$650.00
This is a very fine example of a naval officer’s daily-wear belt and buckle, measuring 38 ½” in length. A larger-sized Navy buckle, measuring 2″ in diameter, is attached. We see the daily-wear belt and buckle far less often than we do the dress brocade belt and buckle. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one.
This is a very fine example of a naval officer’s daily-wear belt and buckle, measuring 38 ½” in length. A larger-sized Navy buckle, measuring 2″ in diameter, is attached. We see the daily-wear belt and buckle far less often than we do the dress brocade belt and buckle. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one.
Sold
This is a very fine example of a naval officer’s daily-wear belt and buckle, measuring 38 ½” in length. A larger-sized Navy buckle, measuring 2″ in diameter, is attached. We see the daily-wear belt and buckle far less often than we do the dress brocade belt and buckle. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one.
$3,495.00
Alfred von Tirpitz (1849-1930) was one of the Kaiserliche Marine’s best known admiräle (admirals). The shoulder board measures 1 7/8″ x 4 3/16.” It displays four gilt-toned pips on its obverse. Its reverse reveals that it is of the slip-on variety, which is correct. Its backing material boasts a rich, 100% correct, navy-blue color that is proper for a naval officer’s shoulder boards. We can also see where each pip has been attached.
In addition we are offering a postcard and handwritten letter…..
Alfred von Tirpitz (1849-1930) was one of the Kaiserliche Marine’s best known admiräle (admirals). He joined the Navy in 1865. At that time the Prussian Navy was very small and insignificant. [When the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War took place, the Prussian Navy was far outnumbered by the French Navy. The Prussians stayed in port during the conflict, (engendering embarrassment for their lack of participation)]. Early in his career, Tirpitz was involved in the development of torpedoes, then Torpedo-Boots. He held a number of administrative and tactical commands. In 1895, he was promoted to the rank of Konteradmiral. In 1899, he was promoted to Vizeadmiral. The following year he was ennobled. In 1903, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral. His final promotion was to Großadmiral, which took place in 1911. (We will return to that later). In the late 1890’s, he became more involved in the Kaiserliche Marine’s political/administrative arm. From 1897-1916, he served as the “Secretary of State of the Imperial German Naval Office.” Von Tirpitz was responsible for the Navy’s growth. With the Kaiser’s support, the Navy greatly increased its numbers of battleships and cruisers. This led to an arms race with England, with each country enlarging its Navy in competition with its rival.
Von Tirpitz also was responsible for building a fleet of U-Boots, as he felt that they would be very effective against England’s bigger ships (particularly those on duty in the eventual blockade that von Tirpitz realized was inevitable). He also knew submarines would help prevent cargo ships from delivering much needed war materials and food to England. [Interestingly, submarine warfare proved a major problem for Germany. Views about “unrestricted” submarine attacks on civilian targets raged pro and con within the Navy, as well as within the Kaiser’s circle, and those of other political/diplomatic entities. Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare eventually became a prime motivator for the USA’s involvement in WW I].
By 1916, Kaiser Wilhelm withdrew his support for von Tirpitz (a handy scapegoat), forcing him to retire the same year. In 1917, von Tirpitz became involved in a new political party, eventually serving in the Reichstag during the 1920’s. Von Tirpitz remained an important figure within Germany’s military and public life until the late 1920’s. With the rise to party of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), a rebuilt German Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Kriegsmarine (Navy) came into existence. The Kriegsmarine built two modern Bismarck Class Battleships: the famous Bismarck was its lead ship, the Tirpitz was the second. The Bismarck was sunk in May 1941. Bottled up in Norwegian waters, the Tirpitz was not much of a major factor. Ultimately, bombers from the RAF sank her in November 1944.
To truly comprehend von Tirpitz’s importance, one first must understand the rank of Großadmiral. It was instituted by the Kaiserliche Marine in 1901. Prior to that date, the highest rank was Admiral, which was equal to the German Army’s General der Infanterie. As it was the top rank, the Navy had NO rank equivalent to the Army’s ranks of Generaloberst or Generalfeldmarschall. When the Großadmiral’s rank was instituted, it became equivalent to the Army’s rank of Generalfeldmarschall, (the Army’s Generaloberst rank still had NO equivalent).
