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France
Here we present for the first time items from that European nation that had so much to do with the history of Germany's Reichs, as friend and foe. These include the legions of Napoleon, who sought to bring down the German eagle, but were finally crushed by the black-clad Prussian Cavalry leader Marshal Blucher; the brave French soldiers of the Second Empire, who met resounding defeat by the forces of the warrior King Wilhelm I in the Franco-Prussian War. Let us not forget the brave men of the Charlemagne Division, who fought beside their European brothers against the "evil empire" Soviet Russia and her criminal allies. Frenchmen fought in the army units and the Waffen-SS. They were noted by the German high command to be the bravest of the brave! Therefore, we have decided to devote a section of Germania to La belle France and her military in the hopes that never again will there be brother wars.
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Napoleonic Cavalry Capture the Prussian Standard (Item FRAN 1-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a beautiful depiction of a sequence from the Napoleonic Prussian Wars of the early 1800’s. The original rendering was done by the famous French artist Edouard Detaille. The name of the work was “Prize j’un Drapeau Prussian par le 4th Regiment de Dragons en1806 ” by Detaille, who was born in Paris October 5, 1847, did many striking battle scenes of the campaigns of Napoleon including dashing cavalry charges. He used many original items of uniforms and weapons to give authenticity to his pictures, and many of these artifacts were used in the creation Musée de Armée, the great military museum in Paris that Detaille helped to found. With all his work he painted in a slow and methodical way so as to produce his subjects naturally and realistically, but most important, truthfully! He died in Paris on December 23, 1912. This wonderful rendering of the famous scene may be a copy or possibly is one of Detaille’s original after-renderings. It is actually that good! It measures 25 ½ x 33 inches in the frame. The depiction is the capture of the Prussian standard by the 4th Napoleonic Dragoon Regt in one of the land skirmishes in the European theater of war. The Prussians later had their revenge when at Leipzig in 1813 the battle was the greatest clash of arms up until WW I and forever broke the grip of Napoleon in central Europe. The French losses were probably 100,000. The coalition forces of Prussia and its allies to include most of the German states, England, Russia, Austria, Poland, Sweden-lost about 60,000. Many French were to be seen held aloft by the black Hussars of Marshal Blucher. The battle began on October 14 and lasted through Oct 19, 1813. This rendering of the earlier actions is in oil on canvas and is definitely old. The oak-leaf frame is new, but elegant, indeed.
PRICE: NO LONGER AVAILABLE |
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Huge Mural of French Military History (Item FRAN 1-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is huge depiction which measures 48 ½ x 22 ½ inches. It is a mural on cloth, possibly linen. In the center a memorial column is portrayed and spiraling around it hundreds, perhaps thousands, of French military people (soldiers) are shown in their respective uniforms and dress. First, at the top, are the Gauls and Franks; then, the knights of the Middle Ages with Joan of Arc; then, the Huguenots, Musketeers, and soldiers of the time of revolution, Napoleon's conquests, and the Middle East involvement with the Foreign Legion. Also depicted are the 1870 war with Prussia, the Indo-China incidents, and, finally, WW I. This great potpourri print was possibly shown in a French shop window to encourage recruitment by extolling the glories of the French military experience from early to late times. It does seem to have some official significance and has a flaming-bomb logo with pen and sword depicted. It was printed at Editions Delandre on 11, Rue Bergère in Paris. Half of the picture (bottom portion) is darkened leading us to believe it sat in a location possibly with an awning that allowed the top portion to be shaded, while the bottom portion was in direct sunlight, thus darkening it a bit. The fabric is, however, not torn or tattered at all and this piece would grace any good collection of war relics. It's colorful and historically important.
PRICE: $395.00 |
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Wonderful Framed Picture Cover from Le Petit Journal (The Little Journal) (Item FRAN 1-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a great-looking full-color depiction of a trumpeter of the legion playing a military aire as seen at the bottom corner. This is very interesting in that this journal cost 5 cents in 1912, when it was published. Nicely framed; this would be a first-class décor item for a fine military collection. It measures 12 x 18 inches.
PRICE: $75.00 |
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Wonderful Framed Picture Cover from Le Petit Journal (Item FRAN 1-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This cover from Le Petit Journal (The Little Journal) depicts the trip of the King of Spain to Germany. This cover shows that this great journal at the time cost 15 cents in 1905, when it was produced. One more year and this cover is 100 years old and is still in very remarkable condition. The picture with equestrian Garde du Corps escort is quite dramatic and would be great to hang in a fine military collection. It measures 12 x 18 ½ inches (newly framed). Very nice!
