Der Rittmeister Militaria, LLC, Imperial German Merchandise Page 19: Photos: Signed Photographs and Documents, etc. of Imperial German Military, Aviation, Royalty. Updated 3 May 2008. Contact us at: rittmeister@earthlink.net

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Signatures of Imperial German Royalty

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20-55 FRAMED & SIGNED PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH OF WILHELM II - PRUSSIA. This is a very nice framed portrait photograph of Kaiser Wilhelm II. it is a truly marvelous photograph and shows him wearing what I believe to be the pickelhaube of a Garde Kürassier Officer. The photograph in its matting shows the name of the Royal House photographer. Below that is a large bold signature of Wilhelm II in pencil which is dated 20 July 1900. The frame is of period manufacture with a fair amount of age to it. The frame, which shows a partial gilt trim, measures 13 1/2" x 10 1/2" while the image measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". The reverse of the frame shows the name of the manufacturer and there is a very simple hanger at the top of the frame to hang it from the wall. Overall condition is quite nice and this would make a nice addition to a collection of royalty. $995.00CW

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20-97 FRAMED OFFICER’S PATENT WITH THE SIGNATURE OF KAISER WILHELM II. The signature of Kaiser Wilhelm II is always sought-after by collectors. His bold and distinctive signature is handsome. When seen on a complete Urkunde or Promotion Patent, it makes a wonderful way to have a signature of Germany’s third and final Kaiser. Today, we offer an attractively double-matted presentation of a document bearing Wilhelm II’s signature. The document is for a Hauptmann von Busse, who had served as a premier (forerunner of an oberleutnant) lieutenant in Füsilier-Regiment Prinz Heinrich von Preußen (Brandenburgisches) Nr 35. This regiment was founded in 1813. Along with his promotion he was posted to Grenadier-Regiment König Friedrich III (2. Schlesisches) Nr 11, which was founded in 1808. Doing a spot of research, I believe I have found our man in the 1914-1918 Rangeliste. There was an Oberst Busse, who served as the Adjutant of XX. Armeekorps. He later retired from the army as a Generalmajor a.D. The document is dated 15 November 1894 and bears the bold signature of the Kaiser. We can see a slight smudge in his signature’s ink. Alongside his signature we see the large embossed coat-of-arms for the House of Hohenzollern. The document appears in its own double matted "window." A black and white lithograph of Wilhelm II is displayed in a second "window." Below that is a third window with the Kaiser’s name. The custom-framed presentation (modern-day) measures 21 ½" x 19 ½." As an historical aside, most Officer Promotion Patents for the rank of hauptmann and above were personally signed by the Kaiser. Those below that rank generally were not signed by him. They were prepared in the same basic format, showing the man’s name, unit, former rank and the rank to which he was being promoted. This is a great way to display a signature for Wilhelm II. All you need is a hook on the wall, and you are ready to go! Extra shipping required on this item. $850.00 . . .

 

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20-171 AWARD DOCUMENT -  CROWN ORDER 3^rd CLASS - SIGNED BY KAISER WILHELM II - PRUSSIA. This is an award document for the Prussian Crown Order 3^rd Class. It is dated 18 January 1903 in Berlin. The award was made to Oberstleutnant Friedrich von Peteresdorff, who served on the staff of 4. Unter-Elsässischem Infantrie-Regiment Nr 143. The document bears Kaiser Wilhelm II’s large and bold signature, along with the House of Hohenzollern’s embossed coat-of-arms. The document has been placed in a period matte, but is not framed. The matte measures 16" x 11 1/2." The document within the matte measures 12 1/2" x 8 1/4." Another separate matte has a typewritten copy of what is said exactly on the document. I have no research at this time on Oberstleutnant von Petersdorff. Perhaps he served in WW I. If he did, it is probable that he was a general officer. $450.00  

 

