1898 and personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Schulenburg was still assigned to an artillery regiment.

Accompanying orders to his Promotion Patent to Hauptmann, also from May 1898, also personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Promotion Patent to Major, dated May 1906 and personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Promotion Patent from Major to Oberstleutnant, dated October 1912, while in the Fußartilleree. Personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Accompanying orders also dated October 1912, also personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Several documents from the various military schools Schulenburg attended.

This wonderful grouping includes FIVE bold signatures by Kaiser Wilhelm II. These alone are worth the price of the grouping. A mountain of material here awaits deeper exploration. Schulenburg died in 1937. As best as I can decipher, he was born in 1863 and spent more than thirty-five years in the army. $1,795.00 

(Click here for more images)

 

06-126 AWARD DOCUMENT GROUPING TO ARTHUR HAY.  I have been holding onto this document grouping for more than three years. I kept it partly because it is extremely interesting. Another reason: it took a long time to familiarize myself adequately with its contents so I could describe it. It concerns a Prussian officer with the unexpected name "Arthur Hay." Hay went from an Unteroffizier in 1886, to at least the rank of Oberstleutnant in 1917. He started in the cavalry and served in both Ulanen, Hussaren and Dragoon regiments prior to the war’s outbreak. He achieved the coveted rank of Rittmeister well before the war began in 1914. As best as I can make out, he went from the cavalry to the infantry [as the war developed, most cavalry fought as dismounted troops. WW I showed once and for all that mounted troops were outmoded]. He served as an infantryman until the end of the war. I do not know his final rank, but he may have gone on to be an oberst, or possibly a general. I will leave this as part of the fun for the eventual buyer researching this man. Hay served at least THIRTY years in uniform. He survived the war and even received the Hindenburg Cross in 1935. There are no less than SIX Promotion Patents, covering him from the ranks of unteroffizier up to major. Each of these patents is very ornate and hand printed by a skilled calligrapher, with special seals. Also in this grouping are many award documents. Of his three wartime decorations, we see the documents for his 1914 Iron Cross 2^nd Class and his Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Hohenzollern House Order (HHO). The latter document is signed by the Graf Zeppelin, prior to his death in 1917. I have never seen his signature on an award document; having it on an HHO document is a real plus! There are a couple of other documents that I have not described which enhance the grouping. Below is a listing of this amazing grouping’s contents:

Promotion Patent: from Unteroffizier to Portopee Fähnrich, dated 13 November 1886.

Promotion Patent: from Portopee Fähnrich to Second-Lieutenant, dated 17 September 1887. [I find this interesting, note the old-fashioned use of the French rank: "second-lieutenant"].

Promotion Patent: from Second-Lieutenant to Premier-Lieutenant, dated 14 November 1895. I again find it interesting, the old-fashioned use of the French ranks second-lieutenant and premier-lieutenant.

Promotion Patent: from Oberleutnant to Rittmeister, dated 10 September 1908, personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Why he has a second document for this same rank, I do not fully understand.

Promotion Patent: from Rittmeister to Major, dated 17 September 1909, again with the personal signature of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Award document for the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Hohenzollern House Order, dated 20 May 1917 while Hay was an oberstleutnant. It is signed by Graf Zeppelin!

Award document for the Prussian Crown Order 4^th Class, dated 12 May 1901.

Award document for the Red Eagle Order 4^th Class, dated 11 May 1908.

Award document for the Kaiser Wilhelm I Centennial Medal.

1914 Iron Cross 2^nd Class. The document is double-dated. The date 3 November 1914 appears, which is the document's original award date. The document was prepared on 5 June 1916. This either is the document's reissue date, or they were correcting an oversight.

Award document to the Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, dated 12 March 1917.

Award document for the Hindenburg Cross for Combatants, dated 1935.

A helpful reader has done some additional research on Arthur Hay. As you can see from the list below, published research shows that this man eventually achieved the rank of Generalmajor at his retirement in 1919. He was born in 1866 and died in 1940. I only wish that the additional three patents were available. This is still an amazing group and there is an opportunity for further research. This is a wonderful grouping following the very successful military career of a young man who came up from the ranks. It includes two signatures from Kaiser Wilhelm II, and a signature from the legendary Graf Zeppelin. We have received some interesting details on this officer from a sharp eyed reader who has done some research. In the book "Hussars and Mounted Rifles....." by D. H. Hagger on page 30 there is a photograph of Oberleutnant Hay as a member of Hussar Regiment Nr 9! It is wonderful to put a face with the name. We thank Chris F. for his research and dilligence!