Only SIX men became Großadmiräle (plural form) from the rank’s 1901 institution through the empire’s end in 1918. The first two, Kaiser Wilhelm II (1901) and Sweden’s King Oscar II (1901), were royals who held the rank on an honorary basis. The next two men, Hans von Koester (1905) and Prussia’s Prince Heinrich (1909), held the rank on a tactical basis. The final two men, Alfred von Tirpitz (1911)[held without patent] and Henning von Holtzendorff (1918), held the rank as the “Secretary of State of the Imperial German Naval Office,” the Navy’s TOP official.
You will note the phrase “held without patent” after Alfred von Tirpitz’s name. When he received his promotion on 27 January 1911, he was given the title “Großadmiral,” BUT did not receive its patent. The lack of that document signifies that von Tirpitz’s rank actually was LOWER than the other five Großadmiräle. The difference becomes evident when we study von Tirpitz’s shoulder boards. The other five Großadmiräle’s shoulder boards sported crossed batons like those of the Generalfeldmarschälle (GFM), while von Tirpitz displayed four pips on his. [Those of you familiar with the German Army’s shoulder boards know that officers who received a patent with their rank wore the crossed batons. Those officers who were designated Generaloberst in the rank of Generalfeldmarschall (an honorary rank generally given to royals WITHOUT direct command authority) sported shoulder boards with the crossed batons AND three pips (combining a Generalfeldmarschall’s crossed batons with a Generaloberst’s three pips), or displayed four pips by themselves]. This was exactly von Tirpitz’s situation. Unlike the other five men, he bore four pips on his shoulder boards and epaulettes.
Several years ago we offered a single von Tirpitz shoulder board with the same configuration. It came from a museum in Germany, and I was very excited to offer it. Today, we are offering ANOTHER single shoulder board that only could have belonged to Alfred von Tirpitz. The shoulder board measures 1 7/8″ x 4 3/16.” It displays four gilt-toned pips on its obverse. Its reverse reveals that it is of the slip-on variety, which is correct. Its backing material boasts a rich, 100% correct, navy-blue color that is proper for a naval officer’s shoulder boards. We can also see where each pip has been attached.
In addition we are offering a postcard which shows von Tirpitz in uniform. If you look closely at the shoulder board that he is wearing on his left shoulder, you will note that it has FOUR pips and not crossed batons. This confirms that von Tirpitz was the only man to have the rank of Großadmiral and to wear a shoulder board with FOUR pips. The shoulder board’s condition is excellent, overall. Interestingly, this shoulder board’s addition means we currently are offering items from THREE of the six Großadmiräle! Only Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prinz Heinrich, and Sweden’s King Oscar II are not currently represented in our inventory.
Also included in this grouping is a handwritten letter from Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1849-1930) to future admiral and commander of the Hochseeflotte (High Seas Fleet) from 1913-1915, Friedrich von Ingenohl (1857-1933). The letter has been written on a piece of paper that measures 9 5/8″ by 7 3/4.” It has been folded in half, which allows four different pages measuring 7 3/4″ x 4″ x 7/8″ for writing. Two of these pages are used in the letter to von Ingenohl.
The letter is dated 2 July 1905 and was written in Nauheim. At the time, von Tirpitz held the post of Naval Secretary of State. The letter is written in ink. Glancing through the letter, I see that von Tirpitz is congratulating von Ingenohl on the occasion of his appointment to serve as Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Flügeladjutant. The following year, von Ingenohl was transferred to command the Kaiser’s royal yacht, S. M. Y. Hohenzollern. (This is an historically important document as it shows when von Ingenohl got on the fast track to Admiral). The letter’s opening is simply “Meine Lieber Ingenohl.” It concludes with the clear and recognizable signature, v. Tirpitz. The letter is written in black ink. Someone with the time and inclination could fully translate the letter.
The letter is in excellent condition for being more than one-hundred-years-old. We will include a postcard of von Tirpitz, so that you can better enjoy the letter.