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19-92 AUTOGRAPHED LETTER FROM PRINZ HEINRICH - PRUSSIA. This is an original letter written by Prinz Heinrich of Prussia (1862-1929). Heinrich was the younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Heinrich served as the head of the Kaiserliche Marine in the rank of Großadmiral. He served in that capacity until he disagreed with Großadmiral Alfred von Tirpitz. Heinrich lost out on that power play when his older brother backed von Tirpitz. Interestingly, this hand written letter is on an 8 3/4" x 5 3/4" piece of paper that has been folded in half and bears the embossed seal of the Kroneprinzessen Cecilie. She was his niece by marriage, a princess from Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and the wife of his nephew, Krone Prinz Wilhelm, the heir to the Hohenzollern throne and the man who never became Kaiser after the monarchy fell in 1918. This letter was written 22 April 1922 in black ink. A partial description of the letter in German is included. $175.00  .

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19-147 XES AUTOGRAPHED PARTY INVITATION CELEBRATING QUEEN ELIZABETH II OF GREAT BRITAIN’S BIRTHDAY - AUTOGRAPHED BY PRINZESSIN/DUCHESS VIKTORIA LUISE (PRUSSIA AND BRAUNSCHWEIG) AND LUDWIG FREIHERR von HAMMERSTEIN-EQUORD. This is a consignment item. While I am unable to date this definitively, I estimate it hails from the 1960's or 1970's. It is an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain’s birthday celebration. The party was given by British Ambassador Steel. The invitation is addressed to Ludwig Freiherr von Hammerstein-Equord. He came from a very old Prussian military family. I have no details about him, however, his father was Freiherr Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord (1878-1943). He was a high-ranking, highly decorated officer in WW I who served on the general staff. Ultimately, he was appointed Chief of Staff in 1930. Violently anti-Nazi, his influence was greatly reduced after their rise to power. This beautifully engraved invitation measures 5" x 6 1/4." What makes it so interesting is that it is autographed by Prinzessin/Duchess Viktoria Luise (1892-1980)on the reverse. She was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s only daughter, and married Duke (Herzog) Ernst August of Braunschweig in 1913. Along with her signature on the reverse, that of von Hammerstein-Equord can be seen. It is all in very fine condition. $250.00  

 

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19-151 AUTOGRAPHED POSTCARD OF GRAND DUCHESS FEODORA - SAXE-WEIMAR. This postcard shows the Grand Duchess Feodora of Saxe-Weimar. She was the wife of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst and she is seen with her young son Prinz Bernhardt-Friedrich. The postcard has been personalized and autographed by Feodora and is dated 1918. $95.00  

 

 

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Signatures of the Imperial German Air Service

Manfred von Richthofen

 