Sekondelieutenant: 17 Sep 1887

Premierlieutenant: 14 Nov 1895

Rittmeister: 21 Sep 1898

Major: 17 Sep 1909

Oberstleutnant: 24 Dec 1914

Oberst: 6 Nov 1917

Generalmajor aD: 1919

$2,495.00

(Click here for more images) {Be Advised--MANY images, allow time to load}!!!

 

31-15 DOCUMENT GROUP FOR AN OFFICER SERVING IN GARDE-ARTILLERIE-REGIMENT. This is an interesting document grouping that covers nearly forty years of an officer’s service in the Prussian Army. It is for an officer named Adolf Werner. This man saw action in two wars (1866 and 1870). He even saw service in Germany’s Chinese colony. Included in the grouping are the following:

 

 

Document for the Cross for Combatants at the Battle of Königgratz, where the Prussian shattered the Austrian forces on 3 July 1866. At this time Werner was assigned to a Garde-Artillerie-Regiment.

Document for the Combatants Medal for Service in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. At this point Werner was still serving in a Garde-Artillerie-Regiment.

Promotion Patent dated 18 December 1895. It appears that he was assigned to a post with the Army High Command or the War Ministry. This document is boldly signed in ink by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Over his signature is a large and impressive embossed stamp showing the Prussian Coat-of-Arms.

A transmittal letter for a decoration that I cannot decipher, dated 1899. It comes from the castle at Charlottenburg in Berlin.

Award document for the Non Combatant (in "Steel") Medal for Service in the Chinese Expedition. This document is dated 24 February 1901. Documents for the Combatant and Non Combatant Medals for the Chinese Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion are VERY difficult to find.

Transmittal letter and award document for the Red Eagle 4^th Class from 1904. The transmittal letter is on the stationary of the General-Ordenskommission and bears the signature of the head of the Ordenskommission. The official address of the offices of the Ordenskommission was at Wilhelmstraße 63.

Two additional transmittal documents from the Ordenskommission later in 1904. I cannot tell the purpose of these two documents, but these were prepared at the palace of Charlottenburg in Berlin.

This is a fine set of documents to a man who served three Kaisers. A very scarce signature from Kaiser Wilhelm II is included on an officer’s patent. $1,495.00   

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-46 DOCUMENT GROUPING - MAJOR EDUARD ROTZOLL. This is a fascinating document grouping for Eduard Rotzoll, who achieved the rank of major near the end of WW I in 1918. As you will see below, the grouping contains three different Patents for Promotion, along with other assorted documents;

 

Promotion Patent for the Rank of Leutnant to Oberleutnant, dated January 1906. At this time Rotzoll was serving in Infantrie-Regiment Nr 61.

Promotion Patent for the Rank of Oberleutnant to Hauptmann. This promotion is dated December 1911. He was still with Infantrie-Regiment Nr 61 at the time. The patent is personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. His signature is large and boldly signed in black ink. At the time, Wilhelm II personally signed all patents for the rank of hauptmann and above.

Promotion Patent for the Rank of Major from Hauptmann. This document was prepared on 25 February 1918. Here we can see the difference between prewar and wartime documents. Its basic format was changed to save paper, while the caliber of the paper itself visibly declined. The document’s printing was degraded as well. Also, due to the great increase in army officers themselves, the Kaiser no longer signed the patents-- at least at the major’s level. At this time, Rotzoll was attached to Infantrie-Regiment Nr 155.

Graduation Document from German "High School." Rotzoll was born in 1876 and graduated in 1893 from the German equivalent of the USA’s high school. It is a large-format document, measuring 13" x 8 1/4."

Appointment to Portopeefähnrich (Fähnrich). A document issued by the Ober-Militär-Examinations-Kommission in March 1895 that shows Rotzoll has passed all of the requirements, is appointed a Portopeefähnrich (Fähnrich) and posted to Infantrie-Regiment Nr 61. A Fähnrich essentially was a cadet or officer candidate. He was not yet a full-fledged officer and still had to prove himself worthy of promotion to leutnant. This document was signed by a Generalleutnant.

