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  GERMANY – BUST -RITTMEISTER MANFRED von RICHTHOFEN

  SKU: 26-72 A

  $4,795.00

  In WW I aviation, no individual attracts more attention than Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. He is not only the best-known of WW I Germany’s aces, but of ALL fighter pilots. He set the bar of achievement not only due to his eighty confirmed victories, but as the leader of Jasta 11, then as commander of the “Flying Circus,” JG 1. Who can say why he was and is so popular? He certainly had charisma, not only with his pilots but with the German people. He was every bit a “Rock Star” of his day. He was stopped in the streets by men and women who wanted his autograph. He wrote a best-selling autobiography while recuperating from injuries sustained the first time he was shot down (although he never truly recovered). His company was sought out by many military commanders and royals, including his Kaiser. It was all part of the magic that swirled around him. His death on 21 April 1918 did nothing to end the legend. If anything, it enhanced it. WW II’s Luftwaffe named a fighter unit after him, a practice that has continued to this day. Items pertaining to von Richthofen are extremely popular among collectors ninety years after his death. Sanke postcards can often fetch more than one hundred dollars. Any small item that relates to him can command serious money.

  Today we are both excited and pleased to be offering an amazing artifact connected to this famous young man. It is what I would term a “half-sized” bust of our hero. It is “half-sized” in that it is not life-sized. It stands 15″ tall, 8″ wide, and 5″ deep. His head alone measures 8″ x 6″ x 6 ½” (at the nose). I believe it is made of bisque (i.e., unglazed) porcelain. The great man is wearing his leather flight helmet. Pushed up on his forehead are his goggles. Below his chin and suspended from a ribbon is his over sized Orden Pour le Mérite. (He proudly wore it from January 1917 until his death in April 1918). As is the custom with busts, his chest is cut in a “V” pattern that eliminates his arms. The bust stands on a circular base that is 2 ½” tall and 6″ in diameter at the base. On the base is a line of text reading “Roter Baron.” A second line states “Manfred v. Richthofen.” The base’s reverse lists his birth and death years (1892-1918). The bust is amazingly detailed. His eyebrows are clearly delineated, as are the pupils of his eyes. His nose and lips are handsomely detailed. The base’s bottom bears a hallmark for Südgau Porzelanmanufaktur. I had a very well versed collector of statues, busts, and royalty plates examine it. He is quite impressed with the bust’s quality and execution. His opinion is that the bust was created between in the 1920’s or 1930’s. He and I are not certain for what purpose it was created or how many examples may have existed. His final remark to me following his examination was that he could only remember seeing one like it in the past. The bust comes from an old and trusted former East German source who occasionally finds me amazing pieces. Needless to say, this would make a centerpiece for any collection. Its overall condition is excellent. It shows just enough soiling and honest age to give one a level of comfort.

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  In WW I aviation, no individual attracts more attention than Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. He is not only the best-known of WW I Germany’s aces, but of ALL fighter pilots. He set the bar of achievement not only due to his eighty confirmed victories, but as the leader of Jasta 11, then as commander of the “Flying Circus,” JG 1. Who can say why he was and is so popular? He certainly had charisma, not only with his pilots but with the German people. He was every bit a “Rock Star” of his day. He was stopped in the streets by men and women who wanted his autograph. He wrote a best-selling autobiography while recuperating from injuries sustained the first time he was shot down (although he never truly recovered). His company was sought out by many military commanders and royals, including his Kaiser. It was all part of the magic that swirled around him. His death on 21 April 1918 did nothing to end the legend. If anything, it enhanced it. WW II’s Luftwaffe named a fighter unit after him, a practice that has continued to this day. Items pertaining to von Richthofen are extremely popular among collectors ninety years after his death. Sanke postcards can often fetch more than one hundred dollars. Any small item that relates to him can command serious money.

  Today we are both excited and pleased to be offering an amazing artifact connected to this famous young man. It is what I would term a “half-sized” bust of our hero. It is “half-sized” in that it is not life-sized. It stands 15″ tall, 8″ wide, and 5″ deep. His head alone measures 8″ x 6″ x 6 ½” (at the nose). I believe it is made of bisque (i.e., unglazed) porcelain. The great man is wearing his leather flight helmet. Pushed up on his forehead are his goggles. Below his chin and suspended from a ribbon is his over sized Orden Pour le Mérite. (He proudly wore it from January 1917 until his death in April 1918). As is the custom with busts, his chest is cut in a “V” pattern that eliminates his arms. The bust stands on a circular base that is 2 ½” tall and 6″ in diameter at the base. On the base is a line of text reading “Roter Baron.” A second line states “Manfred v. Richthofen.” The base’s reverse lists his birth and death years (1892-1918). The bust is amazingly detailed. His eyebrows are clearly delineated, as are the pupils of his eyes. His nose and lips are handsomely detailed. The base’s bottom bears a hallmark for Südgau Porzelanmanufaktur. I had a very well versed collector of statues, busts, and royalty plates examine it. He is quite impressed with the bust’s quality and execution. His opinion is that the bust was created between in the 1920’s or 1930’s. He and I are not certain for what purpose it was created or how many examples may have existed. His final remark to me following his examination was that he could only remember seeing one like it in the past. The bust comes from an old and trusted former East German source who occasionally finds me amazing pieces. Needless to say, this would make a centerpiece for any collection. Its overall condition is excellent. It shows just enough soiling and honest age to give one a level of comfort.

