Meissen Presentation Plaque Boxed with Documentation- Demjansk
Over the years I have attempted to purchase one of these on a couple occasions but they were damaged and they are difficult to find undamaged. Manufactured by the firm of Meissen and bearing the firms crossed swords the plaque is manufactured of terra cotta, or what Meissen calls "Bottger" after Johann Bottger. A large format plaque being approx. 8 x 4 inches this example in its original box with a personal presentation letter and the first example like it that I have seen. It is very nice and very high quality and what you would expect to see when handling Meissen pieces.
The plaque is accompanied by a type written and ink signed letter to the recipient from Ernst Busch a General Field Marshal to Conrad Heinrichs which is included along with a facsimile copy and a translation as well which I have photographed. The plaque is a dedication for time of service and bravery in the Demjansk pocket and the reverse plaque designates the points of the Russian front. Top rear of the plaque features the Heer eagle and "Ilmensee". The front of the plaque features a German soldier in full winter gear standing on barbed wire with rifle. The recipient appears to be a recipient of the Knight Cross. The plaque and the letter and additional docs are included together in a wooden box bearing the ribbon of the Russian front medal as well as the flag of the 16th Army and fashioned with a slide out drawer. Both the flag and ribbon are hand painted, the box itself measures approx. 9 x 5 and this is a nice sized unit. While I am generally a political collector this is both a rare plaque and complete with documents and box, very hard to find and I could only find a photo of one other.
The letter translation I will include here and of course its a little choppy in English.
Am 30. januar jahrt sich zuhm zehnten male der tag, an dem unser fuhrer und oberst befehlshaber der wehrmacht. Adolf Hitler, an die spitz des reiches trat, um ihm seinen gesichertan lebensraum in der mitte europa wiederzugeben. ein beispeilloser aufbau ging dem unausblieblichen ringer der waffen voraus, das unsere feinde uns aufzwangen. fur das gelingen des schickalskampfes sind inbensondere die rittenkreuzetrager unserer wehrmacht die burgen. Als zeichen der errinrung an die statten unserer kampfe uberreichs ich ihnen an diesam denkwurdigen tag ein plakette, die am jlmensee geschaffen wurde. Moge sie uns spater mit stolz er fullen in dem gedenken an die schweren, aber erfolgreichen kampfe sudlich des Jlmensee.
Heil unserum fuhrer!
The 30th of January marks the tenth anniversary of the day on which our driver and chief of the armed forces commanded. Adolf Hitler, at the head of the empire, to give him back his secure living space in central Europe. An unprecedented build-up preceded the inevitable wrestler of weapons that our enemies forced on us. for the success of the battle of fate, the riding cross bearers of our wehrmacht are the castles. As a sign of the memory of the sites of our struggles, on this memorable day I will hand you a plaque that was created on the jlmensee. May you later fill us with pride in memory of the difficult but successful battles south of the Jlmensee.
Hail our driver!
Over the years I have attempted to purchase one of these on a couple occasions but they were damaged and they are difficult to find undamaged. Manufactured by the firm of Meissen and bearing the firms crossed swords the plaque is manufactured of terra cotta, or what Meissen calls "Bottger" after Johann Bottger. A large format plaque being approx. 8 x 4 inches this example in its original box with a personal presentation letter and the first example like it that I have seen. It is very nice and very high quality and what you would expect to see when handling Meissen pieces.
The plaque is accompanied by a type written and ink signed letter to the recipient from Ernst Busch a General Field Marshal to Conrad Heinrichs which is included along with a facsimile copy and a translation as well which I have photographed. The plaque is a dedication for time of service and bravery in the Demjansk pocket and the reverse plaque designates the points of the Russian front. Top rear of the plaque features the Heer eagle and "Ilmensee". The front of the plaque features a German soldier in full winter gear standing on barbed wire with rifle. The recipient appears to be a recipient of the Knight Cross. The plaque and the letter and additional docs are included together in a wooden box bearing the ribbon of the Russian front medal as well as the flag of the 16th Army and fashioned with a slide out drawer. Both the flag and ribbon are hand painted, the box itself measures approx. 9 x 5 and this is a nice sized unit. While I am generally a political collector this is both a rare plaque and complete with documents and box, very hard to find and I could only find a photo of one other.
The letter translation I will include here and of course its a little choppy in English.
Am 30. januar jahrt sich zuhm zehnten male der tag, an dem unser fuhrer und oberst befehlshaber der wehrmacht. Adolf Hitler, an die spitz des reiches trat, um ihm seinen gesichertan lebensraum in der mitte europa wiederzugeben. ein beispeilloser aufbau ging dem unausblieblichen ringer der waffen voraus, das unsere feinde uns aufzwangen. fur das gelingen des schickalskampfes sind inbensondere die rittenkreuzetrager unserer wehrmacht die burgen. Als zeichen der errinrung an die statten unserer kampfe uberreichs ich ihnen an diesam denkwurdigen tag ein plakette, die am jlmensee geschaffen wurde. Moge sie uns spater mit stolz er fullen in dem gedenken an die schweren, aber erfolgreichen kampfe sudlich des Jlmensee.
Heil unserum fuhrer!
The 30th of January marks the tenth anniversary of the day on which our driver and chief of the armed forces commanded. Adolf Hitler, at the head of the empire, to give him back his secure living space in central Europe. An unprecedented build-up preceded the inevitable wrestler of weapons that our enemies forced on us. for the success of the battle of fate, the riding cross bearers of our wehrmacht are the castles. As a sign of the memory of the sites of our struggles, on this memorable day I will hand you a plaque that was created on the jlmensee. May you later fill us with pride in memory of the difficult but successful battles south of the Jlmensee.
Hail our driver!