Approval as Full Officer. This is another document from the Ober-Militär-Examinations-Kommission, issued later in 1895. It shows that he is now fit to become a full-fledged officer. After this pronouncement he was in line to receive a Patent and promotion to leutnant. This document was signed by a Generalleutnant.

This is a fine grouping of early documents that shows Eduard Rotzoll becoming an officer candidate, then follows his promotions all the way to major. It is an excellent set, including one original signature of Kaiser Wilhelm II. $375.00  

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-29 AWARD DOCUMENT - KNIGHT’S CROSS WITH SWORDS OF THE HOHENZOLLERN HOUSE ORDER. This is the original award document (Urkunde) for the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Hohenzollern House Order. The award document has holes punched in the side where it was attached in a file about this man. Furthermore, the document is attached to a stiffer piece of paper for mounting. The award was presented to Bruno Hühlke. The award was made 31 January 1918. This decoration, which was awarded for valor to officers, was the second-highest that Prussia awarded. It generally was awarded after the 1914 Iron Crosses 1^st and 2^nd Class, and before the Orden Pour le Mérite. This is a very difficult document to find. $995.00 

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-30 1914 IRON CROSS 2nd CLASS AWARD DOCUMENT AND POSTWAR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION. This is a mini grouping of two documents to a single man. The first is an award document for the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class. Felix Kuhfe served with Reserve Infantry-Regiment Nr 30 in Kompagnie Nr 9 which usually was the reserve company, and the company from which replacements were taken for the other companies that had sustained casualties.  The award is dated 6 January 1917 and is signed by the commander of the regiment, a major. The other document is dated 29 November 1919. Essentially, it is a letter of recommendation from Kuhfe’s prewar employer. The letter notes that he was employed with them from 6 November 1911 until 1 August 1914, when he was called to service. The letter is on the letterhead of the firm by which he was employed, F & W. Hendrichs. They were located in Ohligs.  $125.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-36 DOCUMENT GROUPING - DOCTOR WHO SERVED IN WWI AND WW II - BAVARIA.

This is a mini grouping of documents for a doctor who served in WW I and WW II. This man’s name was Richard Stumpf. He was a Bavarian, born in Wurzburg in 1886. The documents include:

 

Document for the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. The document is dated 22 May 1920. The document was signed from the office of Bavarian Feld-Artilierie-Regiment Nr 3.

Document for the Army Wound Badge in Silver for three wounds. This document is dated 27 May 1919 and was signed by the Regimental Commander of Bavarian Feld-Artilierie-Regiment Nr 3, who was by this time an Oberst and not a Hauptmann.

Document for the Golden Wedding Anniversary Medal for King Ludwig III. This document is dated 1923.

Document for the Hindenburg Cross with Swords for Combatants. This document was awarded 18 April 1935.

Document dated 14 August 1940, which recaps Stumpf’s service in WW I. It also mentions his award of the Army Silver Wound Badge and the Hindenburg Cross with Swords. Interestingly, it makes no mention of his award of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class as referenced above.

It is a very fine grouping of documents to an officer. The most interesting documents are for the post WW I award of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class and the Silver Army Wound Badge. $295.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-38 AWARD DOCUMENT - WAR SERVICE CROSS 2nd CLASS - BRAUNSCHWEIG. This is an award document for the War Service Cross 2nd Class from the Duchy of Braunschweig. The award was made to a Rudolf Kahler on 1 March 1917. The document measures 13" x 8 1/4." The War Service Cross 2nd Class was Braunschweig’s equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class from Prussia. The document is infrequently seen, since the decoration was awarded in relatively small numbers. It is a fine example. $195.00

 

(Click here for more images)

 

16-134 XJB DOCUMENT GROUP TO A PILOT. This grouping is offered on consignment. This is an intriguing document group to a man who served as a pilot and squadron commander during WW I. Included in the grouping are the following documents, all for Hermann Krüger:

Promotion Patent for 2. Rheinisches Feldartilleree-Regiment Nr 23 garrisoned in Coblenz. Krüger was promoted to leutnant on 27 January 1910.

