GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
STERLING SILVER SALVER GIVEN BY JOACHIM VON RIBBENTROP TO HEINRICH HIMMLER, CHRISTMAS 1940.Large round silver platter measures 17-3/8" in diameter and 2-1/4" in height, weighing about 48 troy ounces. "SS RUNES" decorates the obverse upper lip in 1-3/8" characters. The reverse rim "MEINEM FREUNDE HEINRICH HIMMLER" on opposite edge is facsimile of Ribbentrop's signature, about 5" across and beneath the signature is "WEIHNACHTEN 1940". Makers mark "H.J.WILM / BERLIN" is found on base as well as "925" marking. This salver is illustrated on two full color pages in World War II German War Booty - A study in Photographs, Thomas M. Johnson, 2003, pgs 276 & 277. Accompanying lot is a signed affidavit from Dan Lane of Dallas, TX who stated "As a special agent in counterintelligence, U.S. Forces, while on assignment in Bavaria looking for high German officials wanted for questioning in connection with war crimes and the whereabouts of Hitler, Himmler, and other top Nazi leaders, I made a special trip to Himmler's hunting lodge. This lodge was located in the mountains some 30 miles southwest of Tegernsee in Bavaria. After a thorough search of the lodge itself I discovered these personal items of Himmler hidden away behind a concealed movable panel in the large study of the lodge..." SIZE: PROVENANCE: Dan Lane, Dallas, TX, 1945; War Museum of History, Mike A. Giles, Grand Prairie, TX, 1974; Thomas Pooler Collection. CONDITION: Excellent. 50658-1 JS (15,000-25,000)