Der Fuhrer's Signature ?

[Craig H]

I have an opportunity to purchase this document . Ive seen it in hand and it looks convincing , but it dont come cheap. Is it the real deal and whats it worth ? Thanks

[Craig H]

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[Craig H]

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[Craig H]

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[Craig H]

Whats with the Frick signature ?

[max history]

Craig,
I believe this to be a genuine Hitler and Frick signed document. An extremely nice piece. Frick countersigns as Reichsinnenminister.
Max.

[Craig H]

Thanks Max . What would be a reasonable price for this doc ?

[Jon. H]

Very nice signatures, both of them !

[JKDelCollo]

Hi Craig, signatures look good to me. Very nice, other than some light smudging of the "A." As for price, I would say that depending on content, $1000-1250 would be a low end and $1750-2000 would be on the higher end. Then again, if it is a good content piece the value could increase dramatically. Also, some collectors prefer war-time signed pieces as these are generally more desirable and thus, a little more valuable. But content is key!! Hope this helps, Jonathan.

[Br. James]

Dear Craig,

Having done a preliminary translation of this letter, with basic research, it appears to me to be historically linked to a series of events that took place in Bavaria in 1936. Without going into too much detail, this letter was written by Hitler to Gauleiter and Governor Fritz Sauckel of Thüringen, informing him that the Thuringian Department of the Interior has been placed under his control, particularly as regards the state budget. This action put the Thüringen State Police under his leadership. Hitler has also placed State Councilor Dr. Walter Ortlepp -- a lawyer and SS officer -- as Sauckel's deputy of that department of state. Reference is made to Prime Minister Willy Marschler, whose responsibility for fine arts and universities in Thüringen has also been placed under Sauckel's responsibility. Further reference is made to Fritz Wächtler, Sauckel''s former Education Minister, who had just the month before been appointed Gauleiter of Bayerische Ostmark (renamed Gau Bayreuth) after the accidental death of Gauleiter Hans Schemm who was killed in an aviation accident in December 1935. As mentioned below, the presence of Wilhelm Frick's endorsement on the lower right hand corner of this letter adds final proof that the national Minister of the Interior -- Frick -- concurred with these decisions which effect his office.

Quite an intersting document, I think, and a fine addition to any collection! Hope this is helpful.

Br. James

[Br. James]

Hi Craig,

One further note, if I may. The presence of one or more 'endorsement' signatures on the bottom of appointment documents normally means that that person's office originally prepared the document and vouches for the new appointment. Military, civil and political documents all include this feature. While the Head of State -- Hitler in these cases involving national appointments -- was the authorizing officer for the appointment, he could not be expected to know everyone personally and to recommend the best possible choices for advancement in so many cases -- thousands over the years -- so the advancements came up from within the organizations bearing the signature of the ranking official under whom the person being advanced would serve, either directly or indirectly.

Hope this is helpful.

Br. James

[max history]

Having done a preliminary translation of this letter...... Br. James

Just one final point after this excellent explanation by Br. James; this example is not a letter. It is an appointment document and holds more intrinsic value than a letter.
Max.

[Br. James]

I certainly agree with Max as he points out that this document is not simply a "letter" in the understood sense. While I don't recall ever seeing any other document quite like this one, it appears to be a formal, though preliminary, statement of changes in positions within the Reich government involving the Gau level; it is to be assumed that the formal Appointment Documents were yet to be drawn up and may even have come from more than one official department within the Minister of the Interior's purview. Formal national Appointment Documents -- beautifully caligraphed, signed by the Head of State whose signature was embossed with the Great Seal of Germany, and endorsed by the relevant departmental official -- often carry two dates: the date the appointment took effect and the date that document was actually signed. These two dates are often weeks or months apart, which illustrates the time it took for the legal matters involved in promotion and/or appointment to be conducted internally. But in the meantime, a document such as this one was sent to the person(s) involved so that they were officially informed of the decision and could prepare for the coming changes.

A great piece of history!

Br. James