Memel - Lithuanian Sympathizer Badge?

[Frobler]

I have put this badge up elsewhere and determined it is Lithuanian (I had originally thought it was Dutch, but I have been corrected on this). Given the submitted info on this subject there appears to be little doubt that the badge is from the coastal port of Memel (otherwise known as Klaipeda) in Lithuania. In March of 1939, Ernst Neumann, the leader of the Memeldeutscher Kulturverband, began claiming that the territory should be returned to the German Reich. As the territory was originally claimed by Prussia in the 13th century I'm not surprised. It is my understanding this was the last geographical gain by the Third Reich prior to WWII.

I post it here as I am interested in any comments. Has anyone seen this badge before? If so, is this authentic?



Frobler

[Eric Stahlhut]

hmmm.

i thought it was Czech.

[Ken Jasper]

I have never seen it before and I couldn't find it in Heering-Huesken's "Katalog der Abzeichen deutscher Organisationen 1871-1945" although they do list two other Lithuanian badges.

[James Noble]

Ken I have Heering-Huesken's "HANDBUCH der Abzeichen deutscher Organisationen 1871-1945" 1982 edition and if we are talking about the same book you will find the pin in question on page 171. Also there is a Cramer & Dorbach, Lüdenscheid RZM M1/125 listed in the back of the book if thats the same company as the one on the pin? It appears to have a R. Cramer & Co. mark.
Of the 11 Memel pins listed this is the only one showen.

[Frobler]

Memel

I'm glad to hear that it's actually listed in the reference material and it sounds like I could use a copy of that book. Does the book list any National Socialist membership/sympathizer badges from nations surrounding Germany? (e.g. Dutch, Danish, Czech badges etc. - I've been looking for a book that deals with this subject.)

When you say there are 11 Memel pins listed, do you mean there are 11 different types of Memel pins?

I was thinking it was M1/114 Paul Cramer & Co. of Ludenscheid.(I'm guessing it's a "P" with a period obscured by the pin).

Thx for your help.

Frobler

[Ken Jasper]

Oops, the problem is that I was looking under the Lithuanian section. I found it in the Memelland section which is on page 208 of the 1997 edition of the Katalog. At that time the authors put a value of DM 280 on the pin (roughly $130 then). Other Memel pins listed, but not illustrated include pins for a youth group, a farmer's group, the Peoples Party, Sports Federation, Security Section, etc.

Yes the Katalog illustrates pins from Gemany's allies and sympathizers in various nations. It is a gteat reference.

[James Noble]

Frobler after taking a closer look at your picture I would have to agree with you on P. Cramer as maker. And Ken if I may ask where did you get your copy of the Handbuch as i haven't seen it at any of the military shows here on the west coast since I acquired mine those many years ago.

[Ken Jasper]

I bought mine off Andre Husken's web site.

[Frobler]

You wouldn't have a URL for the site as I'd really like to pick up a copy.

Frobler

[Ken Jasper]

Well, I can't find a url and I am not sure that Hisken has a web site. I thought I bought it there, but that was 5 years ago. His gallery is in Hamburg and the phone there is 040/34 31 31; fax 040/35 41 03.

Disregard above. I just found the book on Pieces of History in Cave Creek, AZ for $59.95. If you don't mind giving them money, just type in piecesofhistory to get to their site.

[Frobler]

What am I thinking. I've even bought things from him already (Great stuff btw).

Galerie d'Histoire

Frobler

[Nimble1]

H & H Book

JNoble,
Look around a bit on the web at some of the German sites. I bought my H & H last year for about $35.00 USD. I think that Detliev had them listed.

Tom