DESCRIPTION: Here is a solid silver pokal (goblet) that is a traditional German high art form dating back to the 12th century.  This magnificent piece is probably from the 18th century or early 19th. The Krug has three magnificent large coins or medallions that are sealed in the lip of the pokal  We will not be able to venture a guess as to the meaning of the medallions. We can see on the front of the ones with the equestrian figure the words along the edge “Prolege et Grege” and on the other is Patrie 1657 and then “Deo Et” all the figures on horses look like Royal personages. The reverse of the medallions have an abundance of words and one has pictures -- all of which I cannot translate -- too hard to make out. The shield  at the horses feet is the Waffen-Amt of one of the Saxon Municipalities of either Sachsen Konigreich or Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha. One of the horsemen has the date of 1619 on the medallion.  The goblet is 7 ½ inches high with a mouth opening of 5 inches in diameter. The bottom-most portion is 4 inches in diameter. It is clearly marked with crown and 800 stamped on the bottom along with a couple of other marks. The condition is excellent. The body of the piece has beautiful floral design (excellent). This is truly a museum piece and a wonderful example of the art of the German silversmith extraordinaire.
 
PRICE: $1,800.00

Rare Book from the Führer's Library: “Der Erbe Unserer Ahnen” (Item OLD 7-3 & AH 24-3)

DESCRIPTION: This book is rare unto itself in that it is a wonderful assemblage of text and pictures from the history of the Nordic Aryan race, a subject that Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler were intensely interested in. This is a huge book of 562 pages measuring 9" x 11 ½" and almost 2" inches thick. It was published in 1931 and it has hundreds of pictures; both photos and illustrations of ancient relics, ceremonies, the Nordic sagas and legends, runic alphabet and runic carvings, the history of the swastika, Roman history, poems and Edda lore, early Germanic peoples, their living standards, weapons, battles, The Schlacht im Teutobergerwald, Nordic jewelry, pottery, the ancient  kings, warriors , early churchmen, graves, crypts, the sacred Pagan Irminsul, the rocks of the sun, helmets, daggers, swords, etc., and Barbarosa, Charlemagne, Albrecht Durer, Hermann or Arminus, Widukind, Walkuries, Niebelungen, Siegfried, Wotan, Theoderich, Brunhilde, etc. Just about the finest book of the glorious Nordic past ever published and it bears the bookplate of Adolf Hitler!

On the front cover, Hitler had a special section at both the Prinzregentenstrasse apartments and the Berghof where he kept duplicate volumes that he often loaned or sometimes gave to person who he admired -- personal friends, and important guests. This would surely be one of those. The book was purchased along with several other rare volumes at the Frankfurt, Germany book fair several years ago by our European ‘picker.’ There were several of the Hitler volumes and some from Goebbel's, and Goring's collections. There were also about 35 books from the SS Totenkopf library of the Standarte Oberbayern. Of the Hitler volumes, we believe this one to be the best of all, considering the subject at hand. The book is in wonderful condition; the cover is very handsome with gold leaf lettering and with two Germanic swords illustrated. This is a fantastic find and a great offering.

PRICE: $895 00

DESCRIPTION: This is an utterly magnificent example of this combination weapon, a true museum piece in every sense of the word.  A pistol sword essentially is a sword with a pistol attached usually alongside of the blade. It differs from a rifle with bayonet in that the weapon is designed primarily as a sword and the firearm component is typically considered a secondary weapon, designed to be an addition to the blade rather than the sword being a secondary addition to the pistol. In addition, the two components of the weapons typically cannot be separated, unlike most bayonet fixed rifles. Historically, some early flintlock pistols were constructed as gun-swords with the barrel of the pistol attached to the side of the blade of a short sword or dagger. A shell guard protected the firing mechanism when it was employed in battle or in the hunt. These combination weapons were used by German and French hunters to kill wounded wild boar.  Examples of these hunting weapons can be found in the armory of Wawel Castle at Krakow, Poland and several great ones can be see at the Jagdmuseum in Munich. Their collection is the best. Hunting with this type weapon was mostly enjoyed by royalty or landed gentry; such fine hunting weapons such as these were not used by the peasant class. These items were masterfully made by the finest weapon cutlers of the age. They were very expensive in their time thus their usage was pretty much limited to the rich and affluent. This magnificent example that we offer is exceptionally well made with straight blade. The grip is covered in ray skin. The clamshell guard that protects the action is in brass with a central human figure with a bull that may have been a riding mount within “poetic saga.” This could possibly be the familiar portrayal of Europa with the bull. To each side of this pair are figures of mythical men that would put you in mind of Hercules or the Titans. These figures are all very worn (good wear) from many years of usage. The blade shows some engraving of game, deer and boar that are also quite worn down; there is also some vestige of Celtic or Teutonic design at the base of the blade. The D Guard and the finial are also in decorated brass. The weapon undoubtedly dates from the early 18th century. The flintlock pistol that is attached is of steel and is engraved with a running wild boar nicely offered in typical artistic style of that century. The firearm component is finished like a fine weapon not crude like other specimens we have seen. The pistol is signed F Schunke in Bingen -- this would be the hamlet of Bingen am Rhein. The entire mechanism functions perfectly, the gun is in practically perfect condition with the engraving on it much finer and very noticeably un-worn, unlike the sword.  This is because the gun is virtually protected from wear by the clamshell guard and was not exposed to the wear that the sword was. This weapon in German is a Hirshfanger: the traditional sidearm of the German hunter. Only a few were ever made in this combination style and thus are extremely rare and seldom found today. The greater preponderance of them have been snapped up over the centuries by museums and prestigious collectors. To have one as fine as this wonderful example makes us very proud to be able to offer it -- this is possibly one of the greatest weapons we have ever offered. A collector of German hunting weapons would do very well to add this one to his collection and it almost would have to be the “Alpha Addition” at least.  

