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Collector Spoons
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Cased Set of Souvenir Spoons from |
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| DESCRIPTION: The SS-Heimwehr Danzig was formed in June 1939, when the senate of Danzig decided to create a defense force. Himmler volunteered to raise it and SS-Sturmbann Goetze, of SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 4 Ostmark, was transferred from Berlin. The Sturmbann was reinforced by an antitank company (Panzerabwehr-Lehrsturm der SS-Totenkopfstandarten) and 500 volunteers from Danzig. SS-Heimwehr Danzig was formally raised on 18 August 1939, and consisted of 1,550 men. The Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) in Danzig founded the 1,550-man strong Heimwehr Danzig (Danzig Militia). On 1 September 1939, German troops attacked Poland. The Heimwehr Danzig took part under German Army command and in the process captured the Polish post office that had been taken over by numerous Communist party members and partisans who with heavy armament decided to use this building as a last redoubt. The soldiers of the Heimwehr Danzig had vivid recollection of the horrible recent massacre of the German citizens at the Polish village of Bromberg and elsewhere. The massacre event was remembered as “Bloody Sunday” by the Danzigers and they were not about to negotiate with these bastards. After fifteen hours of intensive combat ensued the SS won the day! During the attacks, the German forces used 75-mm, and 105-mm artillery and flamethrowers against the defenders The SS-Heimwehr Danzig participated also in the attack of the Danzig Westerplatte and already was considered a part of the 3rd SS-Totenkopf Division then forming under Theodor Eicke. Later, it provided coast-guard services in Danzig. It fought in interior Danzig during the invasion of Poland and was formed II. and part of III./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3 of the SS-Totenkopf-Division. Regardless of the fact that their official prewar training was not as intensive as the central-based Waffen-SS divisions, they certainly showed their steel and courage in battle and richly deserved their inclusion in SS-Totenkopf. The return of Danzig’s being such an important goal of N.S. Germany, the German public rather romanticized the Heimwehr Danzig and this beautiful set of six pieces. They are in fine coin silver. This set was found in Poland and has the maker’s mark obliterated. WHY?? We don’t know. It could be that the company still exists and there could have been some sort of patent question. We will never know. The case within has a picture of buildings in the old state of Danzig now within Poland. The spoons individually measure about five inches long. They have the enameled seal of the old state of Danzig (two crosses and a crown). Underneath this is the swastika. On the back of each spoon is engraved “SS-Heimwehr Danzig.” They are certainly beautiful and rare. The next time you enjoy a lovely cup of tea you can stir it while remembering the turbulent times of old and being hopeful that when sanity prevails, Danzig, not Gdansk, will be returned to awakened Reich.
PRICE: NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE |
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Spoons by David Cornell Struck in 22-carat Gold on Solid Sterling Silver Depicting Twelve Roman Deities; Includes Case/b> (Item COLLECTORSPOONS 1-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This was a limited series of collector spoons depicting the Roman gods and goddesses by sculptor David Cornell and produced by John Pinches Ltd. of England in 1971. Beautifully executed and most detailed all sitting in a beautiful blue leatherette presentation case, which measures 16½ inches by 5½ inches. The individual spoons are each almost 5 inches long. Please excuse the photography glitches. The consigner told us that he needed a bright, sunshiny day to do his thing with pictures and it seems it was really too sunshiny and thus he got photo shadows, but I think in any event he got the idea across! This great grouping sat undisturbed in this man’s house since 1971 (About 50 years). It is in about mint condition.
PRICE: $350.00 |
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Art Spoon Set; the Kaiser and Kaiserin (Item SPOONS 1-1; WILHELM 8-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here in imperial glory are the depictions of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1859-1941, and his wife, the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, 1858-1921. The royal pair is depicted in the finest of miniaturist excellence. These pieces were the best of a 50-year-old collection of art spoons by a German collector in Frankfurt. Germania managed to buy this collection after 3 years of negotiation. The pieces are to be seen throughout our Kaiserreich section. The best of all to be presented to the collectors is this set of Kaiser and Kaiserin. Kaiserin is the female equivalent of Kaiser. Where Kaiser is emperor, Kaiserin is empress. The spoons are entirely hand painted in the world-famous miniaturist style that was at its height of popularity in the 1880s and ‘90s. Under magnification one can see the brushstrokes. It is hardly likely that there exists an artist that could duplicate this lost technique. The paintings look as though they could breathe. The Kaiser has his upturned mustache prominent. It was commonly said that this mustache was likened to “a declaration of war!” The Kaiserin’s picture is reflective of the quiet, noble charm and dignity of the Prussian first lady that she was. In this portrait there are some very tiny chips in the right edge, but only discernable under magnification. The portraits themselves are not the only precious item here. The finial is decorated with the great German eagle with the Hohenzollern crown; all appropriately enameled. Below this the upper body of the spoon is also finely enameled. The pieces are in ‘800’ silver and so stamped with the half moon and crown at the top. The length is about 5 1/4 long and is in perfect condition except for the minor chips mentioned in the Kaiserin piece. Here is excellence personified in this historically important works of art. Sold only as a set.
