Hermann Historica’s big sale
We took a look at the first of Hermann Historica’s four auctions in December last month, so here are more of the highlights, starting with the International Orders and Military Collectibles sale. First up a Badge of Honour, 2nd class, of the Austrian Red Cross with war decoration, with miniature, and with a lady's bow in both cases. Made from silver with red and white enamel. It sold for €300 (includes 25% Buyer’s Premium).
We covered the Boxer Rebellion awhile back and here’s a War Medal from
Japan, which was on the side of the western alliance. Made from bronze with relief on both sides, measuring 30mm and weighing 30g. It came with a green striped ribbon in a velvet lined wooden case with gold lettering. Quite rare, it sold for €212.50. Also from Japan, a WWI Victory medal. Made from bronze with a figure with a spear on the front. The medal had a diameter of 36mm, weight 21g and came in a wooden case with white velvet lining. There was also the award document and both came in a long, goldlabelled lacquer box. The lot also featured a long roll of paper (47cm x 167cm) with a soldier's photo on it. It sold for €375.
A jumbo lot now, with around 150 medals and badges from various countries. What could we see here? There’s a British War medal and a Defence medal, a large number of Soviet medals and ones from Germany and Belgium. This pile sold for €650 so someone spotted something they wanted. There was another large lot, this time of Bavarian medals. There were 11 medal bars, each containing various items including Iron Crosses and also various miniatures. This one bagged €1,037.50. There was a varied selection of lots under the heading of militaria collectables in this auction. Here’s five French and Belgian trench art vases plus an iron plate with a Gallic rooster, from WWI, made from shell cases. They sold for €212.50. Also French, an M1792 gorget for officers of the infantry or the national guard, made from sheet brass with traces of gilding, and a silver-plated motif on which the Phrygian cap was placed between two oval medallions with the words ‘Droit de l'homme’ (right of man) and ‘Notre union fait notre force’ (our unity creates our strength). It sold for €500. And a final one from France, an Adrian M1915 steel helmet. Green painted steel bell (rubbed) with an infantry symbol painted black on the front. Complete, well-preserved brown leather strap lining, chinstrap made of gray leather. Signs of wear and age. That one went for €800.
This was an interesting piece of WWI militaria, a British
Orilux pocket lamp, with leather case. Leather-covered, nickel-plated sheet metal body, red and green filter, manufacturer's designation, leather case. It sold for €100.
Finally, we have photos, badges and a German reservist's beer stein from a crew member of the SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth which went to Tsingtau in
China. The lot consisted of four photos, postcards or purchase pictures in different formats. They showed his crewmates, city views and the local population. In addition a German reservist jug and a VWA for members of the Navy, each post-war or collector's productions (post-war made), as well as a Jewish badge of the XIX. Vienna district. The entire lot went for €400.