In stock
$450.00
This is a Kriegstagbuch (daily war book) for a squadron of Torpedoboots. The log covers the period of 1-12 May 1918. The commander (Kommodore) of the squadron was Kapitän zur See Heinrich. The document measures 13″ x 8 1/4.” It has nine pages. The log carries a day-by-day (and by hour, where necessary) account of the squadron’s activities. It was often spilt up into “half-flotillas.” At the end of the report, which is marked “Secret,” Heinrich has signed his name in pencil. It is a very interesting report and great for research.
This is a Kriegstagbuch (daily war book) for a squadron of Torpedoboots. The log covers the period of 1-12 May 1918. The commander (Kommodore) of the squadron was Kapitän zur See Heinrich. The document measures 13″ x 8 1/4.” It has nine pages. The log carries a day-by-day (and by hour, where necessary) account of the squadron’s activities. It was often spilt up into “half-flotillas.” At the end of the report, which is marked “Secret,” Heinrich has signed his name in pencil. It is a very interesting report and great for research.
$895.00
Beginning in the late 19th Century, Germany began building up its presence in China…..
Beginning in the late 19th Century, Germany began building up its presence in China. They “assumed” land at Khiatsou and expanded their foothold in Asia. Ultimately, Germany maintained an entire squadron in China under the command of Vizeadmiral von Spee. When WW I began, he realized that Germany could not hold its base in China. He made arrangements for his squadron to depart and head back to Europe. Sadly for him, after a successful battle off Chile’s coast in November 1914, he met up with the British again in the Battle of Falkland Islands in December 1814. The bulk of his squadron, as well as the Vizeadmiral and his two sons, perished with their respective ships.
German sailors who served in China found remarkable ways to commemorate their service. One very popular way was to produce an embroidered, silk likeness of their ship. Along with that likeness, their ship’s name and their years of service were noted. Usually, a place was provided where a sailor could place his photograph. In most cases you could see that the vessel’s name on his cap tally matched the ship’s name indicated on the silk montage.
The S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta was commissioned in 1895. She was an all-new ship-type, with all-new engines. She was the first Kaiserliche Marine ship to have three shafts and propellers. She had other problems with her guns, so it was another two years before she was ready for fleet service. From 1897 through 1902 she served in East Asia as a part of its Cruiser Squadron. This time included the 1900-1901 Boxer Rebellion. She was in the middle of all the action taking place. In 1902, she returned to Germany and was placed in reserve status. Ship design had passed her by, and she was no longer considered front-line-capable. She was reactivated in 1914 and placed in the Baltic Seas Fleet under the command of Prussia’s Großadmiral Prinz Heinrich. She first was used for coastal defense, then for artillery training. Finally, she was broken up and scrapped in 1920.
Today we are offering something just a bit different. It is a framed presentation for the S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta. The central piece shows a silk-embroidered ship’s profile. A multitude of silk thread colors appear in the image, which is so detailed that the kriegsflagge can be clearly seen flying from the ship’s stern. The smaller German National Flag flies from the bow. Directly below the ship we see S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta handsomely embroidered in silk lettering. Around its image is a red, black, and white thread rope that replicates the German national colors. Below that are multicolored oak leaves and acorns. The image is under glass. The oval-shaped image’s overall measurements are 7 3/4″ x 10.”
As handsome as the image is, it is the frame that really makes it special. The frame is made of lacquered wood that was hand painted in China with images of birds, leaves, and flowers. [It is similar to the wood and lacquer painting on a photo album we are offering in our Colonial Merchandise Page (click here to see)]. The frame measures 12 ½” x 15.” Sadly, some areas of the frame are damaged and show the bare wood underneath the lacquered finish. A simple hanger is on the reverse, which I suggest that you reinforce or replace.
This is a super combination that shows the beauty and artistic attention of China’s artists. I cannot begin to imagine how many hours the artists required to fashion the ship’s likeness. Nor could I begin to count the multitude of stitches made to produce the image. It is simply gorgeous. The same applies to the frame, as well as the patience and dedication that it took to produce it. It is a pity that it sustained some damage, but it remains a gorgeous presentation that highlights Germany’s power in 1898-1914 China.
In stock