PRICE: $985.00; for the set |
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Art Spoon Depicting the Crown Prince (Item SPOONS 1-2; WILHELM 8-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This beautiful art spoon is part of a great collection of similar treasures that we recently acquired in Germany. See the Kaiser spoon above. This is a magnificent depiction of the Prussian Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm Viktor August Ernst von Hohenzollern, 1882-1951. He was the last crown prince of the kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, and the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1859-1941, and his wife Augusta Victoria. Called Unser Willi by his adoring German public, he could be called a genuine war hero and a dashing ladies’ man. He was a widely acknowledged playboy much to the chagrin of his staunch Protestant father. He went into exile with his father after the tragic war ended, but in 1923 returned to Germany. He joined the NSDAP not as a member, but as supporter. He aided Hitler in various symbolic actions. The painting is completely hand accomplished in the finest tradition and skill of a master miniaturist, an art long ago lost or so it would seem. We present several of the best of the examples of the collection we purchased. This is one of the “best of the best.” The prince is depicted in the snappy-looking uniform of the elite Leib Hussar Regiment, although in WWI he was the commanding officer of the entire 5th Army. The portrait in miniature accurately shows some of his medals and orders in exquisite detail. This is a mini masterpiece. At the finial or top is a beautiful enameled design of the imperial eagle of the Hohenzollern dynasty surrounded by the crown of Prussia with imperial drapes drawn to reveal the symbol crafted in genuine ‘800’ silver with company logo stamped onto the body. This is a wonderful remembrance of an infinitely nobler era of refinement and culture. At the turn of the 19th century, spoon art was highly sought after and its price especially for a master work such as this was high. Collectors in all of Europe and the United States were quite keen to acquire such an art treasure and of course it is even today part of the chosen collecting mode of the true art connoisseur.
PRICE: $498.00 |
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Art Spoon Depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II) (Item SPOONS 1-2a; WILHELM 8-6) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is one of the art spoons that was part of a great collection that we acquired in Germany recently. The artists who specialized in the painting of these spoons often worked for several companies that made the spoons. So, in this case, you see the same design and description as the other one that you will see in another description. The painting is almost the same as the other, but with small differences, of course, but this was the specialty of this artist. As for the unique design of the rest of the spoon there is a completely different look and structure. This one has a bright ivory-white background where the other has a tea-green hue. The face is quite more enlarged and the eagle motif at the finial is completely different. This one is in cutout relief that is beautifully enameled and the word ‘Berlin’ is found in an enameled box. The half crown, moon, and the ‘800’ silver designator is seen at the backside of the imperial eagle. Part of the shaft or stem of the spoon is enameled, as well. The length is practically 5 1/2 inches. The condition is perfect, except for two tiny chips in the forehead of the Kaiser; not very noticeable except under magnification. This does not really detract from what is obviously a wonderful work of a masterful artist.
PRICE: $450.00 |
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Art Spoon Depiction of Kaiser Wilhelm I (Item SPOONS 1-3; WILHELM 8-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is an utterly magnificent hand-painted bust portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm I, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, 1797-1888, of the house of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia 1861 to 1888. He was the first German emperor from 1871-1888. He and his prime minister, Otto von Bismarck, achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire. Called the “soldier king or warrior king,” he was in one German war after another culminating in the sound defeat of the French in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. His saga and glories can be viewed online in many sites so we won’t go into all the history at this point. Suffice to say that this was a man that the Germans would describe as “Eine enormen,” “giant of empire.” The king is depicted in full martial uniform with all of his medals and orders finely executed as only a master miniaturist could possibly do. The figure is so lifelike you would expect it to breath. For more details about our acquisition of these magnificent gems of Germanic culture read about in our other narrations about the Wilhelm and Crown Prince Wilhelm description above. The spoon is about 5 inches long in genuine ‘800’ silver and is so marked. The top contains the same Prussian eagle as the one of the spoon depicting the crown prince.
