Description:

Erwin Rommel
["Kratzau," present day Chrastava, Czech Republic, n.d. but ca. 1933-34
Erwin Rommel PSA GEM MT 10 3rd Person ALS On Early 1930s Czech Republic Picture Postcard
ALS

An autograph letter in German signed by German military commander Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) in the third person when writing out the name of his wife, Lucia Rommel, in the address section as "…Rommel." The postmark is only partly legible, not providing an exact date, but the presence of the green 6 Pfennig Hindenburg stamp places it in the range of circa 1933-34. N.p. but almost certainly Kratzau, or present day Chrastava, Czech Republic. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded GEM MT 10. The untranslated address and message panels include approximately 33 words pencil-inscribed in Rommel's hand. The picture postcard verso entitled "Kratzau / Hotel Mainz" depicts scenes of local color. Expected wear and weathering, else near fine. The postcard measures 5.5" x 3.625" while the slab overall measures 7.25" x 4.25." Provenance: Ex-Charles Hamilton, 1973.

In October 1933, around the time that Erwin Rommel wrote this note to his wife, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the 3rd Jäger Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment stationed at Goslar, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was here that Lieutenant Commander Rommel first met Adolf Hitler on September 30, 1934 during a review of Rommel's troops. A decade or so later, then Field Marshal Rommel was compelled to commit suicide after being implicated in the 20 July plot to assassinate Hitler.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: slab measures: 7.25" x 4.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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