Ehrengeschenk to Unteroffizier Römer

[Gordon Craig]

This Ehrengeschenk sold on ebay.de on 11 Dec. For euros 51.00 which is slightly more than I was bidding on it. I wish now that I had bid higher. It is an unusual piece and I have not seen one like it before. The Ehrengeschenk was presented to Unteroffizier Römer, by the Wehkreiskommando Rundolstat in recognition of his three years of honorable service in the NVA from 02.05.1973 to 30.11.1976. This was probably done in preparation for a reserve officer career.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

#2,

[uscob]

I would say he did more than serving for 3 Years. Even if honourably.
He must have did something very Special during his duty. These Presents were allway's very expensive, even in the Workers Paradise.

[Ralph P]

I agree with Nico. I would be interested in reading if another member has more information about this person's career.

[Rev462]

Gordon,

These sorts of things aren't my specialty but I must say I've never seen anything quite like this before. Had I spotted it, I may have gone after it. It would look great in my living room!

It does make one wonder - what did you have to do to earn such a thing?

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

The question of "What would one have to do to earn one of these things?" will haunt us for some time. Since there was no paperwork with the vase we will probably never know.
Vases were not an unusual gift for long service etc. but this one intrigued me because the recipient only served for 3 years.
I tried to buy a clear glass engraved vase several years ago that had been presented for 25 years of service. It had a silver plaque attached to it. For some unknown reason the vendor broke off contact part way though our email exchange and I lost track of the vase. I'll manage to acquire one some day.

Regards,

Gordon

[Kartofelpreußer]

As the guy on American Pickers says, "The time to buy something one of a kind is when you see it." Probably something like this would be worth chasing if it's something that catches your eye. Good news is that you'll have missing this to carry forward as a lesson next time something similar pops up. I can't tell you how many times I've missed something that made me resolve to not let "the next one" get away.

Half the fun of collecting...

[ehrentitle]

As the guy on American Pickers says, "The time to buy something one of a kind is when you see it." Probably something like this would be worth chasing if it's something that catches your eye. Good news is that you'll have missing this to carry forward as a lesson next time something similar pops up. I can't tell you how many times I've missed something that made me resolve to not let "the next one" get away.

Half the fun of collecting...

Well said!

[Gordon Craig]

As the guy on American Pickers says, "The time to buy something one of a kind is when you see it." Probably something like this would be worth chasing if it's something that catches your eye. Good news is that you'll have missing this to carry forward as a lesson next time something similar pops up. I can't tell you how many times I've missed something that made me resolve to not let "the next one" get away.

Half the fun of collecting...

I agree and unfortunately not new news to me. Unfortunately, I was bidding on three items whoes auctions ended at approximately the same time. Only so much cash and time. In hind sight I should have put all of my eggs in the vase basket since I didn't win any of the three auctions. It is unfortunate that as people we seem to need to keep learning the same lesson over and over again.

Regards,

Gordon

[Dallasfan]

Hi Gordon

A nice Vase , I saw it too .
What I missed in the discription was how big it was .
I could have been a Vase from about 30 cm in height , but it also could have been 10-15 cm in height . ( mostly they are small )

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Ehrengeschenk...ht_3393wt_1346

Regards , Johan

[Kartofelpreußer]

It is unfortunate that as people we seem to need to keep learning the same lesson over and over again.

You could carve those words on my tombstone, not only for the repeated mistakes I've made collecting, but in just about every other aspect of my life too.

[tony james]

i think that i have some info on this guy who if it is who i think it is was a panzer soldat who was also awarded the vvo in bronze as a feldwebel in the late 50"s.

tony

[tony james]

well i jumped the gun on this one .the soldat that i was thinking of was oberfeldwebel rompe.the book "armee for freedom and socialism" mentions a little background on officers from general to soldat that have what you might say "gone the extra mile" for the state. when i get the time i'll try to find any info on this soldat.



tony

[Thälmannpionier]

Gordon,

IMO we look at a "Ehrengeschenk" from the WKK to a Reserve Uffz. for 3 years "Reservearbeit".
This was nothing special in the DDR. many ex-nva officers and in some occasions even normal ex-soldiers (private first class) were in the Reserve..but most just participated the annually Training Exercises and maybe help out somewhere sometime..but some Officers were very active in the "Reserve Work" and I guess this Uffz was one and got this nice vase for his duty..
also the word "Ehrendienst" has a stronger meaning towards a "after army reserve career" ..sorry for all the """"" in the text;-)


btw, the soldiers head looks somehow like a Regulierer Helmet to me...

[Thälmannpionier]

i meant soldiers helmet not head