Imperial Germany, Kaiser Reich, WWI, Wilhelm I and Wilhelm II

[ Home Page ] [ Third Reich ] [ Old Reich ] [ Kaiser Reich ] [ Imperial Russia ] [ Axis Powers ] [ Italian Fascist ] [ WW I ] [ Landsknecht ] [ Kaiser Wilhelm ] [ Frederick the Great ]

Kaiser Reich

Items of Historical Importance

Kaiser Reich

Please be sure to visit our Kaiser Wilhelm II collection.

Also, take a look at our Frederick the Great gallery.

Kaiser Reich

UHLAN CAVALRY ALBUM (Item KHISTORY 1-1)

DESCRIPTION: This richly decorated photograph album is from the 2nd Hannover Uhlan, Light Cavalry, Regiment Number 14. It is from around the 1880’s and was presented to the brigade commander by the officer corps of the 2nd Regiment Number 14. The album is covered in rich Ghana style leather with a velvet center panel containing a brass plaque with the symbol of the regiment. Bronze floral designs trace the edges of the leather cover. Inside is a beautiful hand painted and lettered presentation page with the Hohenzollern and Kaiser Reich eagles. Also inside are 29 studio portrait images of the regimental officers showing them in full dress uniform wearing medals and swords. If one takes the time to look on the backs of the pictures, the assembler wrote the names of the men on the reserve of each picture. The studio signs all the photos where they were taken, mostly at Erfurt and Berlin. A page from the Deutsches Rangliste comes with the album and it shows the very same names as are written on the reserves of the photographs. Henning and Von Schultz are two of them shown in the rangliste and on the backs. The cover is 20 ˝" x 13" and the album is 3 Ľ" thick. The locking device that once held the album shut has been lost during the years but in general the album is in fine shape. This is a real piece of history from the age of "High adventure and Glory."

PRICE: $989.00

[Click for Full Photo]

WOODEN STATUE OF VON HINDENDURG (Item KHISTORY 1-2)

DESCRIPTION: This is a fantastic wood carving of Germany's greatest field marshal, who won decisive victories over the Russians at Tannenberg, 1914, and the Masaurian Lakes, 1915. Paul von Hindenburg, 1847-1934, was also the president of post-WWI Germany. He was extremely popular with the German people. Many paintings, enamels, bronzes, and other art forms commemorate this, the greatest of old soldiers. But this is the first wood carving I have seen in my many years of experience in this field. It should be noted that to make an accurate likeness in wood sculpture is the very height of artistic expression; much more difficult than a painting or the clay modeling that precedes the actual sculpting of a bronze statue. Mistakes often curse such a project to doom where the other art forms can be corrected many times over. This artist, who has signed the master carving, is a man by the name of E. Renner. He can be looked up in German listings of the greatest of wood carvers. The most interesting thing about the rendering is that the Imperial Staff Chief (his WWI rank) is shown wearing the armor and garb of a Teutonic knight of old. This is Germanic tradition-to portray their leaders of note in the regalia of knighthood. Many of you have seen the later German leader A H not I ebay dressed in this manner with mount and lance. This was a famous painting that was exhibited at the House of German Art. The statue of Hindenburg is mounted on a separate plinth and may have been used as hiding place for money or jewels in a wealthy homestead??? This is definitely the type art that had cost dearly in its day. The height is near 34 inches with base. The base is 8 ˝ inches square and is about 12 inches high. This is without a doubt a fantastic historic treasure worthy as a center piece for any Imperial of general Germanic collection or museum setting.

PRICE: $3,500.00.

Fantastic WWI German Book in Giant Edition (Item KHISTORY 1-3)

DESCRIPTION: Ehrendenkmal der Deutschen Armee und Marine, 1871-1918; this is a huge book 2 ˝ inches thick and 11 Ľ X 15 ˝ inches. It was published in 1927 by the German National Verlag and given in honor to commemorate the 80th birthday of the Reich's President and General Field Marshal von Hindenburg. It contains 658 beautiful pages with 40 sepia-tone and full-color, full-page illustrations, and a beautiful fold-out color uniform display page at the back-cover insert. This is possibly the most exhaustive and heroic attempt to chronicle the history of Germany's valiant servicemen in their efforts for the Deutsches Vaterland. The beauty of this massive volume is obvious, but it can also be considered a historic treasure that should be carefully preserved as it undoubtedly was a special edition presented by government sources to libraries and other archival repositories. They don't come better than this. A virtual treasure chest of knowledge and a bibliophile's dream!