PRICE: $495.00 |
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Art Spoon Depicting the Bust Portrait of Frederick the Great (Item SPOONS 1-4; FRED 3-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a magnificent portrayal of the greatest of the 18th-century heroes, “der Alte Fritz,” called that back then and even today by those who adore him. Wilhelm II and even Adolf Hitler thought him to be the greatest military strategist of all time. Frederick II called “the Great” 1712-1786 he was of the Hohenzollern dynasty and he ruled the kingdom of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. Frederick was known as an enlightened monarch. He was born in Berlin, the elder son of the soldier king Frederick Wilhelm I. His father created a formidable army and this set the pattern for the illustrious military career of his son Frederick and a brilliant following it most assuredly was! His victories were accomplished when defeat was decidedly certain. All of this immortal saga can be found on various websites so we will not digress further on it only to say that here was the real father of Prussian militarism and Germanic civil progress as well. There is a German saying that goes: “Alle die ganze Welt gegen Uns,” “All the whole world against us!” It certainly seemed that way back in Frederick’s time but through absolute greatness in military technique and troop deployment this immortal German hero prevailed. The spoon is one of a collection that we recently acquired in Germany and these pieces are the crème de la crème of the lot and this one is among the best of the best! The warrior king is shown at the height of his victorious years wearing his three-corner campaign hat and the Order of the Deutscher Schwarze Adler on his breast like the others in the collection the lifelike countenance is remarkable and considering that it is hand painted, you will agree its incredible. The work of a master miniaturist working at the turn of the 18th to 19th century the spoon is crafted in genuine ‘800’ silver and is so stamped along with a company logo the finial is decorated with the early Prussian crown of the empire with the red-eagle design in its center in enamel this is surrounded by the drapes of the Prussian coat of arms. The spoon is almost 5 1/2 inches long and is in top condition. Read more about these magnificent art spoons in our other descriptions.
PRICE: $495.00 |
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Art Spoon of Imperial Germany (Item SPOONS 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a great silver art spoon that was part of a group that we bought recently from a 50-year-old, established collection in Germany. This spoon was of the type bought by German and other spoon collectors throughout the world as a fine souvenir of prewar Germany. The amazing part of this one is that it was made by the Oneida Company in Oneida, New York. This company was originally the Oneida Community founded in 1848. It was a religious community; almost to be considered a cult. The spoon is actually marked Oneida Community. Read about this strange religious sect in Wikipedia under “Oneida Society.” The community dissolved in 1881 and eventually became the silverware giant, Oneida Limited, of Sherill, New York. Obviously the company must have made a series of souvenir spoons that commemorated several of the world’s lands and leaders. This was the one honoring Germany’s Kaiser and Germany’s armed forces. The spoon is in silver with the German Kaiser Wilhelm II featured in the center with the word “Deutschland” under his portrait and the German imperial eagle above this picture of Wilhelm. On the back is the tricolor German flag (not in color) and pictured also is a German soldier and sailor. The spoon is almost 6 inches long and is good condition with a bit of wear to the Kaiser’s countenance. It’s still good looking and highly collectable.
PRICE: $80.00 |
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Art Spoon from WWI (Item SPOONS 1-6; WWI 8-22) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an art spoon from the first year of the Great War, 1914-1918. It has the wonderful German eagle perched on a shield with the German national colors—black, white, red—with the years 1914-15 emblazoned upon it. I’m sure there were no 1916-1918 spoons made since the sheer horror of the war overshadowed the artistic aspects completely by then. This eagle was used on pendants that we often encounter as well. It came to be known as the patriot eagle. It has the Iron Cross in the center of its chest (very classic looking). The spoon measures about 5 1/2 inches and is crafted in genuine ‘800’ silver and is so marked along with logo stampings from the company. The style is art deco personified “Jungstahl.” This is one of finest of the art spoon collection that we recently purchased in Germany. These spoons were rare collector’s items in their day and it was usually the more wealthy burgers who invested in them. The artwork is incredible and this particular one is a very fine example in its design. This is a very good investment piece.
