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**Br. James** · 12-02-2016, 03:54 PM

Hi Steve,

There is little hard documentation in the matter of Hitler's silverware, though many of us have been interested in this subject for a lot of years. What does exist is at least one bill of lading from the silver and goldsmith firm of F.H. Wani of Munich, dated July 29, 1938 and addressed to the architectural firm of Roderick Fick, who was directly involved with the creation of the Berghof and the Kehlstein Haus. This bill of lading, titled "Betr. Silberlieferung Teehaus Kehlstein" -- Silver Delivery for the Kehlstein Teahouse -- and describing a complete silver service for 36 guests, was undoubtedly for silver tableware in either the AH Formal (State) Pattern or the AH Informal Pattern, or perhaps some of both patterns. The document does not list the silverware's pattern or manufacturer but, given the mere volume of the ordered silverware, it was surely the Bruckmann product. (The Bruckmann firm was not a retailer; it manufactured silverware that was sold through retail outlets such as FH Wani in Munich.) This delivery of silverware was cetainly not the only such delivery during the years of the Third Reich; there must have been a number of others, with silver being shipped to the Braunnes Haus and/or the Führerbau in Munich, to the Reichschancellery in Berlin and to Hitler's apartment in Munich, as well as to a number of other sites. Hence the reality of AH silverware being picked up in a variety of locations throughout Germany by occupation soldiers post-war.

I agree that it is generally accepted that the Bruckmann firm only provided the tableware in Hitler's patterns; the other silver furnishings were produced by the firm of August Wellner's Sons, and while the tableware was made in .800 silver, other implements were produced in other silver contents, depending on the individual piece.

I hope these comments are helpful to you. Cheers, and happy collecting!

Br. James

**Blue Yeti** · 12-02-2016, 04:07 PM

Thanks Br James that's most helpful.

So whilst a rule of thumb Bruckmann made cutlery, non cutlery items were surely about. I find it a very interesting part of WW2 history and am always keen to learn more on subjects that grab me!

Was the 1939 birthday set a gift from Bruckmanns or was it a gift from Speer made by bruckmanns as again I have read two versions of the same story?

Again thanks for your assistance on this

Steve

**Br. James** · 12-02-2016, 05:43 PM

Hi again, Steve,

You're not the only one who has heard and read a number of stories about the AH silverware...and IMO none of those stories can be confirmed, just as we've not yet seen the definitive answer to who designed the AH pattern(s) or why the two patterns were created. I've read that Hitler designed the AH silverware pattern -- but which pattern? -- that Speer designed the pattern, that Gerdy Troost or someone at Troost Atelier designed it...?? And who paid for all this silverware -- thousands of pieces of it, and in two different patterns?!

Well, we know that Bormann was behind the creation of the Kehlstein Haus as a "50th birthday present" for his Führer, but we also know that that project took over a year and a half to complete, with major year-round work being done all of the mountainside, so it obviously was't a surprise present for Hitler! Many people, including Roderick Fick, Speer and Gerdy Troost were involved with designing the Kehlstein building, it's interiors, it's furniture, carpets and draperies, lighting fixtures, dishware, etc., etc. so silverware was certainly not unusual. And seeing that bill of lading, which indicates that whatever pattern(s) of silverware were delivered to the Kehlstein Haus, the delivery was made nine months prior Hitler's actual 50th birthday and we know that Martin Bormann personally oversaw everything that happened in the Obersalzberg Administration, so no surprise there!

But were both the Formal and the Informal silver patterns considered to be birthday presents for Hitler? I have long supposed that the Informal Pattern was produced first, and it was conceived as a 'luncheon service' for informal occasions at the major addresses where Hitler lived...Munich, Berlin and the Berghof, plus perhaps on his yacht and on his private train, and maybe even at the Wolfschanze as the war developed. But the Formal Pattern was made in greater numbers and stored in any location where Hitler might want to hold a dinner for important visitors. And of course we know that guests loved to steal pieces of Hitler's silver (which I've always considered was the precursor to all the Allied soldiers "liberating" his silverware from one end of Germany to the other!), so that meant that each of his housekeeping staffs had to place orders for more silver pieces to replace what was 'liberated' from his tables. So who knows how many pieces were cast at the Bruckmann factory over the years? So many questions and so few answers...yet, anyway!

Cheers,

Br. James

**ErichS** · 12-02-2016, 05:45 PM

All of the large Shea vet acquired hoard pieces that were all gotten at the Kehlstein tea house were all of the formal pattern.

**Blue Yeti** · 12-15-2016, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure if the lack of detailed info makes the subject more or less interesting to be honest!