PRICE: $75.00 |
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Porcelain Napoleonic Trooper on Horseback (Item FRAN 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a very dramatic figure in Dresden-style porcelain. It is German made, but depicts a French guard of honor belonging to the Grande Armée of Napoleon Bonaparte. It is inscribed under the glaze of the bottom in French: "Garde d'Honneur de Lyon-Cavalerie Trompette," which translates to "Guard of Honor of Lyon-Cavalry Trumpeter." the mark on the bottom with a crowned 'N' is often mistaken for "Capa d'Monte," but, in fact, is the logo of the Rudolstadt maker Ernst Bohem. The style of the logo would indicate that it is from the 1901 to 1920 period. Reference-Marks on German, Bohemian, and Austrian Porcelain 1710 to Present by R. Röntgen. The figure is in good, intact shape except for some of the horse reins are broken away. The color is exceptionally good and this figure could easily compete with Meissen or Allach in its overall look and presentment. The uniform is accurate and the faces of horse and rider are wonderfully accomplished. A great-looking, fine, porcelain creation.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Solid Silver Decorative Tray (Item FRAN 1-6; KMISC 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an elegant late 18th-century silver tray that looks to be made from hand-hammered coin silver. It is profusely marked with the moon, crown (800) stamping, plus two more stamps that identify the German company that crafted and struck the magnificent piece. This is obviously German silver crafting, although the subject is very French. It depicts the French Emperor Louis XVI, 1774-1793, murdered in 1793 by lice-ridden street rabble. He is depicted with his wife, Marie Antoinette, born 1755, and murdered on the guillotine in 1793 by the same filthy rabble. Her mother, Maria Theresa, was the archduchess of Austria, who was also Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. Her father was the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I. At the palace of Versailles there is a large plaque with this exact scene in silver that hangs over a fireplace and without doubt the German or Austrian silversmith used this plaque to re-recreate its beauty in this diminutive treasure of the art. The piece is stunningly beautiful with gorgeous open work all around the portraits. The Royal French crown is shown in the top center with the dagger and torch of the empire that surmounts a shield with the three fleur-de-lis portraits of statesmen are seen in four areas surrounding the central theme. In 1909, the piece was acquired or presented to a lady by the name of Flora K. Winchet, and her name can be seen engraved in Germanic writing on the back of the piece. This is a very dramatic art masterpiece of the European silver art and could be considered a true museum piece extraordinaire. From the end of the right handle to the end of the left handle it measures 13 inches. From top to bottom it measures 8 inches. We are proud to offer this magnificent beautiful example of the master silversmiths’ art and an important reminder of the “better time.”
PRICE: $750.00 |
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A Grouping of Hand-painted Tiles from the Republic of France (Item FRAN 1-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an assemblage of wonderful hand-painted tiles probably manufactured in Delft, Holland for the French military or government. There are 12 individual tiles all assembled in a period frame to form the escrution of the Republic of France with the heraldic “FR,” the blue, white, red flags, and the Order of the Legion of Honor,. The fasces emblem also can be seen at the rear. This framed tile grouping measures 29 x 23 inches and the whole thing is quite heavy. The frame is original, but has a hole in both the top and bottom center where some former owner probably bolted it to a wall for security, considering its weight. This is historically valuable and is a seldom-found piece of the empire period.
PRICE: $650.00 |
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Napoleonic Eagle Plate (Item FRAN 1-8) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is Shako plate of the artillery of the Grande Armée. It features the empire eagle with the lightning bolts and cannonball There is detailed brass with tiny holes for sewn attachment to the Shako. First empire, very nice, and rare as well.
PRICE: $280.00 |
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Napoleonic Cuirassier’s Sword (Item FRAN 1-9) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a heavy cavalry sword made famous by the dashing cuirassiers of the Emperor Napoleon I. This is a down-to-business saber that is manufactured with mayhem in mind. The balance is perfect for the swinging in a full cavalry charge. Although true to French tradition, the style of the weapon evidences some martial beauty. The sword is definitely a working weapon. The blade still shows some evidence of former etching with floral design. The usual mid-European crescent moons still appear slight, but are mostly polished off probably by the soldier himself in many, many polishing episodes. Almost 41 inches long in scabbard this is a large sword. The blade measures 31 inches long and 1 ½ inches wide at the widest point. The cross guard, pommel, and scabbard bands are brass, while the scabbard itself is of steel. There is no drag at the scabbard tip which might even for a moment catch on anything when in heated combat. The lion head on the pommel is fierce looking as the original owner must have been also. The wire wrapping is unusually tight and intact. All in all, except for the very worn etching having been long gone, the sword is museum worthy and very nice. This is a historically important addition to any good early 19th-century weapons collection.
PRICE: $3,500.00 |
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French WWII Artillery Helmet (Item FRAN 1-10) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a helmet of the French Poliou. It is in very fine condition with original green-gray color. The original liner is intact and sweat-hole type (see inside). Usually when these are found they are in terrible condition. This is certainly the exception.
