Alexander Historical Auctions items

[John R.]

Very interesting artifacts for sale here (TOPP, GUGGENBERGER, KRIEGSMARINE HONOR DAGGER DIAMOND-STUDDED POMMEL):

http://auctions.alexautographs.com/a...refno=+++84596


http://auctions.alexautographs.com/a...refno=+++84603


http://auctions.alexautographs.com/a...refno=+++84595

[John R.]

As there may be copyright issues with the images, please do not repost them here. If necessary, I will ask the owner of the auction house for permission to reproduce those images.

Auction house notation:

© Alexander Autographs. Images, descriptions and condition reports used on this site are original copyright material and are not to be reproduced without permission. For further information telephone (203) 276-1570

[John R.]

The Topp badge is very interesting but we do not have the letters referred to in the listing describing the well known loss of the badge by Topp.

It is a period badge, not a Schwerin of course, but instead an Otto Schickle variant.

John

[Norm F]

Hi John,

Of the three listings, only the Erich Topp U-Boat badge claims to have provenance so it's hard to even discuss the other two.

But that Topp-attributed badge is indeed interesting, and it's too bad that the only items that can prove the provenance are unfortunately omitted from the images on the website, rendering it impossible to verify on the information provided on the internet alone. One would need to see those letters from Topp and verify his handwriting.

The same grouping was auctioned by Bonhams in New York two years ago so at least those photos can be shown. Again the key item - Topp's correspondence - was not imaged and even the reverse of the badge was not shown, but it can be seen to be a Schickle-design badge. It was assigned an estimated value of $6000-$8000 by Bonhams in 2014 with no indication as to whether it sold. The grouping included a badge case which does not look period to me and I notice that case is not shown or mentioned in the current auction.

The clear images of the reverse on the current Alexander Historical Autographs auction show that it's a genuine Schickle-design Tombak badge and from the description the grouping includes all of the same items - badge, U-boat plaque, 2 letters from Topp and 3 signed photos.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

images from 2014

[Norm F]

I found this image of the reverse on another site called liveauctioneers.com so hopefully it's okay to show this.

It's certainly a very nice original Schickle-design badge and it's the less common variant with the round-wire catch.

The date of August 8, 1942 is explained in the description with a quote from the absent correspondence: "The 8.8.42 is the date when I received via the short wave the message that I was awarded with the swords of the oak leaves of the Knights Cross. That was midst of the Atlantic. The crew made this inscription to honor me."

This is at least consistent with Topp's known award date for the Swords of August 17, 1942, and it seems logical that he would have been notified in advance of the official award date.

If the described correspondence can be verified then it's certainly a nice piece of history. Whether worth the Maryland auction house current estimate of $8000 to $10000 is another matter.

Best regards,
---Norm

[alexanderautogr]

You're certainly free to use images from the three lots on this site. We'll be posting the Topp letters with the badge today. They were omitted as they included the name of a previous owner (which we will now shield).

It is indeed the same badge offered at Bonham's. IMO they did a very poor job illustrating the lot...Please also note we are Alexander Historical Auctions.

[Norm F]

Thanks alexanderautogr,

I see the letters on the site now (but not with shielding?). At any rate they look quite convincing -- typical European thin paper of the period (for airmail), double-sided frugality, and consistent handwriting that matches the numerous examples of Topp's signature that are abundant on the internet.

Seems like a nice grouping with provenance. I assume the U-boat plaque is just an add-on from the previous collector and the autographed photos from Topp are not that uncommon given his longevity and generosity, but the letters and badge are special.

Best regards,
---Norm

[alexanderautogr]

Thank you, Norm. We thought they were pretty good, too.

[Ludwig]

Nice auction!