19-149 ORIGINAL BIPLANE PHOTOGRAPH - AUTOGRAPHED - MANFRED FREIHERR von RICHTHOFEN. Arguably, the most famous fighter-pilot of all time is Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. He indelibly imbued the emerging military "art" of air combat with his dynamic spirit and ferocious pursuit of the enemy. At the same time, he achieved a "celebrity/hero" status in Imperial Germany (and abroad) akin to the frenzied worship accorded rock stars in the late 20^th and early 21^st Centuries. His is THE most-coveted autograph among such collectors. "Der Rote Kampfflieger (Red Baron)" came to the Imperial German Air Service from the cavalry. He graduated from military school before WW I began, and proudly joined the Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Alexander III von Rußland (Westpreußisches) Nr 1. After a quick taste of World War I on the Eastern Front, von Richthofen quickly realized this would not be a war of cavalry charges--of men and their noble steeds facing the enemy, then charging with drawn swords. As the situation rapidly deteriorated to trench warfare, the Baron realized he needed to attack this enemy on a "winged horse." He sent a very impertinent letter to his commanding general requesting transfer to the Air Service. After all, he had not joined the cavalry to deliver cheeses! [Quite cheeky for a young leutnant from minor East Prussian nobility]. Nevertheless, von Richthofen received his transfer. Manfred Von Richthofen started his career as an observer, then wrangled his way into pilots’ training. His first efforts as a pilot were not exactly successful; he managed to crash his airplane! He finally passed the course and was assigned to an observation squadron. At some point after this, Germany’s premier pilot, Oswald Boelcke, was authorized to institute the first Jagdstaffel (Jasta Nr 2, after his death it became known as Jasta Boelcke). Dubbed Jastas for short, Boelcke’s idea was that single-seater scouts form their own squadrons, and retain the flexibility to prey upon enemy aircraft. They were removed from observation duty (although they often protected observation planes), and unleashed on French and British aircraft. Previously, single-seater planes had been assigned to observation squadrons. Their pilots had been allowed to harass enemy planes on a limited basis. Boelcke’s concept went far beyond this. He thrust "hunting squadrons" on the unprepared enemy. It seems very basic to us now, but in 1916, barely a decade after the first recorded flight, it was a radical departure from prior airplane usage. The change was heralded by the invention of the "interrupter gear," which allowed machine guns to fire through an airplane propeller’s blades. As Boelcke organized his new squadron, he sought out eager young pilots whom he could mold for this new type of combat. His star pupil, of course, was Manfred von Richthofen. When asked the name of his best, most promising pilot, Boelcke unhesitatingly indicated von Richthofen. Boelcke collided with one of his own pilots in October 1916 and died with 40 confirmed victories to his credit. Von Richthofen witnessed his mentor’s tragic. At the time of his death, Boelcke had more than DOUBLE the number of his closest contemporary’s kills. Manfred von Richthofen achieved his 16th victory in January 1917, and was awarded the coveted Orden Pour le Mérite. He was assigned his own Jasta (Jasta Nr 11). It had been an underperforming unit to that point. Under his command the Jasta experienced a quick turnaround and soon was producing such famous aces as Kurt Wolff, Karl-Emil Schäfer, Karl Allmenröder, Ernst Udet, and von Richthofen’s brother, Lothar. Such was Manfred von Richthofen’s success that he was given command of the first Fighter Wing, JG 1 (Jagdgeschwader Nr 1). The unit (made up of Jastas 4, 6, 10, and 11), with its brightly-colored planes (including Manfred’s red Albatros D. Va and Fokker Dr 1 planes) became the "Flying Circus." Manfred von Richthofen was shot down in July 1917. He was shot in the head, narrowly avoiding death. The reality was, although he took several months to recover, he never returned to the person he had been before the accident. He became morose, brooding, and certain he would not survive the war. He had seen most of the pilots whom he had commanded (noted above) fall in combat. His flying became erratic. Although he continued to do his duty, he was not the same Manfred von Richthofen as he had been from October 1916 through July 1917. In April 1918, he attained his 80th victory. He was nominated for the award of the Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves. This was denied. Instead, he was awarded the Order of the Red Eagle 3rd Class, with Crown and Swords. General Erich von Ludendorff, von Hindenburg’s right arm and Chief-of-Staff, scoffed at the denial, saying von Richthofen was worth more than a division for what he did. Finally, on 21 April 1918, the event von Richthofen feared caught up with him. He was shot down while pursuing what he felt was an easy score, a novice British pilot. Arguments rage on to this day about whether he was shot down by RAF pilot Roy Brown, or Australian machine gunners on the ground. Just as his hero Boelcke had a squadron named in his memory (Jasta Boelcke), von Richthofen was honored when JG 1 was renamed (Jagdgeschwader Freiherr von Richthofen.) The Luftwaffe carried it forward as an elite unit during World War II. A German Air Force squadron remains named in von Richthofen’s memory to this day. Our offering today is an autographed original photograph. The photograph measures 4 1/2" x 6 1/2." It is an interesting subject, depicting a German observation plane in flight against heavy cloud cover. The photograph clearly was taken from another airplane. Manfred von Richthofen’s signature is boldly signed in black ink on the clouds under the airplane. It is von Richthofen’s classic signature, "Freiherr v. Richthofen - Rittmeister." Both the photograph and signature are in excellent condition. The photograph’s reverse clearly reveals it was once pasted into a photo album. It is an unusual presentation of his signature. His signatures on Sanke and other postcards are more commonly seen. I can tell you without hesitation that a signature on an original photograph is always more valuable than an autograph on a postcard, even when the photograph does not actually contain the subject’s face. We are very pleased to offer this to you today. $3,995.00 