PRICE: $8,500.00 -- most reasonable for what can only be described as a genuine Teutonic treasure.

DESCRIPTION: This is an incredible looking Burgonet that would, if authentic, be a late medieval, early modern combat helmet. It came into popularity towards the end of the 16th century. It was worn by Cuirassiers demi-Lancers and Hussars typically open faced and often decorated with fins on the top. Burgonets were a very popular helmet type among regiments of Polish winged Hussars also common among Swiss and German Landsknecht Freebooters. Also very much used by Italian mercenaries in a version without the Morion comb as see here. The Italian models were much more decorated sometimes actually ‘gaudy.’ This helmet is a re-creation made for the Victorian and Albert Museum by the famous metalworkers Elkington in Britain founded in the 1840’s in Birmingham. They were the original pioneers of electroplate, electrotyping, Sheffield silver and other products. They were all the rage in the Victorian era making beautiful regal items usually of historic interest. The company had a special arrangement with the Victorian and Albert Museum and they turned out many swords and armor for the museum that were put on display as accurate representative examples of rare historic pieces. When an original piece would show up and be purchased the often magnificent replications usually found their way to the finer antique shops and galleries. Please note that a 16th century Burgonet of this quality would cost in the neighborhood of $300,000 to half a million. This is a faithful and identical museum copy with a quality of divine beauty personified. In the US the Corcoron Gallery of Art Museum in Washington, D.C. founded in 1869, has an entire gallery of art like this example made and manufactured by Elkington, many bronze replications of the great Renaissance armors and works of art are to be seen there. Inside the back neck guard of the helmet can be seen the plaque that has the Victorian Crown the Shamrock, Thistle and Rose with (V.R.) with the words Department of Science and art (Elkington). This is the authorization planchet that Elkington was authorized to use with exclusive permission of the museum. This helmet probably dates anywhere from the 1850’s to possible as late as the 1890’s. It is an incredible relic made in a better age to represent another earlier age. This is an opportunity to acquire a very rare and beautiful object d’ art that is 100% a true museum treasure.  

UNDER-PRICED AT: $4.500.00

DESCRIPTION: A beautiful gold washed bronze of the Saxon Chief Widukund. Very little is known about the life of Widukund. All sources about him stem from his enemies, the Franks, who painted a negative picture of him as an insurgent and a ‘traitor.’ He was first mentioned in 777 when he was the only one of the Saxon nobles not to appear at Charlemagne's court in Paderborn. His circa is 730-808 and after the Saxon Frankish wars and forced baptism he became known as “Blessed Widukind.” He was the chief antagonist of Charlemagne during these bloody wars. He married Geva of Westford c.770-800, daughter of the Danish king Goimo I and sister of the Danish kings Ragnar and Siegfried. Widukund was the moving spirit in the struggles of the Saxons for their independence and continuation of their traditional faith. Frankish accounts of the Saxon wars give only scant outlines of his character. After Charlemagne subdued the Saxons in 777, Widukund found refurge with his wife’s relatives in Denmark. When Charlemagne went to Spain in 77, Widukund returned and revived the rebellion, and the Saxons raided Frankish regions. Several more times Widukund had to flee, and eventually Charlemagne subdued the Saxons and inflicted terrible punishment at the Blood Verdict of Verden where 4,500 tribal leaders were allegedly beheaded. The bitter struggles involved Wends and Frisians as well and continued until Charlemagne succeeded forcefully with threats of genocide against his people, persuaded Widukund to accept Christianity. Widukund was baptized in 785 along with many of his people at Attigny. The Pope ordered a general feast of thanksgiving. Widukund took no part in further Saxon wars. He soon became one of the heroes of legend and eventually appeared as a saintly figure becoming “Blessed Widukund” and the builder of many churches. He is believed to have been buried at Engernea Herford around 808.  However, the monumental tablet in the church of Enger is not from the 9th century, and so it is doubtful if the corpse inside is actually that of Widukund. This once bitter foe of Charlemagne, thus became his friend and godson. His feast day is commemorated on January 7. According to myth, Widukund rode a black horse before his baptism and a white horse afterwards. The black horse is depicted in the coat of arms of the district of Hereford, while his white horse is depicted on the flags of the North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower states of Germany. Widukund is also a Dutch fraternity located in Nijmegen which was founded in 1945. The controversy reached into the conversations between Adolf Hitler and SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler. Hitler thought that Charlemagne’s deeds were necessary so as to advance civilization and intellectual progress of the Aryan race at that point in time. Certainly it marked an event that did much to change the course of history. This bronze statue of the Saxon hero is quite beautiful indeed.  He is shown with axe and shield standing defiantely against the usurpers of Germanic ‘Kultur.”  His winged helmet is almost a declaration of war in itself!  He wears a tunic of chained mail, his sword hangs at his side under the shield suspended by a chain hanger. He stands about 6 inches high with the base. The gilting is 100% intact.  A beautiful bronze sculpture and a beautiful symbol of righteous defiance against a cruel and powerful enemy.  “The Tea Party on steroids!”  Widukund only knelt before Karl the Great to save his people from anillation. His honor, bravery, and selfless leadership will be remembered in the annals of history.  He was like Hermann the Cheruskin -- a hero of the Volk! Small but dynamic! One of the better bronzes we have ever seen.

PRICE: $2,150.00 

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