Award document for the 1914 Iron Cross 1^st Class. This is a very ornate, large document, as the award for the Iron Cross 1^st Class came on 21 August 1915, barely a year after the war began. Krüger was the Führer of Feld-Flieger-Abteilung Nr 41. This document was signed and bears the unit stamp of a General der Infantrie (equal to a three-star general in the U.S. Army), who commanded the XXVI. Reserve-Armeekorps. This document has been folded. It has some tears where the document has been folded. They have not been repaired.

Award document for the Albert Order Knight’s Cross 1^st Class with Swords. At this time Krüger was a hauptmann and commanded Feld-Flieger-Abteilung Nr 41. The document is dated 10 May 1917. It is signed by the King of Saxony, Friedrich August. This is a very high-level award and a bit unusual, since usually this decoration was awarded in the 2^nd Class.

Document for the award of the Commemorative Pilot’s Badge (often referred to as the Retired Pilot’s Badge). At this time Krüger was assigned as the gruppenführer of Flieger 9. This document is dated 24 February 1918. This is a very rare document. It is personally signed by the commander of the Imperial German Air Service (Der Kommandierende General der Luftstreikräfte), Generalleutnant Ernst von Hoeppner. The document bears his bold signature, along with the rubber stamp for his office and command.

It is difficult to find even one document to a man who was an aviator and squadron commander. To find four of them, with three of the four being for awards and badges, is a real treat. The star of this group is the VERY rare document signed by von Hoeppner. It is challenging enough to find the Pilot’s Badge award document. To unearth one for the even rarer Commemorative Pilot’s Badge, and have it signed by the commander of the Imperial German Air Service is a stunning surprise. $2,495.00 .

(Click here for more images)

 

 

31-04 DOCUMENT GROUP TO AN OFFICER DURING THE REIGN OF KAISER (AND KING) WILHELM I AND KING FRIEDRICH WILHELM IV. This document grouping is for whom I believe is the father of the Regimental Commander featured in grouping #31-05, below. This officer is Adalbert von Falkenhayn. These documents cover a career that spanned the reigns of two kings of Prussia. The documents for von Falkenhayn are noted as follows:

 

Officer’s Patent for a 2^nd Lieutenant, dated April 1849, when he was posted to Landwehr-Regiment Nr 12. This document is very similar in appearance and design to the later ones we see from Kaiser Wilhelm II. This is the earliest officer’s patent I have been able to locate and offer.

Officer’s Promotion Patent to Premiere Lieutenant for Hohenzollern-Siegler. At this time he was assigned to Landwehr-Regiment Nr 24. The document is from 1859.

Long Service Award Document signed by Kriegs Minister von Roon and dated 1861. This is a very desirable signature.

1870-71 Franco-Prussian War Combatant’s Medal Document, while he was a Hauptmann. At that time he was a company commander in Landwehr-Regiment Nr’s 24 and 64.

A document dated 1883 for a further Long Service Award.

This is a splendid older document set from the period of 1859-1883. $395.00 . . .

(Click here for more images)

31-05 DOCUMENT GROUP TO A REGIMENTAL COMMANDER SERVING BEFORE AND DURING WW I. This is a distinctive document group to the son of the officer noted in grouping #31-04, above. Constantin von Falkenhayn followed in the footsteps of his father. This is a wonderful document group of promotion patents and documents for a wide variety of orders and decorations. Included in this group are the following:

 

 

Promotion document personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Von Falkenhayn was promoted from Oberstleutnant to Oberst and assigned to 5. Badisches Infantry-Regiment Nr 113. The document is dated January 1911.

Promotion document to the rank of Oberstleutnant signed by the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Friedrich Franz. Von Falkenhayn was serving in Großherzogl. Mecklenburgisches Füsilier-Regiment Nr 90 Kaiser Wilhelm.

Promotion document personally signed by Friedrich Franz, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Von Falkenhayn was assigned to Großherzogl. Mecklenburgisches Füsilier-Regiment Nr 90 Kaiser Wilhelm. The document is dated May 1902 and is for the rank of Major. The document is very ornate, with a wonderful paper seal attached.

Promotion document personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Von Falkenhayn was promoted from Hauptmann to Major der Infantrie in May 1901.

Promotion document personally signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Von Falkenhayn was promoted from Premier Lieutenant to Hauptmann and company commander while assigned to Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40. The document is dated September 1893.

A promotion patent from the rank of Premier Lieutenant to Hauptmann and company commander dated September 1893, serving in Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40.

Award Document for the Kaiser Wilhelm I Centennial Medal, while assigned to Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40.

