Hello,
I'm thinking of buying this document. Can anyone help me determine if it is original, value, and content of letter?

It is signed in blue ink. I would have thought it would have been in blue pencil?? Could this be correct?

Thanks for your help in advance.
Blademan

envelope

Blademan,

Hmm, tough call ... and I apologize that I don't have enough experience to make a good one to help you out a little ...

I believe you've noticed that pencil was preferred over ink in the hot desert, were most of his documents from the African-theatre signed that way? Have you established that by comparing this one to other known originals, or possibly by seeing the reference on page 474 of Charles Hamilton's book on leaders and personalities?

The sheet you're looking at could be absolutely genuine but ..? it smacks almost too exactly to the one pictured in that helpful volume. As a rank novice in this field, this small bit of niggling would set me off ... I'd say if you can't tell by yourself or don't quite trust the source, buy something you're personally more familiar with. I'd want an ironclad, lifetime guarantee on something like this, it may take some time to establish if it's 100% original or not, and I reckon it's not cheap? It would have be to your satisfaction because with every item like this I'm sure there will be pros and cons.

Thanks for the interesting post, I trust you'll make a wise decision. Please let us know what you eventually determine?

Best!

Bill

Bill,
Thanks for your insight. I also know little to nothing about this topic. After reading many forum posts on the topic, I have been able to gather the info regarding the use of pencil. I have also seen other documents that are "original" in blue pen. I have compared this signature to a half dozen originals and it is very close. I also black lighted the document and it does not shine.

This and several other documents, including one from Hitler, are from an old collection put together in the 1950's and were purchased in Germany at an auction (see auction lot numbers of 1858 on document). I believe they are not recent forgeries and think they are likely original.

My guess this is an original and would think worth in the $300 to $400 range. I can probably get this document for the $100 to $200 range. Cheap if real, but expensive if not. Waiting for owner to give me a price.

Thanks again for your help and will let you know how it goes.

Blademan

Could be some very expensive tp here if bad. I wish you good luck.

For reference,I have owned 4 Rommel sigs over the years: all were on notifications of promotion of rank and mainly for reserve or older officers.

All the signatures were in green Generals' pencil, from the Afrikan theater, and all the signatures were remarkably consistent.

I have several large groups of private Rommel letters on his various command stationary and this is a perfect example of his Panzerarmee Afrika letterhead. I have no doubt this is original and he used a dark blue pencil to sign the brief note.

If you look at his private family letters (to Lucie and Manfred) on microfilm at the U.S. National Archives you will see this same letterhead in addition to other stationary he used while commander of Panzergruppe Afrika and the Deutsches Afrikakorps.