Three PLM groupings at once

[saschaw]

Many Thanks, Trevor!

[Steve P]

Yes, they were stunning...one or two lots in particularly great condition! And to be hbonest I thought the prices were not so bad...

[gregM]

What a great thread

Thanks for posting these great groups. It's nice to see good , sharp pictures of these fantastic PLMs.

The silver guilt piece is absolutely stunning

Thank you Trevor and Robin.

[Brian S]

The mini PlM is interesting. Not a Godet. Yet the crosses are Godet. Or if Godet, what is it?

[regular122]

More on the Wulff groups. Posted before in the Godet thread but appropriate here.


Fritz Wulff was a Captain on duty when the German Army mobilized in 1914 and became an incredibly brave and highly decorated junior officer that rose in ability. Five times wounded and a veteran of the Somme, Wulff was a Major commanding a battalion near Siosson in June 1918 when his actions leading a counterattack in the Chemin des Dames earned him a nomination for the Pour le Merite. It was at the heights in Montrebeau in late September and early October 1918 when this officer once again came to the attention of the high command and his name was forwarded again for the PlM, this time by Generalleutnant von Kleist. Three days later, on October 8th, 1918, Wulff was informed that he had indeed been awarded the PlM.

The date and circumstances of his awarding are not known. With the German Army in its death throes for the remaining month in the war, Wulff may have never been awarded a silver-gilt Wagner. But it is known he acquired a silver-gilt Godet.

After the war, Wulff, like so many PlM recipients, rallied former troops against the communists in the regions where they lived. Now a police commander in Essen, Wulff was instrumental in putting down the 'Kapp Putsch' in 1920. It was during these actions that his wartime acquired Godet became chipped.

His family stated that he acquired the second Godet shortly thereafter. What makes this important is that we now have a named example on record where a second award replaced the damaged first. The second post-war award is marked 'JGuS' and '938' on the pie wedge.

Data on Fritz Wulff's late wartime acquired Godet.

Specifications
Width - 52.12mm
Height - 54.04mm
Marks - 'JGuS' and '938' on the pie wedge rim
Chipped enamel on reverse
Weight - 32.8 g

Data on Fritz Wulff's replacement Godet acquired in the early 1920s.

Specifications
Width - 53.47mm
Height - 54.64mm
Marks - 'JGuS' and '938' on the pie wedge rim
Weight - 22.24 g Silver-Gilt Hollow
Remarks - Eagle tail feathers are more streamline and long, similar to type commonly called Schickle.

The fine gentleman that owned these awards obtained them years ago via Detlev through the Wulff family. They have VERY solid provenance. Steve

[streptile]

Thanks for this information, Steve.

So, just to be clear, Major Fritz Wulf (Group 1) and Major Fritz Wulff (Group 3) are the same person, despite different spellings to the last name?

I know I'm a little slow, it's Monday morning...

[regular122]

Same man. Friedrich 'Fritz' Wulff. I've misspelled it dozens of times myself. Steve

[Zepenthusiast]

I've been zooming in on the picture of Wulff which accompanied the documents, both here and on Detlev's site. The appearance of the cross arms, and the suggestion of a Baroque suspension would seem to suggest he is wearing a ? presumed issue Wagner for the photo. The purchaser likely alone now has direct access to the original image to confirm this, though perhaps Detlev knows the answer. Are there known 938 silver crosses (Godet or otherwise) post-war?

Jim

[regular122]

Jim,

I think the answer must be yes. The Wulff piece alone substantiates that with the 1920s purchase by Fritz Wulff after his first one was damaged in the Kapp Putsch. This was a hollow piece of lighter weight, however.

But, being so close to the end of the war, it is possible that it was from stock made during the war by Godet for their private purchase pieces. I say this because the Godet piece belonging to Daniel Gerth and purchased after the war was marked 925. Steve

[FG TR 82]

Like Christmas just to see these! If my pockets were deep enough for these, they'd be draggin' the sidewalk.... Lance

[JustinG]

Superb PLM godet sold grouping with documents today on Detlev's site. Awesome!

Regards,
JustinG

http://www.detlev-niemann.de/en/catalog/99/1/6490.html


I can't post photo. Sorry folks.

[Les]

The first time I looked at the photos, something didn't register. Looking at the medal bar again, I noticed the description states the medals are mounted on a "provisorc bar" to shown how they were worn. The medal bar isn't a real bar at all, and may be a tribute bar.

That implies the "bar" was not the one worn by Wulff and seen in the photo. The back of the photo shows a "bar" with no pin-back for wearing.

A question arisesm particularly since there are so many items attributed to Wulff in the group, of what happened to the actual medal bar worn by Wulff, and if the "medal bar" in the group was put together as a "tribute bar" using medals that may not have belonged to Wulff at all.

The "Hindenburg" seen in the photo is loose and wasn't mounted on the bar. Interestingly, Wulff died in Kassel November 1934.

L.

Group 3

[regular122]

Only Detlev could answer for sure. I know the previous owner had many of Wulff's actual separate medals. We may be able to see if these were stitched together by him or if new older versions were made in a provisional bar. Steve

[regular122]

Les,

The current owner informs me that the medals are his original medals. They were purchased loose by the original owner and he put them into a temporary, non-damaging, removable set up. The current owner received them as you see here. They do display nicely that way. Steve

[streptile]

Now for sale at eMedals, at nearly the same prices, by the way:

Group 1

Group 2