PRICE: $450.00.

Rare Book on German Imperial Uniforms (Item KHISTORY 1-4)

DESCRIPTION: Das Deutsches Heer is the ultimate uniform book of the Imperial German Army. It almost seems it was made for official sources such as foreign military offices and officials. It is stamped in the front that it is from the collection of Carlos Maria Naon. The pages have number stampings 1-30. It seems to be from the 1890's and the prints are still in vivid color. The pages show age, but are in perfect condition. Each grouping of soldiers numbers from 11 to 15 in the accurate uniform of his corps-Guard Corps, Prussian Army Corps, 1 through 15. Then the Bavarian Army Corps, 1 and 2; the Stabswachen, Gendarmerie, the Unteroffizier-Schulen and Castle Guards, the Cadet Corps, the bands, the Wacht guards, subordinate officers, the cavalry, the Rittmeister, the officers of the general staff, the Landwehr, etc. At the last part of the book there are some typewritten sheets pasted in translating the German descriptions into Spanish. The book is in very fine overall condition except for the spine which is loose, but holding well! It measures 11 ľ x 9 inches and is ˝ inch thick. The book is definitely extremely rare and a true treasure to the German Army enthusiast.

PRICE: $300.00

WW I Aviation (Germany) [Incredible group of items from a flyer named Andreas Jansen] (Item KHISTORY 1-5)

DESCRIPTION:This is an incredible group of items from a flyer by the name of Andreas Jansen, born in Hamburg, Germany in 1897, who flew a Zweidecker, biplane, in 1919, when he belonged to the Luftfahrer Verband He was member no. 8267. He joined this outfit because flying was in his blood having been a combat flyer in WW I. This is one of the best pilot groups we have ever seen out of this period. It includes:
   His Flugzeugführer pass with information and picture
   His WW I flyer's badge in silver; very fine example
   The propeller tip from his airplane
   A hard-card photo of him (first on left) with two of his friends    The Verdienst Kreuz 1914 from city of Hamburg
   The stickpin in enamel for membership in the Luftfahrer Verband (silver marked "LLERCH" 800)    A photo album containing 23 photographs starting with a great picture of Jansen, himself, posing with a comrade in front of his biplane. Then a picture taken for fun of him second from left where all these officers are in the act of dislodging a huge wheel. On the next page there is a group picture of German officers all wearing artillery Pickelhaubes, spike helmets. His father may be in this scene. Then a couple of photos of his family's estate and a photo of some of the airmen butchering a pig.
   Next, a group shot of flyers and single picture of Jansen's friend while on the next is (signed) in 1918 dashing with flyer's scarf about his neck. On the next page are two pictures from the air of the Wartburg near Eisenach. It was here in May 4, 1521 that Frebrih the Wise, the Elector allowed Martin Luther to be brought. It was here he translated the New Testament into German from the original Greek. The other aerial picture is the Volkerschlacthdenkmal by Leipzig, the monument to the battle of nations against Napoleon in 1813. On this page there is also a really neat picture of Jansen (first on right) with Kameraden and his mascot mastiff. There is also a picture of him with his airplane and his tail gunner pilot, 1918. The next page has scenes from the Fleigerheim, flyer's command HQ, and a shot of his plane and a crushed aircraft, plus more of Jansen with air buddies. Next, war damage and Jansen as a boy with an aquarium. Next pictures of British prisoners and Andreas on skis wearing his uniform!. The next, a way station at the front and a picture of our hero at a switchboard.
   Three pictures of WW I aircraft mounted to glass; probably were framed at one time
   A postcard-type photo (but original) of a biplane in the clouds with a letter to his parents from Andreas dated August 22, 1918, signed Andreas and it seems to be from "your flyer son."
   A picture of a smashed German fighter aircraft (his?)
   A picture of German airmen at the front sitting at an outdoor, makeshift table.
   A letter dated April 2, 1919 with stamp from König. Preuss. (?) in Hamburg and it must be important as it has been numbered no. 8267. It mentions in opening Fleiger Jansen and his rank and section and then the date September 9, 1918 and signed at the bottom by the Abteilungsführer (section leader). This seems to be a good reference for Jansen.
   This is definitely a great grouping seldom seen this complete. We are very proud to offer it for museums, or for fine collections worldwide.