I guess the problem is that pieces that don't fit into the known items with provenance will always be frowned upon and thus some good genuine bits that are perhaps rare will be consigned to the 'interesting curiosities' folder.

In my original question I was wondering if there is any evidence that Bruckmann made anything other than cutlery and see numerous references to it on website and images of it (although I note my original link doesn't work) which was an image of this http://www.forensicgenealogy.info/images/teapot1.jpg don't worry its not mine I didnt and am not trying to buy it, just curious on whether such Bruckmann made items are 'always bad' 'possibly good' or 'we just don't know'.

I intend to purchase a piece in due course and am just trying to do my homework and learn from those on here before taking the plunge!

Cheers
Steve

**Br. James** · 12-16-2016, 01:16 PM

Hi Steve,

I see your point, and sorry for not addressing it earlier. There is an old adage to: "Never say NEVER!" and that is probably true in general, if not in the specifics. My understanding is that the Bruckmann firm basically manufactured tableware in various contents of silver and also in silver plate. The Wellner firm produced a wide variety of products, including tableware -- though they seem to have avoided manufacturing tableware bearing the "AH" monogram, possibly due to an existing agreement with Bruckmann not to compete with them. Wellner made almost anything else in silver or plate with the "AH" monogram, including plates, platters, boxes, vases, etc., with the difference that Bruckmann provided tableware with the raised AH eagle monogram while Wellner's products featured the engraved or rolled AH eagle monogram. This may be an over-simplification on my part, but I would not consider adding a piece such as the coffee pot you provide a link for to my collection; it includes the raised AH eagle monogram styled by Bruckmann, and that's enough to make me question the authenticity of the piece.

Wish I could be more specific but with the lack of hard original evidence, this subject continues to both fascinate and concern!

Br. James

**Blue Yeti** · 12-18-2016, 05:16 AM

Thank you again Br. for your help and insight into this subject, it's most appreciated

Steve

**Blue Yeti** · 12-19-2016, 09:12 AM

Hi Br. James, having just been discussing such pieces I see this up in an auction shortly so thought may be of interest... A Bruckmann made salver with raised monogram... one to avoid then... Be interesting to see what is sells for

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...d-a6de00e3fb04

Also in the auction is some HG silverware but as HG has no regular patterns this seems even harder to authenticate and thus less collectable?

Steve

**Br. James** · 12-19-2016, 10:30 AM

Hi Steve...and yes, I would avoid this AH Bruckmann-marked silver salver, for the reason expressed previously and also for the reasons that a raised monogram in the 'bowl' of such a piece is particularly awkward and ungainly, and therefore untrustworthy (Wellner-made plates of the same type of dimensions include an ingraved monogram either in the 'bowl' or on the rim of the piece) and also that .925 solid silver is quite weak for use in such a piece. One normally sees such large trays and platters made of silver plate as solid silver of even .800 quality is easily scratched and dented from use.

The Göring serving bowl in the same auction is much more interesting IMO. It was a design created specially for the wedding of Hermann and Emmy Sonnemann on April 10, 1935 and quite a number of silver articles were given as gifts on that occasion. Among those gifts were silver pieces engraved with the Göring family crest, and also a variety of expressions of the two family crests united -- Göring and Sonnemann -- such as seen on the rim of this serving dish. As previously noted, such pieces were privately made and therefore no trail of "official silversmiths" is possible to acknowledge, but this design was definitely present among the pile of wedding gifts received from many in the NSDAP leadership and from private citizens around the country.

And I don't think much of the glassware offered in this auction, either...much too gaudy for Hitler's table!

Cheers,

Br. James

**ErichS** · 12-19-2016, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Blue Yeti View Post

Hi Br. James, having just been discussing such pieces I see this up in an auction shortly so thought may be of interest... A Bruckmann made salver with raised monogram... one to avoid then... Be interesting to see what is sells for

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...d-a6de00e3fb04

Also in the auction is some HG silverware but as HG has no regular patterns this seems even harder to authenticate and thus less collectable?

Steve

The pieces pictured are reproductions like James has said. If wanting to purchase a AH silver plated platter stick with known Wellner engraved pieces.

**Blue Yeti** · 12-20-2016, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the comments guys, no intention of purchasing the salver purely thought it an interesting conversation piece in light of the timing of my initial enquiry. As fakes though presumably they are period bruckmann items with motifs added later (when later presumably impossible to know) so value is purely silver+ curiousity !!

I saw the glasses and was not impressed either and I see there is also an AH engraved cutlery pair with an 'interesting' monogram.

Kind regards
Steve

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