PRICE: $495.00 |
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Art Spoon of Kaiser Wilhelm II (miniature portrait) (Item SPOONS 1-7; WILHELM 8-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a fantastic artistic depiction of Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, King of Prussia, and Emperor of Germany, 1859-1941. This is the masterful rendering of a skilled miniaturist of the period (1890s). The Kaiser is wonderfully depicted in his resplendent uniform with all of his medals and orders. His great, upturned mustache is evident. This was likened by his detractors as a “declaration of war in itself;” how unkind! The spoon is a little over 5 inches long. It is, naturally, in ‘800’ silver (gilted). It bears all the obligatory maker’s marks. At the top is a round panel containing the Hohenzollern eagle with imperial bow around it and is supported by palm leaves. The fine enameling is seen not only in the portrait, but also in the spoon’s body. This is the finest miniature portrait that we have ever seen. The brush strokes are evident only under magnification. This is a stunning portrait of a noble gentleman much misunderstood, but now when all of the particular time is historically revealed under intense revisionism he looms as a great figure of the European saga; regal, but ill advised; noble, but betrayed.
PRICE: $495.00 |
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Kaiser Wilhelm Spoons (Item SPOONS 1-7; WILHELM 9-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: We have recently acquired several souvenir spoons in mint condition as described in SPOONS 1-5 above. Please read the information seen there. The only difference is that these spoons are in mint condition having been preserved in a stately Syracuse, New York mansion wrapped in a special velvet-lined box all these years. They are exactly like the one pictured above and we bought them right so we will pass the benefit to you.
PRICE: $90.00 each |
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Beautiful Special Edition Art Spoon Depicting the Kaiser and his Imperial Berlin (Item SPOONS 1-8; WILHELM 9-21) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an exceptional silver spoon of the Andenken (memory) type in the 1800s and through the first quarter of the twentieth century. The collecting of art spoons was a well-respected tradition of travelers throughout the world. The price and quality of these souvenirs were commensurate with the pocketbook of the tourist. Spoons could be expensive, such as this one, and hand-painted examples were very expensive such as the spoons we show elsewhere on this page; spoons that were absolutely beautiful and made in Germany and even in the U.S. See “SPOONS 1-5” above. A wealthy visitor to the Imperial city of Berlin would have bought the particular piece we offer; this spoon would have been expensive in its day. It was crafted in genuine “800” silver and is so marked along with the required half-moon and crown stamping. It also has a manufacturer’s logo on the stem. The bowl has a wonderful likeness of Kaiser Wilhelm II wearing a cruisier chest plate and the House Order of Hohenzollern and the Black Eagle Order. Over his head are pictured the oak leaves of honor and the palm leaves of victory. Near the pinnacle of the piece is the raised word “Berlin” and above this is the crown of the Hohenzollern dynasty. The crown can be seen even more clearly in the picture of the magnificent Kaiserlich Adler (Imperial Eagle) that is seen on the front top of the spoon. On the back of the spoon’s bowl are the initials of the person who owned the spoon—“M.E.S.” Midway up the shank, you can see the rampant Berlin Bear. The background of the likeness of the Kaiser is in red enamel. This is highly unusual, indeed. I have seen many Andenkenlöffel over the last 50 years, but never one like this. This is an exceptional and rare Imperial piece worthy of the finest collection.
PRICE: $295.00 |
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Formal Pattern Sugar Spoon (Item AH 25-14a) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a sugar spoon from the Adolf Hitler personal flatware collection. These particular types of spoons were considered the rarest of the groupings. Although there were 12 -24 piece place settings, there would only be about 3 to 4 sugar spoons for 3 to 4 spaced sugar bowls that would be placed ever 6 to 8 place settings on the dinning table. The spoon measures 5 ½ inches long and has the expected markings on the back of the shank. The moon, crown, 800 silver designation and the eagle stamp. We are often asked the question “what is the likelihood of the German Führer ever actually using a particular piece. Well we can’t naturally answer that in any authority although he certainly used some of these items since they were only set out if he was in attendance. If there was any one of the pieces that he most likely used, it certainly would have been the sugar spoons considering his extreme fondness for sweets and especially coffee and chocolate spiced further with the addition of sugar. The collector should be advised that in these days of collecting SA Daggers produced in millions and millions selling successfully at $800 and up, the price of Hitler personal items such as these are still a bargain that will in all probability see an astronomical price rise in the next year or so. They are very much under priced at the moment and they are not being reproduced. When these originals are down to only a few left (as it is almost now) the price will go into orbit. Investing in these pieces now makes good sense and you can never lose. Good NS pieces have gone nowhere but up in the past few years.
PRICE: Price upon request |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.
-Heimwehr Danzig (Item WAF 14-16; COLLECTORSPOONS 1-1)