 

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19-82 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH AND AUTOGRAPH OF RITTMEISTER MANFRED FREIHERR von RICHTHOFEN. Arguably the single most important autograph coveted by collectors would be that of Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. The legendary "Red Baron" ("Der Rote Kampfflieger" to the Germans) came to the Imperial German Air Service from the cavalry. He had graduated from military school before the beginning of WW I and had proudly joined an Ulanen Regiment (Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Alexander III von Rußland (Westpreußisches) Nr 1). Beginning WW I on the Eastern Front, von Richthofen quickly realized that this would not be a war of cavalry charges--of men and their noble steeds facing the enemy, then charging with drawn swords. As the situation rapidly deteriorated to trench warfare, he realized that to charge this enemy he needed a "horse" with wings. Thus he sent a very impertinent letter to his commanding general requesting transfer to the Air Service. After all, he had not joined the cavalry to deliver cheeses! [Pretty cheeky for a young leutnant from the minor nobility in eastern Prussia]. Nevertheless, von Richthofen got his request and received his transfer.
Manfred Von Richthofen started his career first as an observer, then wrangled his way into pilot training. His first efforts as a pilot were not exactly successful; he managed to crash his airplane! He did finally pass the course and was assigned to a squadron. At some point after this, Germany’s finest, most successful pilot, Oswald Boelcke, was allowed to institute the first Jagdstaffel. Dubbed Jastas for short, Boelcke’s idea was that single-seater scouts would be assigned to their own squadrons and have the flexibility to prey upon enemy aircraft. They were removed from observation duty (although they did often protect observation planes) and were unleashed on French and British aircraft. Prior to this single-seater planes were assigned to observation squadrons, and on a limited basis the pilots had been allowed to go out and harass enemy planes. Boelcke’s concept went far beyond this. He unleashed "hunting squadrons" on the unprepared enemy. This seems very basic to us but in 1916, barely a decade after the first recorded flight, this was a radical departure from what airplane usage had been prior to that time. Of course this change was heralded by the invention of the "interrupter gear," which allowed machine guns to fire through the blades of a propeller.
As Boelcke organized his new squadron, he sought out eager young pilots whom he could mold to this new type of combat. His star pupil was, of course, Manfred von Richthofen. He was even once asked who his best pilot was and who held the greatest promise. Boelcke without a bit of hesitation indicated that it was von Richthofen. Boelcke was killed in a collision with one of his own pilots in October 1916. Von Richthofen witnessed this terrible event where his mentor perished with 40 confirmed victories to his credit. At the time of his death Boelcke had more than DOUBLE the number of his closest contemporary’s kills. Manfred von Richthofen achieved his 16^th victory in January 1917, and was awarded the coveted Pour le Mérite. He was assigned his own Jasta (Jasta 11), which to that point had been an under performing unit. Under his command a quick turnaround soon produced such famous aces as Kurt Wolff, Karl-Emil Schäfer, Karl Allmenröder, Ernst Udet, and Lothar von Richthofen. Such was Manfred von Richthofen’s success that he was given command of the first Fighter Wing, JG 1 (Jagdgeschwader Nr 1). This unit (made up of Jastas 4, 6, 10, and 11) with its brightly colored planes (including Manfred von Richthofen’s red Albatros D. Va and Fokker Dr 1 planes) became the "Flying Circus."
Manfred von Richthofen was shot down in July 1917. He narrowly avoided death as he was shot in the head. The reality was that while he took several months to recover he was never the same person. He became morose, brooding and certain that he would not survive the war. He had seen most of the pilots noted above whom he had commanded fall in combat. His flying became erratic. Although he continued to do his duty, this was not the same Manfred von Richthofen of October 1916-July 1917. Finally, in April 1918 he attained his 80^th victory. He was put forward for the award of the Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves. This was denied and he was instead awarded the Order of the Red Eagle 3^rd Class with Crown and Swords. General Erich von Ludendorff, von Hindenburg’s right arm, scoffed at this denial, saying von Richthofen was worth more than a division for what he did.
Finally, on 21 April 1918, what von Richthofen had felt was coming caught up with him. He was shot down while pursuing what he felt was an easy score. Arguments rage to this day whether he was shot down by RAF pilot Roy Brown or Australian machine gunners on the ground. Like his hero Boelcke, who had a squadron named after him on his death (Jasta Boelcke) JG 1 was renamed for Richthofen. It was even carried forward as an elite unit in the Luftwaffe during WW II.
Now that we have properly set the stage, today we offer you an original photograph (mounted on postcard stock) of Manfred von Richthofen in a formal parade that contains his autograph. This photograph shows a number of men in formation in stahlhelms before a number of senior officers, including generals. If one looks closely, the second man with a stahlhelm is none other than Manfred von Richthofen. He is wearing his famous Ulanka (tunic for an Ulanen) and on the tunic one can see his Prussian Pilot’s Badge. He is standing ramrod straight at attention. Below him his name can be clearly seen in black ink. The signature is quite clear and distinctive. I do not know at what point in the war this photograph was taken. This item is of particular interest as it is an ORIGINAL photograph, as opposed to one of the popular Sanke Cards that von Richthofen signed in great numbers. A story goes that the adjutant of JG 1 used to go into the country with a stack of the Rittmeister’s signed cards and traded them for food and wine! This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an autograph of the most famous airman of WW I, and one of Germany’s leading military heroes, no matter what era. $3,995.00. . Reduced to $3,495.00!!