Award document for the Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen Für Tapferkeit, signed by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse. Dated 1 April 1915, while serving in Landwehr-Infantry-Regiment Nr 93.

Award document for the Honor Cross 3^rd Class from Schaumburg-Lippe, while assigned to Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40. The ornate document bears a seal for the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe. It is signed by Prinz Georg and dated June 1900.

Award document for the Honor Cross 4^th Class from Lippe-Detmold, while he was assigned to Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40. Very ornate with a seal and dated June 1900.

Award document for the Red Eagle Order 4^th Class, dated January 1900, while assigned to Füsilier-Regiment Fürst Karl-Anton von Hohenzollern (Hohenzollernsches) Nr 40.

Award document for the Red Eagle Order 3^rd Class with Bow, dated June 1913.

Award document for the Friedrich Cross 2^nd Class of Anhalt, dated 23 February 1915.

A note from the commanding General of IX Armeekorps to von Falkenhayn, while assigned to Großherzogl. Mecklenburgisches Füsilier-Regiment Nr 90 Kaiser Wilhelm.

A note in September 1914 to von Falkenhayn, who commanded a brigade that was assigned to Korps V, signed by the commanding General, with a unit stamp.

This is a terrific document grouping that contains personal signatures of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Grand Duke Friedrich Franz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Furthermore, it contains many signatures from other heads of state within the empire. $2,495.00 . . .

(Click here for more images)

(Click here for more images)

22-31 PATENT FOR AN OFFICER SERVING IN GERMAN SOUTHEAST AFRICA SIGNED BY KAISER WILHELM II. This is an ultra rare document that served as a promotion patent for an officer serving in the German colony of Southeast Africa. The officer was Hauptmann Hugo Freiherr von Nordic zur Rabenau. The document was signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 13 September 1911. A quick look at the Rangeliste for 1914-1918 indicates that von Nordic zur Rabenau did not serve in Africa during WW I. I did find mention of two men named Rabenau. One served on a staff and one was with an artillery regiment, but I cannot tell if either was our man (Please see below for additional information on this officer). In the document it mentions twice that this man was attached to the Schutztruppe in German Southeast Africa. The document has been folded in half. It shows a slight separation of about two inches in the fold. All of the information on the document is clear and readable. It sports a very bold signature of the Kaiser. This is an exceptional document. We have received additional information on Hauptmann a.D. (retired) Hugo Freiherr von Nordic zur Rabenau from a regular reader who enjoys doing research. Hugo Freiherr von Nordec zur Rabenau was born 25 October 1873 and was originally assigned to Kurhessisches-Jaeger Battalion Nr 11. After promotion in 1895 he was assigned to the Schutztruppe in German East Africa (Deutsche Ost Afrika) in September 1900. While he was promoted to Hauptmann in 1911 as indicated in the description above he retired from the army in either 1913 or 1914. With the beginning of WW I he was recalled and was a company commander in Reserve-Infantry-Regiment Nr 81. He fell at Vassincourt on the Western Front on 10 September 1914, barely a month into the war. At the time that he fell for the Fatherland, von Nordic zur Rabenau was forty years old. I appreciate this additional information from this reader who has shared his research with us in the past. $650.00

(Click here for more images)

06-127 AWARD DOCUMENT FOR THE MILITARY KARL-FRIEDRICH SILVER SERVICE MEDAL - BADEN. The Military Karl-Friedrich Silver Service Medal was the second highest award given to enlisted men and NCO’s by the Grand Duchy of Baden. As a matter of comparison, both Prussia and Bavaria offered decorations in these grades. In the Prussian Army, its 1^st Class version, the Golden Military Merit Cross, was commonly referred to as the "Enlisted Man’s Blue Max." This large format document, which measures 13" x 8 1/4," was awarded to Vizewachtmeister Paul Gerlach of Feldartilleree-Regiment Nr 193 on 9 May 1917. The document has two horizontal folds and one vertical fold. It also has two holes punched on the side, probably because it was once a part of the man’s files. The document has the stamp of the Grand Duchy of Baden Ordenskanzlei and the signature of the Chef. It appears to be von Babo, but I could be wrong on this point. This is a fine document for a very high level decoration. To give you an idea of the scarcity of this decoration, only 1,282 were awarded during the period of 1914 to 1917, with 589 of these awards made in 1917. (Also, each decoration was engraved with the name of the awardee on the reverse). Included is a handwritten letter with a regimental stamp on it, which refers to the decoration. I have not tried to translate the letter. I cannot say if it was the recommendation for the decoration, a transmittal letter for the decoration, or what. It is an intriguing companion piece to this very scarce document. I would like to direct you to our Orders and Decorations Nr 2 Merchandise Page where you may view an example of this decoration that was awarded during the Franco-Prussian War This is a very rare award document, the first I have been able to offer. $695.00

