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German WWII studio portrait - Kriegsmarine Petty Officer (Maat)
A large size and totally captivating image by a professional photographer printed on an off-white matte finish bromide paper without border. Details on the cap badges are soft being slightly out of focus giving greater emphasis to the striking features.
Very good condition. MInor deterioration to corners and one small scuff mark top left. A few minor marks to the reverse and what appears to be a pencil inscription across the top edge, only very faint traces of which remain.
H:23.9 x W:17.9cm £15.00 + £2.95 P&P UK
WWII German stamped envelope with hand written letter and photograph
Four page letter addressed to Frau Clara Engel in Rodener Strasse, Wiesbaden, written on 11.4.43 and posted a day later in Dresden utilising a 12-PfennIg stamp with the head of Hitler.
Translation as follows.
Dear Clara and Rudi, I have arrived safely in Dresden Thursday morning at 8 o' clock. I departed by train Wednesday night at 11.30pm. Hope you arrived safely at home. I am comfortable here. I cannot talk to Inge, she is not right in her head.
I am not bothered about her any more. Everyday I see mother. I have already seen my sisters-in-law, they were very happy. It is very peaceful here and I can forget everything. People can sleep here in peace, it seems Dresden isn’t as easy to find. (Allied bombers?). The weather is not so nice, as I left home everything was flowering and here it is cold. Hope you are feeling better again. I have trouble with my heart. Next week Tuesday I return home. Hope the weather improves. My older sister-in-law Frieda is here with her young son. He cries like a young bird. The child is already so old but not yet christened. I don't know what is wrong with the youth today. Your mother has no interest in the child and gives it to strangers to look after it. In 3 weeks he will be at his grandmother. The mother can't be bothered. Now all the best and greetings to Rudi and to you. Your sister, Greetings from Frieda and Inge
An interesting insight into everyday life in Germany during the height of the war. Wiesbaden suffered its first air raid in May, 1941 and was subsequently bombed hundreds of times by both British and American planes. Dresden escaped the attention of the Allies until February 1945 when multiple air raids resulted in the infamous firestorm and destruction of the city.
The photograph (9 x 6cm) was with the letter inside the envelope - no doubt a farewell snap - details unknown.
All in good condition.
£12.00 P&P UK £2.95
WWII Wehrpass and Ausmusterungsschein (certificate of rejection) both issued the same day - Fritz Schweiniger
The Wehrpass was a military identification / service record book issued to all conscripts and volunteers in the German Army. In normal use it developed into a comprehensive account of personal details, service information, and details of promotions, awards, injuries, and disciplinary actions. Unsurprisingly as Schweiniger barely lasted one day, only the first five page have entries.
Fritz Schweiniger, born 06/04/1894, was registered for military service and issued with his Wehrpass on 21st August 1943. However, the very same day he was issued with a Ausmusterungsschein - a document given to those who were unfit / disabled and "totally unsuitable to serve the army". Both police and army officials had to sign off these documents and of course forging / misuse was a criminal offence. Unusual, and a great example of German administrative efficiency in excellent vintage condition.
£30.00 + £2.95 P&P UK
WWII photographs - Heer (German Army) interest
Two related photos - one with a young NCO lying on the grass with his pet dachshund (one man and his dog), holding the lead in his left hand - the second photo this time with his girlfriend? who is holding the dog. Both are slightly bowed but in good clean condition. Printed on the reverse of both is the Agfa Lupex logo of the German photographic company that became known as Agfa post-war.
The third unassociated photo, again a (wounded and recovering) NCO who seems to be in very high spirits, no doubt encouraged by his female companion. Also in good condition with the words Junker H857 Koblenz printed on the reverse.
Two photos at: 9 x 6cm. One at 6 x 6cm.
£6.00 + £0.89 P&P UK
WWII photograph - Kriegsmarine (German Navy) interest
'A thorn between two roses' - a quite charming snap showing a relaxed and perhaps bashful German seaman (his eyes are shut) no doubt on leave. On the reverse is a pencil 'scribble' and the word LEONAR faintly printed. Leonar was the brand name for cameras and photographic paper made by Leonar-Werke Arndt & Löwengard in Wandsbek, near Hamburg. Overall condition is a little 'tired' with slight grubbyness to the reverse and light creasing across two corners.
H:6 x W:9cm £3.00 + £0.87 P&P UK
WWII original German photographs
Three unrelated snapshots, two of which have handwritten inscriptions on the reverse, roughly translated as follows:
Top - on field telephone (removed from an album): 'Our regiment's friend Oberst Friedrich'.
Middle portrait - "My old darling, I am a prisoner of war, remember me 14/1/43".
Bottom - German / Italian Axis powers - blank reverse.
Two in very good condition, middle photo has surface creasing marks.
H:6 x W:9cm approx.
£7.00 + £0.89 P&P UK