Description
Bavaria / Germany – Photograph – Felix Von Bothmer and Hans Ritter Von Hemmer – Autographed by Both
This is an original photo postcard of Generaloberst Felix Graf von Bothmer (1852-1937). Von Bothmer was a Bavarian and before WW I he served in both the Prussian and Bavarian General Staffs. He was appointed a General der Infanterie in 1910. During WW I he commanded a variety of units on both the Western and Eastern fronts where he won several battle on the latter front. He achieved the final rank of Generaloberst and was awarded both the Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves and the Bavarian Military Max Joseph Order which was the highest decoration offered by Bavaria for both bravery and military achievement. Crown Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria gave the eulogy at his funeral.
Also shown in the photograph is his Chief of Staff Oberstleutnant (Later Oberst) Hans Ritter von Hemmer (1869-1931). He was awarded the Military Max Joseph Order in 1915 which carried a non hereditary Knighthood. He would also be awarded the Pour le Mérite in 1917.
As with many of the items from this collection they came from the collection of a German collector who would write and ask for a signed photograph or letter. The original photograph is signed by both von Bothmer and von Hemmer on the reverse on December 11, 1919 with von Hemmer signing the day after von Bothmer a they review a map on a table. This is a rare opportunity to acquire the signatures of two PLM winners.