Gauleiter Karl Kaufmanns Car Flag

[d.fritz]

Hey everyone,

I recently won this interesting lot at an auction. I purchased it mainly for the seal, but I also ended up winning this gorgeous car flag and was hoping to get some feedback on it.

The flag comes with providence, the veterans father was in the British army at the time and was one of the people responsible for arresting Gauleiter Karl Kaufmann and placed him under house arrest.

I would appreciate everyones feedback on the flag and the pennant and was hoping to get some help ascertaining a value.

Thank you all in advance

[JoeW]

While the letter of provenance helps establish the history of your two items, I am afraid the description of the item is quite accurate. It is a car penant (Kraftwagonstander) for an official of the state government, not a flag for a party official, especially a Gauleiter. The 20x30cm flag is a Reichsdienstflagge for the service vehicle of officials of local Land or Reich govenment offices. Attached are images from an article I wrote for Bender's magazine The Military Advisor some years ago discussing police and state car flags. The small finial is very nice and may add some to the value that I think is less than $500.

I would like to see closer images of the stamp in your photo. It appears to be one for use with wax?

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[Reinhard2]

I would also like to see a better picture of the finial. It seems that the borders of the swastika aren't sharp. And also the eagles head might be interesting.

[d.fritz]

I have flipped the image, it reads: Der Reichs Statthalter in Hamburg

Which is definitely a seal for Mr. Kaufmann, seals and stampers are my main area of interest hence I know that this seal is period and authentic.

I am also attaching some additional paperwork that came with it.


In regards to Reinahard2's request, I have requested more images from the auction house, I should have that for you by tomorrow.

Thank you,

[wilhelm Saris]

whatever it is, and as JoeW says, it is not a pennant for an NSDAP Gauleiter.
It is the version Reichsdienstflagge
According to the decree of using flags at cars for state officials as ordered
July 21, 1937 and August 27, 1937. Normally such car flags were framed

[JoeW]

Of course the stamper is authentic and as Gauleiter Kaufmann was also the Reichsstatthalter in Hamburg, the stamper was from his office. But I don't believe the car flag was used by him as Reichsstatthalter. Vehicles in use by that office displayed the 25x25 cm size Reichsdienstflagge, as the highest ranking flag of the three Reichsdienstflags used on vehicles. The use of the larger flag is indicated in this portion of the decree above the one I posted above.

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While Wim is correct that vehicle Reichsdiestflags were usually framed when in use, yours is most certainly unusual in that it was sleeved and provided with a separate staff attached to the larger vehicle fender staff, indicating it was intended to hang loose rather than framed. Attached are the three style of vehicle Reichsdienstflags I had in my collection, none of which was as nice as yours.

State Service Car Flags1.jpg

Do you have some sealing wax to show what the stamper looks like. The wax works well with those TR wax seal stampers.

[d.fritz]

I apologize about my sloppiness with the description of the flag. I know very little about flags or finials, I simply appreciate them.

My love are stampers and seals and daggers. I do have a lot more to learn though regarding both of them.

I do not have it in my possession yet, I just won them. They should be in my possession in 2-3 weeks as they're coming from the UK..

What do you gentle recommend, should I separate them? I don't collect flags and imagined that it might be better suited in the hands of someone who could truly appreciate it. Any idea about what this flag may be worth if everything is correct with both the finial and the flag?

The seal I am keeping though, hence if separating them isn't smart, I will try not to.

[JoeW]

Since the flag has nothing to do with with the office of Kaufmann, as either Gauleiter or Reichsstaathalter, I would sell the vehicle pennant.

[d.fritz]

Thanks for the opinion Joe, do you know who I could ask about the value of it, or at least approximate a fair price?

[JoeW]

You’re in the political organizations forum now. I would post in the Flags, etc. forum for a start.

[d.fritz]

Alrighty, thanks Joe

[Br. James]

I agree with Joe's detailed responses.

Br. James

[kersten]

I don’t like the look of the metal eagle and swastika on top - so is the pennant real I wonder ?

[JoeW]

I don’t know how anyone can make a value judgement given the quality of the image of the pennant staff eagle, but I am perfectly satsfied with the authenticity of the flag and staff itself. That coupled with the quality of the Reichsstaathalter seal would give me confidence in the eagle.

The pennant looks to be chain stitched which is a big positive to me. Have you received it yet?

[d.fritz]

I have not yet, no. It takes some time, coming from the UK.