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  JACK D. HUNTER – ORIGINAL PAINTING – FEATURING ONE ALBATROS D. Va AND ONE SE-5

  SKU: 16-392

  $1,495.00 $1,196.00

  JACK D. HUNTER – ORIGINAL PAINTING – FEATURING ONE ALBATROS D. Va AND ONE SE-5

  The late Jack D. Hunter was an amazing talent and a good friend. One of my favorite “Jack” stories occurred when his first book (The Blue Max) was being prepared for publication. As was standard for first-time authors, Jack was informed that his dust jacket would be rendered in black and white (artwork AND color were too expensive for a writer without a proven sales record). Jack, however, told the publisher that HE would provide the artwork if the dust jacket was published in color. The publisher printed 5,000 (a first-time author’s standard run) hardback copies, in color, as The Blue Max’s first edition. It became a top-seller as soon as it was published, then quickly was snapped up and turned into a major motion picture starring George Peppard, James Mason, and Ursula Andress. Jack went on to write seventeen books before his 2009 death. In addition, he became a talented aviation artist whose work resides in museums’ and enthusiasts’ art collections all over the world. Throughout his years as an artist, Jack produced paintings in two basic sizes. His more commonly-seen artwork was larger, measuring 13 ½” x 18 ½.” Occasionally, Jack also produced a smaller size that measured 9 3/8″ x 14 3/8.”

  Today we are offering one of his paintings in the smaller and more compact size. Its simple, elegant, black, molded frame measures 14 3/8″ x 19 3/8.” The painting’s subject is an encounter between an Albatros D. Va and a British SE-5. The Albatros is in the foreground and the SE-5 is in the background. The British plane is nosing down on his way to the ground. If you look carefully, you will note that some of the guy wires have become detached and the English bird is mortally wounded. In the lower left corner we see where Jack has signed the painting. The reverse features a hand printed note by Jack D. Hunter describing the painting’s action. The description ends with his signature. This beautiful painting would be outstanding in any collection.

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  JACK D. HUNTER – ORIGINAL PAINTING – FEATURING ONE ALBATROS D. Va AND ONE SE-5

  The late Jack D. Hunter was an amazing talent and a good friend. One of my favorite “Jack” stories occurred when his first book (The Blue Max) was being prepared for publication. As was standard for first-time authors, Jack was informed that his dust jacket would be rendered in black and white (artwork AND color were too expensive for a writer without a proven sales record). Jack, however, told the publisher that HE would provide the artwork if the dust jacket was published in color. The publisher printed 5,000 (a first-time author’s standard run) hardback copies, in color, as The Blue Max’s first edition. It became a top-seller as soon as it was published, then quickly was snapped up and turned into a major motion picture starring George Peppard, James Mason, and Ursula Andress. Jack went on to write seventeen books before his 2009 death. In addition, he became a talented aviation artist whose work resides in museums’ and enthusiasts’ art collections all over the world. Throughout his years as an artist, Jack produced paintings in two basic sizes. His more commonly-seen artwork was larger, measuring 13 ½” x 18 ½.” Occasionally, Jack also produced a smaller size that measured 9 3/8″ x 14 3/8.”

  Today we are offering one of his paintings in the smaller and more compact size. Its simple, elegant, black, molded frame measures 14 3/8″ x 19 3/8.” The painting’s subject is an encounter between an Albatros D. Va and a British SE-5. The Albatros is in the foreground and the SE-5 is in the background. The British plane is nosing down on his way to the ground. If you look carefully, you will note that some of the guy wires have become detached and the English bird is mortally wounded. In the lower left corner we see where Jack has signed the painting. The reverse features a hand printed note by Jack D. Hunter describing the painting’s action. The description ends with his signature. This beautiful painting would be outstanding in any collection.

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• 

  CHRISTMAS 1919 PLATE FROM KPM

  SKU: 14-428

  $395.00

  During WW I, the House of Hohenzollern’s royal porcelain firm KPM issued a number of patriotic plates, cups, etc. With the war’s end, KPM continued to issue Christmas plates and offer some of Germany’s finest china….

   

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  During WW I, the House of Hohenzollern’s royal porcelain firm KPM issued a number of patriotic plates, cups, etc. With the war’s end, KPM continued to issue Christmas plates and offer some of Germany’s finest china. [KPM, Meissen, and Rosenthal still do so today, as all three survived both WW I and WW II]. The plate measures 8″ in diameter. Its central theme is a pilot sitting on the edge of his airplane (a biplane). He is holding up a baby angel who is raising a hand in salute. A garland of laurel leaves is draped over the plane behind the baby. The plane’s side mentions Christmas (Weihnachten) 1919. [KPM and Berlin are also mentioned on the aircraft’s side]. A thin green trim band surrounds the scene, which is further encircled by another wider green band with red berries that hails the Christmas season. On the reverse we see all the correct marks for KPM. Two other sets of marks are a reference to the series of which this plate is a part. One of them indicates that the plate is number 50 of 86 plates in the series. This makes it a relatively rare plate!

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