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Max Immelmann

14-138 FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH OF MAX IMMELMANN. This is a simply marvelous larger format portrait photograph of Max Immelmann. The photograph measures 7 1/4" x 3 1/4" and is uniquely mounted in a period frame that would have hung from a wall and measures 12" x 8 1/4." The photograph is an original of one of the most popular of the Sanke Cards produced of Immelmann. It has him standing wearing a bayonet, Iron Cross 1^st Class, Prussian Pilot Badge, and a five-place medal bar. He is also holding his visor cap in his hands. This photo was most likely given to a family member or friend as it is signed in black on the obverse: "Max Dez. 1915." This would have been taken the month before he received the PLM. The portrait photograph is placed in the frame in a way that creates a shadow box effect. The frame, as mentioned previously, is a period type and the wood is brown. Between the brown molding and the gilt trim of the shadow box is a brown velvet that adds to the distinctive look of the frame. $2,495.00

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Autographed Photos and Signatures of Other Orden Pour le Mérite Winners

19-23 SIGNED ORIGINAL WW II PHOTOGRAPH AND TRANSMITTAL LETTER OF ALFRED KELLER. An interesting original photograph of Generaloberst Alfred Keller. It is signed by Keller and it is accompanied by a brief note from an aide who forwarded it to a well-wisher for Keller. Keller is wearing both his Pour le Mérite and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. A nice WW II era pair. $295.00

 

 

 

 

 

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16-03 AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO OF ALFRED KELLER. Reproduction Hoffmann Card from WW II. Keller commanded a Squadron of Bombers during WW I which was highly successful in bombing Allied targets (Paris). He was a Generaloberst in WW II in the Luftwaffe, and one of the few airmen who received both the Pour le Mérite (12/4/17) and the Knights Cross. Post WW II signature. $85.00

 

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19-24 SIGNED PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH OF HERMANN KÖHL. Hermann Köhl was a pilot early in the war. He was later transferred to a bomber squadron where he was very successful in his efforts against the French. His award was made in May 1918. Interestingly, he was shot down and interred in a POW camp until 1919. He was involved in aviation in post WW I Germany. He was well-known as he made a East to West crossing of the Atlantic in 1918 (this was more difficult than the Lindbergh flight since when one flies from Europe to the U.S. the flying is slower due to fighting head winds). He died in 1938. The portrait photo shows him in a civilian suit and is clearly signed on the obverse. $295.00

