Interesting Reichspost telegrams, and a surprise...

[Ralph A]

...if you're patient. Bear with me on this.

Does anyone else collect these large-format telegrams? I think they're the greatest. Very colorful.

[Ralph A]

I have four here to share...

...with a common thread. I own several, and this group just came in.

[Ralph A]

But I want to share the covers first,

because the artwork is what attracted me. I paid a price commensurate to four large-format Deutsche Reichpost telegrams, but only when I received the group did I realize what I had bought! Stay tuned...

[Ralph A]

Last cover.

This is one of my favorites. I have another one like it, framed. They are about 8x11" and in a folder format.

There are many different themes; another is based on a series of paintings by Hitler. Each one includes a period print of one of his watercolors. I've shown them before in another thread.

[Ralph A]

Inside...

The ones I own are mostly congratulatory telegrams; birthdays, anniversaries...

[Ralph A]

...weddings...

Congratulations to Leutnant Schramm. But who is Leutnant Schramm?

[Ralph A]

This is Leutnant Schramm!

The photo postcard on the left came with the telegram group; the one on the right (signed and dated) came from a dealer.

[Ralph A]

Here is the reverse of the signed card...

...

[Ralph A]

This also was included with the telegram grouping:

...

[Ralph A]

Details....

"The first Knight's Cross winner from our city (Heimat)."

"Wetzlarer with a Knight's Cross holder!"

"Leutnant Schramm excels! - outstanding aerial combat skills performed with daredevilish reckessness!" Typical newspaper super-hype.

The article goes on to say that an official communique from the Fuehrer announces that on the recommendation of the Reichsmarshall, Leutnant Schramm was bestowed the Knight's Cross. He showed outstanding skills in numerous combat missions, and "has to-date shot down 24 adversaries." There's more about "continuous sorties against the Soviets," a bit moee about his daring flying skills and then a little about him personally; son of Otto Schramm, a "large retailer" or merchantman of "24 Bahnhoffstrasse, Wetzlar." Finally, more wishes for continuing good luck.

[Ralph A]

The Man of the Hour

Wetzlar is a city in the German federal state of Hessen, and is capital of the Lahn-Dill district. Known for advanced optical industries. Briefly merged with contiguous Gießen in 1977 to form the new city of Lahn, but this was reversed in 1979 due to the unpopularity that ensued with the unsatisfactory rearrangment of administration.

Just so you know.

Appaently, he was the first Ritterkreuztraeger to come from Wetzlar.

[Ralph A]

Finally,

this came with the group. A congratulatory postcard to dear old dad. More or less, it says...

"If I understood correctly, I heard on the radio yesterday that the Feuhrer had bestowed the Knight's Cross to a 'Leutnant Schramm, a pilot in a fighter squadron'. I don't think I'm mistaken in thinking that this is your son to which it was referred, so I send you my heartiest congratulations! I'm sorry I can be there to celebrate with you. Otherwise, what else is happening - 'what's the word'? Give all your comrades my very best regards."

Or something close.

[Ralph A]

Finally finally...

These are the reverses of the telegrams. You can tell which goes to which from the motifs.

So, four Deutsche Reichpost telegrams I bought merely for their pretty covers turned out to be so much more. Enjoy!

ps Schramm won the Oakleaves to his cross on Feb 11, 1945 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitaen of 5./J.G. 27.

[Frank Heukemes]

A great ensemble, Ralph! And well translated.

[Bill Grist]

Tg

Ralph, Very nice items..Do you have others? BILL