PRICE: SOLD

German Fireman’s Certificate of Honor (Item KHISTORY 1-6)

DESCRIPTION: This is a framed document that is an outright beautiful piece of Germanic art in its own right. It’s in absolutely beautiful condition. It is a certificate for long and faithful service presented to one Herrn Franz Nuss in 1921 in recognition and appreciation of his service as founder and on the occasion of his 29 years of dutiful deeds as foreman and as a member now appointed an honorable Mitterbach (Special Member) 1921 for the Volunteer Firefighters. The depiction of a firefighter slaying a dragon with hose (a la St. George) is a great analogy of Teutonic saga and art copying life and vice versa. This great document had a wreath at the bottom for Franz’s picture, but he never placed one there (too modest?). The overall appearance of the scroll is dynamic in action and artistic excellence. The consigner spared no expense in pricing this first-class frame for this historically important document. The frame measures 26 x 20 inches and the certificate 21 ˝ x 15 ˝ inches. The beautiful gilted frame goes far to make this item a welcome piece of true Germanic memorabilia at its zenith.

PRICE: $375.00.

Kaiser Wilhelm

Kaiserlichstuhl: The Reichstag Chair (Item KHISTORY 1-7; WILHELM 6-1)

DESCRIPTION: This is without a doubt the most fantastic Kaiserzeit item ever found and actually brought back from the wars. Collectors and historians have called it the Kaiserlichstuhl "Kaiser Chair," but the fact is he never sat in it because he was always the complete monarchist and he referred to Parliament (the Reichstag) as the Reichsaffenhaus or "Monkey House." This piece of grand furniture resembles much more a throne that a chair. It once sat in the Reichstag in the lobby or entrance room for the Bundesrat (Federal Council). It was put together by three of the most famous of the artists in decorative furnishings that Germany had ever seen. The original design was by the great art sculptor Professor Anton Pruska in Munich. The leather carving was painstakingly executed by George Hulbe of Hamburg. The carving and final finishing was by the man who is called the Frank Lloyd Wright of German furnishing, Anton Pössenbacher, of Munich's Odenplatz. We have a letter from the Deutscher Bundestag in Berlin dated June 25, 1991, where a Mr. E. Mattig, one of the curators of the historic research section, provides some information concerning the history of the chair. In 1985, he referred us to a gentleman named Michael S. Cullen, an American, who lived in Berlin and was contacted about the history of this monumental piece. Cullen had written a book called, Der Reichstag. Die Geschichte eines Monumentes, The Reichstag. The History of a Monument. Mr. Cullen also verified the authenticity and history of the chair and supplied actual pictures of the article as it looked sitting in the Reichstag building in the 1920's. The pictures revealed that there were four of these chairs and two benches that were basically of the same design. All except this one were reduced to ashes when the vicious Bolshevik hordes of Mongols and Tartars of the red army swarmed like rats all over Berlin in an "ape dance" of bestial rampage killing, raping, and murdering.
Nothing of the old majestic Reichstag survived except for this single chair and that was because it had been sent to a repair shop long before the end of the war. Because of the impact of action even in 1943, work and deliveries to a great extent were curtailed, except for food and oil and other necessities. So, the chair fortunately sat in the shop and thereby missed the conflagration visited upon the once beautiful Reichstag building. After the war an American ranking officer of the occupation forces became aware of this article sitting in the show window of this repair shop. Since is was for the most part the reds that occupied the city, he, as a liaison officer, had to bribe the commies to not only look the other way, but to actually assist him in getting it packed up and loaded in an American truck to be sent to the American occupation zone in Munich. This having been accomplished after the expenditure of several cartons of Lucky Strikes this officer managed to make off with a treasure. After arrival in Munich the chair was dismantled and sent to Texas where it sat in a storage facility for many years until an American collector-dealer of some repute in Texas came to know about it and managed to acquire it, but payed a price equivalent to back-storage fees. Whatever happened to the officer who sent it to America we don't know (we weren't informed of his name or the liaison unit he was attached to). So now, a Kaiserstuhle of the Deutsches Reichstag sits in another warehouse in the states after being bought from the Texas entrepreneur (now deceased). The chair or, as we prefer to call it, throne, is awesome indeed. Its towering height is about 103 inches from floor to top and 47 inches across. It is nearly 9 feet tall and two average-sized people can easily sit side by side in the seat. The carving is nothing less than phenomenal with two Walkyries from Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen at the top. The faces of these, the daughters of Wotan and Erda, Brünnhilde and Waltraute, are both different. The arms of the throne are fronted with two more different faces. These are thought to be the giants, Fasolt and Fafner, also from the Wagnerian saga. At the middle