 

 

 

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Assorted Signed Photos of Army Aviators

Signatures of the Kaiserliche Marine (Navy)

None Available at this Time

Signatures of the Imperial German Army

19-95 AUTOGRAPH OF GENERALFELDMARSCHALL AUGUST von MACKENSEN. This is a signature of Generalfeldmarschall August von Mackensen. It was signed at Danzig, where 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1 was garrisoned in 1913. This signature was once a part of a letter or document and was removed. The black-ink signature is large and bold. $150.00 CB

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19-79 DOCUMENT GROUPING WITH SIGNATURES OF GENERALFELDMARSCHALL PAUL von HINDENBURG. This is a most unusual grouping of three documents from Generalfeldmarschall and Reichspräsident of the Weimar Republic, Paul von Hindenburg. These documents are housed in a large-format official stationary envelope from the Office of the Präsident. The letter is addressed to a Generalleutnant von der Lippe of Oldenburg. Inside the impressive envelope we see two letters typed on the stationary of the Reichspräsident. One is addressed to von der Lippe in Oldenburg, where he was the head of a veterans’ association for members of Oldenburg Infantry-Regiment Nr 91. A cordial letter to von der Lippe is signed boldly by von Hindenburg. The second letter in the envelope is addressed to a Generalmajor von Hohnhorst. At the point that the letters were written in 1926 and 1931, both of these generals had retired from the army. The third item in the envelope is really interesting. It is a wartime telegram from the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, Friedrich August, to von Hindenburg on 10 May 1918. In it the Grand Duke congratulates von Hindenburg for his efforts, and expresses appreciation for the fine use of his regiment (Infantry-Regiment Nr 91). Von Hindenburg's initials can be seen at the telegram’s top, indicating that he had read it. It was passed down to other members of his staff, and possibly to the commander of Infantry-Regiment Nr 91. I would say that von Hindenburg pulled this from the files/archives and enclosed it for the veteran’s group to show what their former Grand Duke had written. This is an exciting piece of history, featuring two signed letters from von Hindenburg, along with an original telegram received in the last five months of WW I. $595.00. .

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19-80 TWO SIGNED LETTERS FROM GENERALFELDMARSCHALL AND REICHSPRÄSIDENT PAUL von HINDENBURG. These are two letters that were sent to Generalleutnant von der Lippe. These two letters bear the bold, clear, and large signatures of Generalfeldmarschall and Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg. They were sent to von der Lippe on the official stationary and envelope of the Reichspräsident. They cover matters related to an Oldenburg veterans’ group for Infantry-Regiment Nr 91, headed by von der Lippe. This presents a fine opportunity to have TWO signatures of one of Germany’s most important and beloved military commanders from WW I. He was also the last man to lead Germany before the advent of Adolf Hitler. Both are in very fine condition. $495.00. .

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12-360 LARGE FORMAT WARTIME AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH OF A POUR LE MÉRITE WINNER. This is a very pleasing large format photograph of Oberstleutnant Friedrich Ritter von Haack. Von Haack was a Bavarian who was assigned to the General Staff of the Bavarian I. Armeekorps. His award of the coveted Orden Pour le Mérite (PLM) came on 4 August 1918 for his planning while on the General Staff. He is wearing the PLM in the photo. His signature and personalization appear on the photo’s reverse. This photo was taken shortly after his award. The personalization was dated 30 August 1918, a mere twenty-six days after his award. Von Haack was also awarded the Knights Cross of the Bavarian Military Max Joseph in April 1918, which carried with it an automatic elevation to knighthood. This is a very fine photograph and personalization to a man who won the highest military awards that both Prussia and Bavaria could offer. $250.00