PRICE: $175.00 |
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French Decorative Cloth Handwork (Item FRAN 1-10) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This was bought in Germany from a family whose father brought it back from the French Campaign in 1940. He said it was taken from a royal guesthouse in Versailles. this was unusual because regardless of the false rumors, the German soldiers did not loot nearly as much as the allies did. It was forbidden by Wehrmacht directive and to defy this order would bring very serious consequences to include dishonorable discharge. German Army regulations were very strict. In any case, the officer was killed in action in Russia so we could not ask. The hanging is very beautiful with 25 fleurs-de-lis formed in minute glass beads. The other decoration top and bottom is also sewn in beautiful glasswork on cotton material. It measures 16 x 18 inches and is quite heavy. The back is in green silk material. The condition is remarkably good with a small bit of rope edging coming loose for about 5 ½ inches at the top (simple to sew back). The original purpose for its use is unknown to us. It does not have any devices for hanging it on a wall. Perhaps it graced an end table or was meant to be fastened somehow to a podium. In any case it is clear why the soldier might bring it home as it is quite beautiful and we offer it as a worthy trophy of the early war, but also as a testimony to French master craftsmanship in this style of cloth workmanship.
PRICE: $225.00 |
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Tapestry of French WWI (Item FRAN 1-11) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the French WWI soldier depicted at rest with a pipe in his mouth. The tapestry is a fine example of handwork since the outer part is in needlepoint, while the central figure is in petti point. the most difficult style of hand embroidery. The depiction is what I’d have to say is typical of the laid back French soldier perhaps sitting in the bunkers of the Maginot Line secure in the knowledge that his leaders have said of the Germans, “They shall not pass,” “Ils ne passeron pas.” General Petain was quite sure about that. The tapestry commemorates with the words “La Grande Guerre,” “The Great War,” and “La Croix d’Honneur,” “The Cross of Honor.” The soldier is seen here wearing this coveted medal along with the Croix d’Guerre, The War Cross. It measures in its fine frame 22 ½ x 18 inches (reframed professionally). This is a great souvenir of WWI.
PRICE: $275.00 |
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Napoleon and Josephine Commemorative Dishes (numbered editions) (Item FRAN 1-12) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This can be considered a pair although the numbering is different. They are elegant and fine commemorative plates by the famous porcelain firm of Limoges in France. The depictions are: No. 1. Napoleon crowing himself Emperor of France with all the assemblage of Heads of State and Clergy. The absolute beauty of this plate can be seen in our pictures and need no explanation--maybe only my exclamation of GORGEOUS! This is no. 237 of the very limited edition. No. 2 is a beautiful depiction of the beautiful Empress Josephine reposing in idyllic scenery. This one is numbered 291 of a limited edition. We will sell these plates as a pair only. They are genuine Limoges and the edition was sold out many years ago. The Josephine plate has a depiction of a letter between the Emperor and his Lady 17 July 1796. This is a very fine set in excellent condition at a very good price. PRICE: $195.00 |
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Magnifique Book La Beauté de la Femme dans l’Art (Item FRAN 1-13) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Dear to the heart of the French male and, in fact, to all red-blooded men, is the beauty of the feminine form. We know that the Germanophiles who attend our Germania showings will at least admire this particular offering, unless I miss my guess. This was a giant book that was dragged home by a Wehrmacht soldier who purchased it in Lyons in the German liberation of the 1940’s (purchased, not looted!). It is really a magnificent book. There are 53 full-color reproductions of the world’s most famous nude editions by the most famous artists of France and elsewhere. It was produced in Paris, probably in the late 1890’s or possible as late as 19-2 or so. The pictures are absolutely stunning in various sizes, but most of them are full-page illustrations measuring about 12 x 9 inches. The cover of the book is partially bound in leather and is tattered a little on the spine, but holding well. The book measures about 14 1/2 x 11 inches and is about 1 1/2 inches thick. Each picture is preceded by an explanation on a full page about the subject, history, and the artist. This is not our usual forte, but we just knew you would like a little break from the military relics; and what better diversion?
PRICE: $485.00; this book is quite rare in any case |
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Napoleonic Helmet Plate (Item FRAN 1-14) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is said to be a plate from an officer’s helmet of the Imperial Sappers. It’s in brass. The fastening devices are gone from the back; otherwise, it’s in very good condition.
PRICE: $285.00 |
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French Naval Officer’s Sword; circa 1890 (Item FRAN 1-15) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is an extremely fine French naval sword with beautiful brass fittings. It’s maritime all the way with the fouled anchor nestled in with line, ivy leaves, and the diving dolphin at the end of the cross guard. A separately affixed fouled anchor adorns the scabbard throat under a clamshell retainer. The back of the grip has 12 clamshells culminating at the finial with rococo design. The blade retains its original steel polished sheen and has blood groove and bone breaker. There are makers’ logos on the blade’s surface near the cup guard. The grip is of highly polished bone dyed deep, shiny black. The drag of the scabbard has the clamshell motif, as well. The scabbard is in good condition with one slight crease midway. This is an excellent and historically important weapon.
PRICE: $1,350.00 |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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