GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
STERLING SILVER TRAY GIVEN TO EVA BRAUN BY ADOLPH HITLER, CHRISTMAS 1943, WITH OUTSTANDING PROVENANCE.This tray was recovered by one of the orig "Monuments Men", Charles R. Sattgast. Sattgast took leave from his job as President of Bemidji State University in Minnesota and was inducted as a Captain in the Specialist Reserve Military Government, US Army, September 14, 1943. He stayed in service until June 1, 1946. Accompanying are copies of archives of papers, including service records and a 1959 Minneapolis newspaper article showing him with the tray and other souvenirs including Herman Goering's hat and holding a German pistol that he took from a German officer he killed, which is still retained by his grandson. Captain Sattgast wrote a letter to a New York art dealer April 2, 1951 while back in Bemidji as President of University (a position which he held until his death in 1964) "I am in possession of a large silver tray which I took from the apartment of Eva Braun. It was in the Fishorn Castle at Bruck near Zell-in-See in Land, Salzburg. This tray was given to her by Adolph Hitler as a Christmas present for 1943. It has engraved in German and in block letters - Christmas 1943 Heartiest Greetings - and then below, engraved in script, the signature of Adolph Hitler. When I obtained the tray I received permission from the U. S. Army to ship it home as a souvenir." Tray is just over 21" long, 14" wide and height of handles is about 4". Inscribed on inside top lip "WEIHNACHTEN 1943 HERZLICHST" followed by facsimile of Hilter's signature, all in a 6-1/2" panel. Tray weighs just over 68 troy ounces and has sterling hallmarks, possibly Hermann Behrnd, Dresden. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Charles R. Sattgast, Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives Corps, 1945; Morris Sattgast, son, 1964; Charlie Sattgast, grandson, 2016. CONDITION: Fine overall. Several small dents and scratches. Inscription and makers mark are excellent. 50771-1 JS (15,000-25,000)