Ehrenrangliste der Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine 1914–1918, Berlin 1930

Original Imperial German naval honor and service register titled Ehrenrangliste der Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine 1914–18, issued in Berlin in 1930 by the Marine-Offizier-Verband (Naval Officers’ Association). This authoritative reference work documents the officers of the Imperial German Navy who served during the First World War, recording their careers, wartime assignments, promotions, decorations, and fates between 1914 and 1918.

The full German title translates into English as:
“Honor Rank List of the Imperial German Navy 1914–1918.”

The volume was originally compiled by Konteradmiral a. D. Stoelzel (Retired Rear Admiral Stoelzel). After his death in September 1928, the continuation and completion of the work was undertaken by Kapitän zur See a. D. Waldemar Krah (Retired Captain at Sea), as explained in the printed Gedenkblatt (Memorial Page). The foreword (Vorwort) clearly states the purpose of the book: to honor fallen naval comrades, preserve the service records of the Imperial Navy, and provide an official historical accounting of the Kaiserliche Marine in the aftermath of the war and the collapse of the Empire.

This example is bound in its original red cloth boards with gilt-stamped title on the front cover and spine. The front cover bears the Imperial naval eagle in gilt. The spine reads Ehrenrangliste der Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine 1914–1918. The binding is complete but shows notable period wear, including fraying and loss along the spine edges, softened corners, surface rubbing, and cloth thinning consistent with heavy reference use. The spine remains present but exhibits splitting and exposed inner material at the joints.

The interior retains its original patterned endpapers decorated with repeating Imperial eagles and naval anchors. Visible handwritten ink inscriptions are present on the front endpaper, consisting of a personal name and notation; these are period additions and not part of the original publication. The title page confirms publication in Berlin, 1930, with printing by Thormann & Goetsch, Berlin SW 48, Besselstraße 17. All text is in German.

Internally, the book contains extensive tabulated listings arranged by rank, including Leutnants zur See and higher officer grades. Entries record name, date of birth, date of entry into service, wartime postings, ships served aboard, U-boat service where applicable, promotions, and remarks noting deaths, transfers, or postwar status. Sample pages show dense, finely printed columns typical of official military reference works.

Historically, this Ehrenrangliste is one of the most important primary sources for research into the Imperial German Navy of the First World War. It is indispensable for collectors and historians researching named naval awards, officer documents, U-boat personnel, and career verification. The book reflects the institutional effort by former Imperial officers to preserve naval history during the Weimar period, at a time when official Imperial records were fragmented or inaccessible.Condition is fair to good overall. The book is complete and fully legible throughout. Binding wear is significant at the spine, with fraying and separation visible, but the pages remain intact and securely attached. Interior pages show light toning, minor edge wear, and handling marks consistent with age and professional use. No modern repairs or restoration are evident.