(Click here for more images)

 

Promotion patent to Second Lieutenant dated 14 December 1889. At this time Siemers was attached to Infantrie-Regiment 82. It lacks Kaiser Wilhelm II’s signature, although Prussia’s embossed seal is present.

Promotion patent for Siemers from the rank of Secondlieutenant to Premierlieutanant. At this level the Kaiser did not sign. Prussia’s embossed seal is present. The document wasprepared  in Berlin on 18 November 1897.

Promotion patent for Siemers from the rank of Oberleutnant to Hauptmann. Siemers was serving in a Landwehr Regiment. The document is complete with Prussia’s embossed seal over Kaiser Wilhelm’s bold signature. The patent was signed in Berlin on 16 March 1905.

Document to Hauptmann Siemers of the Landwehr dated 22 January 1912.

Award document for the 1914 Iron Cross 2^nd Class. While Siemers was still a hauptmann, he was attached to the staff of the X. Armeekorps. This document was issued on 8 August and signed by a generalleutnant, who was the Chief of Staff for the X. Armeekorps.

A total of SIXTEEN other documents deals with aspects of his civilian and early military life before he became an officer. Included are early promotion papers when he was an enlisted man. Also enclosed are civilian papers dealing with his education . . . even a will! This group makes engrossing reading about a man who rose through the ranks to achieved officer status. I see a train of service in the army that lasted nearly forty years. $495.00

(Click here for more images)

06-149 DOCUMENT MINI GROUPING TO A YOUNG NOBLE PRUSSIAN OFFICER. This set of three promotion documents are for an Arthur von Brusse. He was born in 1860. He retired in 1909 as a hauptmann. I have no date of death, or if he rejoined the service after the beginning of WW I. These three documents cover his promotion to Portopee Fähnrich, 2^nd Lieutenant, and Premiere Lieutenant. The documents are as follows:

 

Promotion patent dated November 1880, from Unteroffizier to Portopee Fähnrich. He was assigned to Grenadier Regiment Nr 11 (Grenadier-Regiment König Friedrich III (2. Schlesisches) Nr 11).

Promotion document for Second Lieutenant dated 18 October 1881. He was still attached to Grenadier Regiment Nr 11.

Promotion Document to Premier Lieutenant dated 14 May 1890. Again, he remained attached to the same regiment.

All of these documents are in very good condition. They are very elaborate. They are interesting in that the basic document (or boiler plate) is the same for each promotion of an individual. Only his name, regiment, date, and other details are inserted later by a very gifted calligrapher. If you have not had the pleasure of owning documents like these, they make a fine addition to any collection. $295.00 . . .

(Click here for more images)

31-07 AWARD DOCUMENT FOR THE RED EAGLE 4^th CLASS. This is an award document for the Order of the Red Eagle 4^th Class (Rothen Adler Orden Vierter Klasse). This award was made to a Heinrich Johannes Halke. The award came in 1886, during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm I. The document is signed by an official of the Royal Prussian Orders Commission, more commonly known as the Ordenkanzler. The document measures 13" x 8 1/4," and is quite ornate. It has been folded in quarters. A two inch tear shows at the top of the document where one of the folds was made. $195.00.

(Click here for more images)

06-125 TWO PROMOTION DOCUMENTS (PATENTS) FOR AN OFFICER IN THE PRUSSIAN ARMY. This is a set of two promotion or "patents" to one man in the Prussian Army. The first shows the promotion of a man from vizefeldwebel to leutnant der reserve. It is always interesting to see a man who has come up through the ranks and this was not terribly common twelve years before the beginning of WW I. His name was Wilhelm Fehler. This document was prepared 16 December 1902. There is a second document prepared on 27 January 1912 promoting Fehler from leutnant der reserve to oberleutnant der reserve. Both of these documents are quite ornate. They both measure 14 ¼" x 8 ½ ." The document has four sides, and opens up like a book. Each of the documents has holes punched into its side. Obviously, they were a part of a military record Fehler kept on himself, which was quite common among officers. $195.00. .

