IDing a German sculptor

[Rick C]

I have a bust that should be here next week taking its place in my litte collection & I'm hoping to find out what I can about the person who's signature is at the rear.

It's signed '? Beyer 44' - I can't make out the first letter/initial.

I also wasn't sure where to post this query but figured I might start here since sculptures like busts (Hitler, etc.) would likely end up here.

Has anyone heard of a Third Reich period sculptor namer Beyer?

Thanx in advance, Rick Costello

[Gerdan]

It could be "FBeyer, 44"

Gerdan

[Gerdan]

Objekt Nr. 661

A "F. Beyer" was also known to create medals:

Silbermedaille 1938 (F. Beyer). Zusammenkunft von Hitler und Mussolini in Rom. Brustbilder von Hitler und Mussolini nebeneinander nach links / Fasces vor Hakenkreuz. Rand mit Feingehalts- und Herstellerangabe: 835 PR.MÜNZE BERLIN. 36,4 mm, 24,48 g. Co.-H. 110.
Mattiert, kl. Randfehler, vorzüglich

Schätzpreis: 140.00 EUR

Erzielter Preis: 160.00


Gerdan

[Rick C]

Not sure what the German 'says'.

So this was a well known sculptor? What's the 'F' stand for.

PS: Thanx!!

RC

[Gerdan]

I found a German sculptor named Franz Beyer (* 26. Feb 1894 in Rudolstadt/Thuringia
+ 1983). He was living in Dresden but I cannot say ift he made the bust you have.

Gerdan

[Rick C]

Thank you Gerdan. Very much appreciated!

[Rick C]

I now have the bust in my office. Went to Boston yesterday to meet the owner of the bust who had brought it up from New York for me. He (John P.) had built a wooden box around this thing that was so secure with form & padding that you could've transported a nuke in the thing and not worried at all.

Photo:

[Rick C]

I 'believe' this bust is of Wilhelm Schmalz, Lt.Gen. of the Hermann Göring Panzer Division.

Not that this paper that was folded up inside it is any proof but looking at Schmalz & then the bust ... it appears damned similar.

As to Gerdan's comment (Beyer), I sent photos to Kris over at Thirdreicharts.com and he confirmed the signature was Franz Beyer.

[Rick C]

more images:

[Rick C]

2

[Rick C]

Would be real curious as to what something like this might be worth were anyone willing to throw out a guess.

[Kurt]

Would be real curious as to what something like this might be worth were anyone willing to throw out a guess.

Awesome piece of art!!! It would help if you could say something about the dimensions of this bust. Looks pretty huge on the pics... Is it as huge as it looks?

Kurt

[Rick C]

It would help if you could say something about the dimensions of this bust. Looks pretty huge on the pics... Is it as huge as it looks?
Kurt

Kurt,

20" from bottom of base to top of head. Base is 5" black marble. It wieghs 41 pounds.

[Kurt]

Kurt,

20" from bottom of base to top of head. Base is 5" black marble. It wieghs 41 pounds.

Phoenixpwb, even if you are "just" looking at US pounds, that makes it a hell of a bust!

A Hitler or Göring in this size easily sells for 10k... it would probably be harder to find a buyer for this one but it's definitely much rarer.

[Rick C]

here's a color shot of General Schmalz