- THIS ITEM IS SOLD
Magnificent set of Knights Cross and Knight Cross with Oakleaves Formal award documents with storage case for a Luftwaffe Stuka pilot who fell in the Battle of Stalingrad, the recipient of both was Major Johann Zemsky who was awarded the Knights Cross in February 1942 and the Oakleaves posthumously in September 1942, Major Zemsky’s Stuka was shot down by flak on his 601st mission on 28 August 1942 and he died of his injuries (please paste the URL below for more information about this officer), both Mappen are enclosed in a special storage case having a hinged side and a separate lid, the case measures 43x41x7cm and its outer surfaces are covered in deep red Moroccan leather, the case's hinged side allows the Mappen to be more easily accessed by sliding them out rather than lifting, the case's underside as well as the underside of the lid have surfaces of natural cardboard, further each Mappe is contained in its own distinct thick light grey colored cardboard container consisting of body with separate lid, reinforced edges and hinged side, the reverse surface of the lid for the Oakleaves Mappe has a recessed section to accommodate the outline of the raised eagle, each cardboard storage box contains its own sections of enfolding protective papers for the Mappe covers, in addition there are sections of lighter tissue paper used to separate and cushion the folders as well as each individual page of the award documents, further, each folder’s edge has the letter L and the named Zemsky penciled to the side, the Knights Cross award document folder measures approximately 45x37cm, the cover has the same deep red Moroccan leather as the storage box, the cover has a large embossed eagle and swastika inlaid with gold leaf, the edges of the folder have gold colored cross hatches, the interior front and rear covers are of parchment vellum, the award document itself is a single piece of parchment which is held to the spine by a thick and unbroken leather covered cord, the bottom rear edge has the name Frieda Thiersch in small gold letters, the award parchment itself is lettered in brown ink and gold leaf and has Hitler’s signature by hand, both Zemsky’s name as well as Hitler’s signature are protected by rectangular shaped thick felt strips, the Oakleaves award document measures approximately 45x37cm, the cover is of white leather and a metal eagle and swastika having a toned gold finish is mounted to the front cover, the edges of this folder also have the gold colored cross hatches, the interior front and rear covers are of parchment vellum, the award document itself is a single piece of parchment which is held to the spine by an undamaged length of white leather covered cord, the bottom rear edge of the folder also has the name Frieda Thiersch in small gold letters, the award parchment itself is lettered in brown ink and gold leaf and the eagle is entirely of gold leaf, with original Hitler pen signature, again, both Zemsky’s name as well as Hitler’s signature are protected by long rectangular shaped felt strips, condition of the set is excellent, both folders are absent the typical scuffing and dinged corners, lettering and signatures are sharp, there is no creasing to the vellum, the parchment of each shows some minor age yellowing as does the white leather surface of the Oakleaves folder, the group was sourced directly from the family and full chain of ownership particulars will be shared with the buyer, rare opportunity and one of the very few matching Knights Cross and Knight Cross with Oakleaves Formal award documents known, all serious parties may inquire to info@virtualgrenadier.com for additional details and pricing information SOLD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Zemsky