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12-281 AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH OF GENERAL von DIRINGSHOFEN. A fine large format photograph of General Max von Diringshofen. He achieved the rank of Generalleutnant during WW I and commanded Infantry Brigade Nr 42. This photo is large format (5 3/4" x 7 3/4") and is mounted on a matte that is 9 1/4" x 13". The bottom of the matted area features a large personalized greeting and a bold signature of the General dated 1915/1916. The photograph shows the General seated in a chair wearing his uniform and the single pip of a Generalleutnant is clearly seen on his shoulder board. A Red Eagle with Swords is worn about his neck, a 1914 EK 2 is looped through the buttonhole of his tunic and a 1914 EK 1, Breast Star, etc. are on his chest. If you ever wondered what a Junker General should look like, take a close look at this chap! $250.00

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19-148 COLORIZED POSTCARD - SIGNATURE - PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH von PREUßEN. This is a colorized postcard that has been dedicated and signed by Prinz Eitel Friedrich of Prussia (1883-1942). Prinz Eitel Friedrich was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s second son. Like all his brothers (except Prinz Adalbert, who served in the Navy), he served in the German Army before and during WW I. He served on the Eastern Front. He met Manfred von Richthofen in 1915, when von Richthofen crashed his observation plane. The postcard shows two soldiers of the infantry (one of them is from a Garde-Regiment) complete with pickelhauben. A Hussar from either Leib-Garde-Husaren-Regiment or Husaren-Regiment Nr 7 is also present. In the lower right corner is a dedication and signature from Prinz Eitel Friedrich, dated 1910. His signature, in black ink, is clear and bold. No message appears on the reverse. $150.00CW

 

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19-152 AUTOGRAPHED SANKE CARD - MAX IMMELMANN. This is a Sanke Card (Nr 360) of PLM-winning ace Max Immelmann. Max Immelmann, along with Oswald Boelcke, was one of the two early darlings of the Imperial German Air Service. Immelmann and Boelcke received the first two PLM's awarded to aviators in January 1916. Immelmann was a master of the early Fokker Eindecker.   The "Immelmann Turn", a move still used in combat today by pilots was perfected by him. Legend also suggests the PLM, also known as the "Blue Max," was named for him. Immelmann's enjoyment of his fame was brief.  After his 15th air victory, he was killed in combat during June 1916. Oswald Boelcke, his co-awardee of the first PLM from the hands of Kaiser Wilhelm II, died in a mid-air collision in October 1916. His final tally was forty confirmed victories. This card shows Immelmann in uniform, wearing a six-place medal bar, 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class, and a Prussian Pilot's Badge. At his throat is the coveted Orden Pour le Mérite. The card is mounted on a piece of cardboard, which supplies extra stiffening. Immelmann's signature is in black ink. It is quite bold and clear. This is a very rare autograph. $1,295.00

 

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Otto & Jürgen's Non-Imperial German Emporium	Paper and Wood Artifacts: Books, Photos, Albums, Maps, and Artworks(framed paintings)
Patriotic Domesticware Nr 1: Fine Tableware, Steins, Glassware & Porcelain	Patriotic Domesticware Nr 2: Wooden, Metal, Cloth & Embroidered  Household Items
Patriotic Jewelry Nr 1: Rings, Bracelets, Pendants,etc.	Patriotic Jewelry Nr 2: Pins
Photograph Albums, Photographs & Cartes des Viste(CdV's)	Postcards: Royalty, Imperial German Air Service, Kaiserliche Marine, Zeppelins, Army, and etc.
Ranglistes: Imperial German Army & Navy on CD	Royalty & Nobility(Imperial German): Personality Items, Swords & Daggers, Portraits, Memorabilia
Shoulder Boards	Signed Photos, Documents & Autographs of the German Military, Nobility and Royalty
Stickpins	Swords & Edged Weapons
Table Medals	Uniforms & Related Accessories
Vivat Ribbons	Wooden Display Products (Helmet & Visor Stands)
Zeppelin & Balloon Memorabilia

Der Rittmeister Content Pages:

Click here for our Home Page	Click for the Order Information Page
Click here for Our Biography Page	Click here to Meet Jack Hunter