(Click here for more images)

(Click here for more images)

06-102 DOCUMENT GROUPING TO AN OFFICER. This is a small, but interesting, document to an acting officer (Offizier -Stellvertreter) who served in an infantry regiment during WW I. The documents in this grouping belonged to Friedrich Kraus, who served in Infantry Regiment Nr 131.

The documents are as follows:

 

Document for the Silver Service Medal with ribbon to the Karl-Friedrich Service Medal dated 15 November 1915.

Document for the Iron Cross 1^st Class dated 7 June 1919 (it is always interesting to see documents for the Iron Cross dated after the end of the war.

Document for the Kyffhäuser Bund issued 22 March 1925.

Document for the Hindenburg Cross for Combatants dated 1 November 1934.

Document for the 25 Years True Service in Silver True Service Badge awarded 14 June 1939.

A lovely assortment of WW I and post WW I documents to a single man. $225.00. .

(Click here for more images).

06-135 AWARD DOCUMENT FOR THE HAMBURG HANSEATIC CROSS. This is a fine example of the award document for the Hamburg Hanseatic Cross. The document is ornate. It was awarded to a man who served in Fußartileree-Regiment Nr 20. The document was signed and issued on 12 November 1918, one day after the end of the Great War. $150.00 . .

 

 

(Click here for more images)

 

(Click here for more images)

06-113 DOCUMENT FOR THE FRIEDRICH-AUGUST MEDAL IN BRONZE - SAXONY. This is a very fine document for the Friedrich-August Medal in Bronze from Saxony. It is dated 30 November 1917. A staff officer by the name of Walter Keller earned it. He served in III. Abteilung Feldartilleree Regiment Nr 279. The document bears the signature and unit stamp for Infantry Division Nr 212. The signature is from a Generalmajor, whose name appears to be Fraucke. This was not an especially high-ranking decoration. It is unusual to see it signed by a generalmajor and Division Kommandeur so late in the war. Keller must have been well-thought-of, since documents such as these would often have been signed by just battalion or regimental commanders. $125.00 . . .

 

(Click here for more images)

06-148 1914 IRON CROSS 2^nd CLASS DOCUMENT IN A FRAME. This is a very early war award document for a man who served in 1. Garde-Reserve-Regiment in the 7. Kompagnie. This document was issued in December 1914, so it is very early war. The document is signed by an oberstleutnant and regimental commander. The document is mounted in a period frame. The latter must be handled with care as it has substantial age. This is a nice document that has been in this frame for 80+ years. $175.00 . . .

 

(Click here for more images).

13-321 NAVY LONG SERVICE AWARD DOCUMENT. This is an award document for a Long Service Award in the Kaiserliche Marine. It is the 1^st Class award. It represents fifteen years of long service. It is signed by a Käptain zur See in 1920. The document still bears the Kaiserliche Marine unit stamping on it. This is a fine Navy document. $110.00 .

(Click here for more images)

06-143 PAIR OF DOCUMENTS TO A SOLDIER WHO SERVED IN SAXON KARBINER & ULANEN REGIMENTS. This is an interesting pair of documents for a soldier (Rudenz Halm) who served in Königl. Sächs Karbiner Regiment before the war. One of the two documents is a certificate of satisfactory service during his two-year enlistment (1910-1912). The document is signed by his company (squadron) commander (chef). The second document is for the award of the Friedrich-August Medal in Bronze, This award was made in January 1918 while the man was assigned to Königl. Sächs Reserve Ulanen Schutzen Regiment. It is signed by the regimental commander, a major. It displays the regiment’s unit stamp. Both documents have been folded. They are most interesting. The Karbiner-Regiment was a very elite mounted regiment in the Saxon Army. It stood just behind the Garde-Reiter-Regiment in terms of status amongst cavalry regiments. The Ulanen-Schutzen-Regiment was a composite reserve regiment formed after August 1914, but was still an elite regiment. Just guessing, I would say it is very possible that Halm was wounded earlier in the war and was reassigned to the Ulanen regiment after his recovery. $125.00. . .

(Click here for more images)