Purchased by my about 5 years ago from a closet collector in the mid west this is the large size chancellery tapestry that measures approx 6 feet high by 4 1/2 wide. The collector had purchased from Bill Shea and came with a certificate not that it needs one and a copy of a veterans affidavit for these and while not specifically for this banner but Shea's own example. In addition I retrieved a 2nd affidavit of 6 pages from another vet and tapestry that is more than interesting. Included with this banner are all 3 docs and will accompany the piece. 

The new chancellery would be a monumental undertaking and despite that fact it was finished in just under a year under the direction of Albert Speer. For the most part and due to the war access was of course limited to party officials and Adolf Hitler himself. A book of the inner interiors was made available for public consumption like many other books and displayed some of the beautiful interior decor consisting of mosaics, marble tile line halls, and art. It was a beautiful building.

The tapestries while obtainable are difficult to find in this particular condition which is essentially near mint. The Russians had overtaken the building in Berlin and destroyed many items, some of which will most likely never be seen again. The tapestries were bombarded with wine bottles, urinated on, and otherwise damaged and most often when you do find an example it displays some form of damage or discoloration.

I know that I spent a couple years seeking one of these out and the problem just what I relate above, condition. Since the time that I have owned this example I have seen several cross the auction block and and offered on various sites, none of them would display as nicely as this example nor did they compare. Not to mention they went fairly high.

Being heavy pieces of woven cloth, these need to be hung properly and if its not the weave will slowly pull itself apart under its own weight. Being aware of this I ordered a custom tapestry rod with acorn finials in polished brass, the rod mounts from each end as it exits the upper sleeve. There is a center support however which is U shaped and hold the center of the piece up evenly and reduces any long term damage. It also looks proper and took me a while to find that and I will include it and the hardware.

In the end its a tier 1 example that will no doubt please the recipient and shipping options can be discussed.

(Reich''s Chancellery Wall Tapestry)