The Coburg Badge

[jabnus]

Appears to be a reverse photo of a cigarette album picture (from the album deutschland erwacht)

[Br. James]

Interesting, Erich. It rings no bells for me, but it has the sense of the reverse of a photo card from a cigarette card album to it. As I translate the title:

Collective Worth #8: Germany Awakened
Development, struggle and successful triumph of the NSDAP
Picture #13
A Landmark of the Movement
Coburg 1922

I don't have my copy of that album at hand and I have not translated the text of the card, but if you have a copy of "Deutschland Erwacht" close at hand, perhaps you could check it for this text on one of the cards? Hope this is helpful.

Br. James

[ErichS]

Thanks Gaston, it had the look of something more interesting than the back of a photo from a cigarette album.

[ErichS]

Thanks James for the additional information.

[juoneen]

Not to change the subject, and i'm unsure if this topic i will ask about has been broached before,if so i apologise, but what is the possibility the red enameled swas coburg badge on ailsbys book is in fact an original, (or not), and if so, who would have owned or worn such a badge ? Has anybody ever seen a photo of an original CB winner wearing this exact badge in any photograph from the actual period , and any information on that variation would be interesting to know?

[ErichS]

Not to change the subject, and i'm unsure if this topic i will ask about has been broached before,if so i apologise, but what is the possibility the red enameled swas coburg badge on ailsbys book is in fact an original, (or not), and if so, who would have owned or worn such a badge ? Has anybody ever seen a photo of an original CB winner wearing this exact badge in any photograph from the actual period , and any information on that variation would be interesting to know?

A good question and I personally feel the badge is original. The badges were thought to be possible special honor awards given by Hitler to a select few. One badge was thought to be awarded to Martin Bormann's brother and another to a female party member. To date, no photos of it in wear have been found.

[ErichS]

I forgot to mention that Ailsby badge originally came from the famous David Littlejohn collection from what I understand.

[jabnus]

That is correct. It is in hand also the most spectacular piece i've ever been able to inspect, the reverse resembles the first type CB badges' hardware.

[Stan]

I have handled this Silver and Red enamelled badge several times at Chris's house and it still takes my breath away. The word is that it was given to Borman's brother. One thing that I did notice is that the sword is seperately applied.

I have photos but don't have Chris's permision to post them.

Stan

[Br. James]

Dear friends,

An extremely interesting story connected with this most unique badge! Assuming that reference is being made to Albert Bormann as one of the few recipients of this badge, I took a look at the two Coburg Badge Recipients lists I have -- one from 1932 and the other compiled by Robin Lumsden from a couple of years ago here on WAF -- and no one named 'Bormann' appears on either list. I am not aware that Albert had any involvement with either the Freikorps or the NSDAP prior to the Putsch, so I am wondering why he is thought to have received this award? Even Martin had at least some distant involvement with the Freikorps through his association with the murder of the person accused of betraying Albert Leo Schlageter to the French which resulted in Schlageter's execution. But Martin didn't receive the Coburg Badge either... Any further clarification of this question will be most welcome! Thanks in advance,

Br. James

[JoeW]

Littlejohn/Dodkins, 1968: "Although this badge is officially described as 'bronze', an undoubtedly authentic example in the author's collection is dull silver with an inlaid red enmel swastika." Unfortunately, the authors do not present any further information or documentation on this badge. Perhaps Littlejohn researched it further and found some substantiation to the claim and that now resides in Chris Ailsby's files.

[jabnus]

Untill (hopefully) one day more information surfaces we can only speculate why he recieved a special version of the so very highly regarded Coburg badge.

More interesting is that as he became a member of the NSDAP in 1927 he was awarded the badge at a later date and probably (here's the speculative part) for actions taken place at a later date as the actual Coburg event as well.

Some of the items we like so very much are still not understood, but sometimes this largely adds to the mysticism.

[JoeW]

Untill (hopefully) one day more information surfaces we can only speculate why he recieved a special version of the so very highly regarded Coburg badge.

More interesting is that as he became a member of the NSDAP in 1927 he was awarded the badge at a later date and probably (here's the speculative part) for actions taken place at a later date as the actual Coburg event as well.

Some of the items we like so very much are still not understood, but sometimes this largely adds to the mysticism.

Speculate why WHO was awarded the badge? Albert Bormann? Is there any evidence or is it just speculation (word)? By the way, Chris has posted two excellent photos with his commentary at his blog site: http://ailsby-collection.blogspot.co...e-variant.html

Stan, from Ailsby's description, the sword is apparently of two-piece design, having an a similingly similar base design as the "bronze" model, but with another sword applied over the base design. As Ailbsy points out, there are some differences in the wreath design.

[jabnus]

Joew, the information that it belonged to Albert Bormann came from David himself, that is NO speculation and i have also no reason to doubt this. Not everything David knew was written down in his books (unfortunately!). The reason WHY Albert Bormann was awarded the red Coburg badge we do not know, without any written source this will all be speculation. What i meant by my previous reply is that we can deduce other information from the facts that we DO know: e.g that Albert Bormann became only in 1927 a member of the NSDAP and that it is likely he might have been awarded the badge thus for something else as for a participation in the Coburg battle.

The whole badge just breathes quality and is in my opinion superior made compared to the "normal" (excuse this understatement) Coburg first type badges.

[JoeW]

Jabnus, thank you for clarifying the source of that. It is frustrating that this early book was so lacking in documentation. The differences in detail to the Coburg skyline on the two badges is extraordinary.