of the structure are the heads of an eagle and a wolf executed in the finest of wood carving also. The wolf and the eagle represent terrestrials that appear halfway through Wagner's immortal ring cycle. They are magical creatures belonging to the Germanic sky god, Wotan. They are often portrayed as the mounts that he rides. The giant German eagle, all carved in leather, has the Hohenzollern eagle depicted in the center of the chest to honor Kaiser Wilhelm, himself, who never sat in this chair. The Kaiser often said that the Reichstag was a "house of monkeys!," Affenhaus. He was a total monarchist having no respect for the parliamentarian process. But, somehow, we feel had he ever seen these magnificent pieces of grandiose furniture his sense of artistic appreciation for which he was well known would have made him salute, at least. He was an exalting monarch, but everything that went straight from Germanic saga went into this carving and leatherwork. All of this was the stuff of his favorite legends and heraldic appreciation. Pössenbacher, the major contributor to these masterpieces was himself legendary in the 1800's and still today his work is seen as part of Germany's national treasures. He was the designer and builder of practically all of the magnificent furnishings for the Royal Bavarian palaces. The one that stands out foremost is King Ludwig's very famous tribute to the works of Richard Wagner, the castle, Neuswanstein, in lower Bavaria. But he also was the court cabinetmaker to Ludwig's father. The incredible fanciful furnishings were even entered into the official history books as "German Historicism" and they were immensely popular with monarchs, wealthy merchants, industrialists, and in general, the Teutonic aristocracy. His designs represented in that time German craftsmanship at its zenith! The royal apartments of Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee were done to King Ludwig's specifications. Back to Anton Pössenbacher; the fame of this man and his prestigious firm is legion. His firm was the designer and builder of practically all the magnificent carved luxury furnishings for Reichmarschal Herman Göring's Prussian lodge, Karinhalle. This master artist was also responsible for all the incredibly fanciful objects of wooden décor at Neuswanstein. See the book, Möbel für den Märchenkönig, Furniture for the Dream King), and the Munich court cabinetmaker, Anton Pössenbacher. Even today, when viewed, these masterpieces of the cabinetmaker's art have lost nothing of their original fascination. Not content with resting upon his laurels in Ludwig's Bavaria, Pössenbacher also designed for other rulers such as King Charles of Rumania for whom he designed an elegant palace library in Bucharest in 1887. After his death the firm that bore his name continued in the proud tradition of excellence in design. The exquisite furnishings in the fabulous Hermann Göring lodge known as Karinhalle were designed partially by the Reichsmarschal, himself, with the advice and final installation by the Pössenbacher firm. Anton would have been prodigiously proud of the masterful execution of this accomplishment in the east Prussian forest. But like the Reichstag furnishings, all of this is gone up in the flames of the savage, hellish onslaught of the bestial, unthinking Russian hordes as they destroyed every cultural object in their path. In the pictures provided by Mr. Cullen, you can see a pair of eagles at the very top of the chair with a floral bouquet. Unfortunately, this is missing and it probably was the part that was being repaired and refitted at the shop where it was found (thank goodness). So, although for now these parts are down the memory hole, we can only hope that someday fate will bring a future master carver to the fore and these pieces will be duplicated from the original pictures and the old throne may once more sit in the Reichstag building where it belongs. We offered this prodigiously important imperious monumental masterwork to the Deutsches Bundestag, but by letter we are told that it is not interested "because this is not the direction that the Museum of the Reichstag wants to go." It would seem that the modern administrators have absolutely no interest in the martial or heraldic relics of Germany's past. The glory of Imperial Germany is of absolutely no interest to the modern Germans, it would seem. Nationalism is now replaced by such things as the Coca-Cola culture and possibly hip-hop. Well, my collector friends, my history covers perhaps that grandiose era during the time that that wonderful building bore the words once proudly chiseled and placed that proclaimed, "Für das Deutschen Volk," "For the German People," is now under such sordid occupation. This Meisterwerk should not be placed there until we can say that it is no longer, as Kaiser "Bill" would poetically say, "Der Reichsaffenhaus!." Unless it disappears into a notable collection in the world's treasure troves, perhaps, just perhaps, it will be ceremoniously returned to the Reichstag's Great Halls.
POR (price on request). We will only discuss this piece and its possible selling price on the telephone (706.782.1668). Please do not ask for further details or price by email. Serious inquiries by museums or established historic trusts are invited. Calls on this are accepted from 9:30 am to 11:00 am U.S. eastern time, or 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm U.S. eastern time.

