Michael Wittmann grouping on Andreas Thies 65

[Sjking]

.

There’s no decency in this disgusting world where money is concerned. Very sad.

[Waffenreich]

Quite frankly if Thies has any shred of decency he should have these three lots pulled from his auction. That will make a statement to all collectors and other auction houses on where they stand regarding honor and integrity.

[markus]

Gentlemen --

As a closing statement on my behalf:

The widow gave this particular part of the group away in good faith. That the group was immediately sold on to a dealer was unfortunate, but happens all the time and we won't change it.

Fortunately the other big and more historically-important half of the group, showing Michel Wittmann's personal side is in very safe hands and will never ever be sold.

As to Mr. Thies, I think he's doing an excellent job in 'only' splitting this group in 3 lots. This way this particular part of the group has a better chance of staying somewhat together. Hopefully one collector will pick up all three lots together. From my own experience, these significant groups only have true effect when together.

A big compliment to Mr. Thies also for blocking out the fake formal award document from the auction. It shows the expertise, integrety and the professionalism how he conducts his business.

Last, not least, and to clarify: All medals are original to the group/estate. The K&Q KC is the award piece MW was given by Teddy Wisch (not Sepp Dietrich as falsely stated in the Affidavit btw). He was later given other crosses (prob. at OL or latest at OLS ceremony as in other cases). The (worn) ribbon to the KC was added afterwards for visual effect and was not part of the estate originally (there's a few pictures of the awards on the web where you can see one case empty with no ribbon in it). I assume the original KC ribbon was destroyed with MW the day he was killed.

The swords award were a replacement piece sent to the widow in October 1944, after MW's death upon her personal request. It was sent to her through MW's unit commander. Hence it was never worn, but part MW's estate and history.

A truely historic group.

Markus

[rob NL]

Fabulous, amazing and great group.

[Klaus O.]

That could be described as "the mother of all Waffen-SS KC Tiger tank killer groups", like it was for the case for General Dr. Franz Fritz August Bäke... another "mother of all Wehrmacht KC Tiger tank killer groups"...

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

thanks markus for the new infos.

I may have a last question : on a period picture included with lot 439, it seemed that the mint ribbon for the Eichenlaub were put on the Ritterkreuz case, is it correct ?

Now the Eichenlaub and the Eichenlaub + Schwerter have their original (mint) ribbon, and an original (used, not originally included in the estate) ribbon was added to the Ritterkreuz case, right ?

See You

Vince

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

Quite frankly if Thies has any shred of decency he should have these three lots pulled from his auction. That will make a statement to all collectors and other auction houses on where they stand regarding honor and integrity.

well in a perfect world i will agree with you, but you can be sure that if Andreas Thies removed the lots, many other auction houses will be happy to propose the estate.
Also the seller can ask what he wants to an auction house, remember the Von Dem Bach-Zelewski estate that was broken to dozen of lots a few months ago...

See You

Vince

[markus]

Hi,

thanks markus for the new infos.

I may have a last question : on a period picture included with lot 439, it seemed that the mint ribbon for the Eichenlaub were put on the Ritterkreuz case, is it correct ?

Now the Eichenlaub and the Eichenlaub + Schwerter have their original (mint) ribbon, and an original (used, not originally included in the estate) ribbon was added to the Ritterkreuz case, right ?

See You

Vince

That is correct Vince.

You will see on several photos that there's always one empty case and two cases with mint, unused ribbons.

I assume MW used the one he got with the KC immediately in the field for daily wear with his service shirt/wrapper. The OL and OLS boxes did not have their respective ribbons removed. (the OLS award and case were mint and sent by mail to Mrs. Wittmann after MW's death).

You will note on the affidavit for the KC that the case does not have a ribbon in it. Probably the dealer later added it so it looks nicer and gives the impression MW actually wore this around his neck. The estate however in reality never had a worn KC ribbon.

Markus

[Jelle M.]

Very beautiful and historical grouping. My personal favourites are the two signed AH pictures. Curious what the result will be.

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

many thanks again markus, at least with your help History (with a big "H") is preserved on the WAF for future generations of collectors !

See You

Vince

[inimicus]

first generation always best quality - also worth MUCH more

I would still love to have them 😍

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

markus, we may need your knowledge for two lots proposed by Hermann Historica today on HH 77.

Lot 8727 is a Gahr silver talisman offered by the Reichsführer-SS the day after Michael Wittmann received the Eichenlaub mit Schwertern, and lot 8728 are said to be Michael Wittmann glasses when he was still commanding a StuG in the LAH.

See You

Vince

[FrenchVolunteer]

1

[Gran Sasso]

Label is fake
Apart from that, there is no need to add a label to your glasses.

[markus]

Completely agree with Patrick on this.

Both items are fantasy/fake pieces.

FYI, EMedals have been trying (hopefully unsuccessfully) to sell a group of items they say belonged to Michael Wittmann for the past year. This group (not offered through their site) includes dust googles (different ones from the above), MW's gasmask canister, a breadbag, etc. all labled with fancy "Michael Wittmann SS-No. 311623" labels.

The EMedals group also includes medals and badges supposedly from MW.
Funnily I know exactly where the real medals and badges from the estate are together with their respective affidavits from the widow...

Cheers,
Markus