Dear Colleagues,
I am not big into collecting autographs, but this group kept popping up in my eBay feed so I decided to take a chance. I received two photos of Wehrmacht veteran Generaloberst Horst Stechbart (1925-2016). One was a formal portrait with full decorations and the other was an autographed copy of the general passing in review of the Republic Day military parade. Conducted on October 7, 1989, it celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the DDR. Within a few months, the DDR would be no more. On December 31, 1989, Stechbarth retired to Schwielowsee, a municipality in Brandenburg.
Also included was the stamped, self addressed envelope of the original requester of the autograph. I initially thought that the envelope was filler to stop the pictures from getting folded. I was going to cut out the stamps for my collection when I noticed General Stechbarth's return address label on the back of the envelope. Judging by the handwriting and the pink ink, it would appear as though the requester, Sophie, was a young lady living in Berlin-Spandau in the former West Berlin. I wonder what her motives were in requesting the autograph? Ostalgie? A budding collector? School project? Or did someone in the family put her up to the request just for possible resale later? I'd be interested in learning your thoughts. I was also wondering if someone could decode the post mark in an effort to determine when the request was made. Of course, if anyone has any interesting anecdotes on General Stechbarth, I'd be happy to hear those as well.
Many thanks,
TJ
I am not big into collecting autographs, but this group kept popping up in my eBay feed so I decided to take a chance. I received two photos of Wehrmacht veteran Generaloberst Horst Stechbart (1925-2016). One was a formal portrait with full decorations and the other was an autographed copy of the general passing in review of the Republic Day military parade. Conducted on October 7, 1989, it celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the DDR. Within a few months, the DDR would be no more. On December 31, 1989, Stechbarth retired to Schwielowsee, a municipality in Brandenburg.
Also included was the stamped, self addressed envelope of the original requester of the autograph. I initially thought that the envelope was filler to stop the pictures from getting folded. I was going to cut out the stamps for my collection when I noticed General Stechbarth's return address label on the back of the envelope. Judging by the handwriting and the pink ink, it would appear as though the requester, Sophie, was a young lady living in Berlin-Spandau in the former West Berlin. I wonder what her motives were in requesting the autograph? Ostalgie? A budding collector? School project? Or did someone in the family put her up to the request just for possible resale later? I'd be interested in learning your thoughts. I was also wondering if someone could decode the post mark in an effort to determine when the request was made. Of course, if anyone has any interesting anecdotes on General Stechbarth, I'd be happy to hear those as well.
Many thanks,
TJ
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