PRICE: POR

Kaiser Reich

Wonderful Commemorative Gift to a General Field Marshal on his 90th Birthday (Item KHISTORY 1-8)

DESCRIPTION:When we begin to describe this item the word “breathtaking” keeps coming to mind, along with gorgeous, beautiful, historically great, and “wonderful! You might think that this is gilding the lily, but as a pure Germanophile I just can’t help it as I stand in awe of this Teutonic treasure. Never have we seen such heraldic artistry done in such expert jeweler precision and detail. The enameling and the silverwork both front and back, is to say the least, exemplary. The item would be worthy of exhibition in the Dresden Grünes Gewölbe (The Green Vault). This is Europe’s most sumptuous treasure chamber. Believe me; this piece is as fine as some of the patents and silver-trimmed books I have seen there. This is a very elaborate calligraphic manuscript in German signed by the officers of the Magdeburg Fusilier Regiment No. 30. In this case we have a special birthday greeting that honors a man who attained the highest military rank afforded in the German armed services, the office of General Field Marshal. He was also earlier the recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Black Eagle Order of Prussia, the highest award of the state. He was also the recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Black Eagle Order of Prussia, the highest award of that state. The officer receiving this patent is his Excellency Herr Graf (Count) von Blumenthal in commemoration of his 90 years in grateful appreciation and admiration by the officer corps of the Magdesburg Fusilier Regiment No. 30. This was presented in full ceremony on 30 July 1900. It is hand signed by 62 officers that probably served under him at one time or another. What a testament! The patent measures 11 x 14 inches and is covered in rich green leather and decorated with silver floral motif throughout. In its center is the Blumenthal coat of arms in enamel surrounded by silver. The crown under the figure holding the wreath of victory is the typical page to a knight. Under this figure is a knight’s jousting helmet wearing the crown that is typical to a “Graf,” a count in the German royal lineage. At the corners on both sides are oak-leaf clusters with flowing ribbons crafted in silver. In these ribbons there are hand-engraved words describing battles that the marshal lead armies in. These are mostly the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s. They also commemorate his birth and illustrious career. On the back among the floral design and commemorative scrolls is a crown in beautifully enameling; and a cipher of Kaiser Wilhelm I with whom Herr Blumenthal served so faithfully. Through this cipher is a beautiful laurel wreath of victory crafted in gilded silver, and hanging from a ropelike cord with the Prussian colors is the seal that is also presented with the patent. It is in silver with the hand-engraved coat of arms on its front. It is possibly the seal of the city of Halle, where the presentation was made. On the back of this seal case is an enameled shield bearing a depiction of a half moon and stars (part of the Blumenthal arms!) When the case is opened it reveals the wax seal of the regiment of Fusiliers with the Prussian Eagle all in high wax relief. So, perhaps by now you might share my enthusiasm for this treasure bestowed upon such a great soldier of the Reich. The Blumenthal name is sacrosanct in Prussia and Magdeburg and many men of this family made their indelible mark on German history. Where would one find a finer piece of royal military presentation? Astounding!

PRICE: $4,500.00

WW I

Hindenburg Plaque (Item KHISTORY 1-9; WWI 9-14)

DESCRIPTION: This is a wonderful likeness of Field Marshal and Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg. To see more about Hindenburg go to Item KSTATUE 1-2. The plaque is in a light steel material or possible light-gauge iron. The words around the edge come from an old Prussian battle hymn “Der Gott der eisen Wachsen liess der Wolte Keine Knechte,” “The God of Iron will Countenance No Servants,” and the song goes on say that He gave to men whom he created saber, sword, and courage. It is a beautiful martial airs and unfortunately today these sentiments are forgotten as the “sheeple” do the bidding of their politically-correct masters and alien influences and predominance. The plaque is a little more than 13 inches in diameter. The portrait of the marshal is extra fine in detail; even his medals come out clear and concise. The portrait portion measures about 5 1/2 inches in diameter. The wonderful words stand out like a pronouncement of defiance loudly thrust against the complacent and lobotomized world of today. This is a great art object, a great statement from a more noble time. (Go to Marshal Hindenburg on Wikipedia on the net for more on this subject. Also, go to YouTube.com and enter the name of the song and hear it played and sung.)

PRICE: $695.00

Page One

KaiserReich

Kaiser Reich

Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.

Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.

If you prefer, contact 'Germania' at PO Box 68, Lakemont, GA 30552
or call at 706.782.1668.

Please! do not call during the wee hours of the morning. The best time for calling us is between 9 and 11 am and between 9 and 11 pm eastern time.