UBB.threads
Dateline: Towson, Maryland- No Distribution without Permission

Hi All:
Here’s a late breaking story for you. What is believed to be the formal Generalfeldmarschal baton for Germany’s World War II Luftwaffe General “Smiling Albert” Kettering sold at a suburban Baltimore auction house on Saturday, Dec. 11. Consigned by the family of a deceased Jewish war veteran, the family said that their father, a soldier in the 2nd Armored Division, was in the first American jeep to enter Berlin. He was given the assignment to search chateau’s around Berlin for booby traps when he found the baton. The baton was brought home as a souvenir and had been in a closet since the war until the son decided to put it up for auction. Several reproductions of the baton have been made over the years, and controversy swirled since the auction preview opened on Wednesday over whether this was the original whose location since the war had been apparently unknown. The auction house gave it a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$15,000. Despite the estimate and the controversy, bidding was fast as it opened at $10,000, finally coming down to a battle between a phone bidder (reportedly in Germany) and noted German militaria dealer Jason Burmeister, accompanied by militaria dealer Brian Maederer, who finally prevailed with his bid of $620,000 ($731,600 with the 18% buyers premium). Perhaps it will be on display at the Show of Shows. Here is a link to see the auction house photos:

http://catalogs.alexcooper.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=1012++++++93+&refno=+++23112


For those who say that there is nothing great left to be found, this shows that important relics from this conflict will be coming out beyond your lifetime as the last of the WW II veteran’s pass away and relatives eventually decide to part with their once prized souvenirs.

Enjoy!

Ross Kelbaugh
www.ssdaggers.com
www.HistoricGraphics.com


Attached picture 23112.jpg
Posted By: Denny Gaither Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/13/2010 01:42 AM
Isn't that about the highest price ever paid for a Third Reich item?
If it is original, (Brian & Jason are evidently convinced)it is a real work of art!
40 years ago, I was present when a good friend purchased Kesselring's Interimstab at the OGCA show in Columbus, Ohio.
It, Kesselring's sword and a few other pieces belonging to von Ribbentrop and Göring were purchased from a veteran named Krebala (if I remember correctly) from Kentucky. Immediately as the war ended, he was a translator where the top Nazis were being gathered and participated in the interregations.
The price my friend paid for the Interimstab was slightly less than the one discussed here. He paid $600 for it and had it for many years before selling it for considerably more than he paid.
Posted By: Stephane Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/13/2010 02:11 AM
Amazing, especially with the current economy.
Posted By: bgrelics Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/14/2010 05:36 PM
I had no idea a baton would go for that kind of money.I will know who to cotact if one come into one of my hotel buys.
Posted By: anonymous 123 Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/14/2010 10:15 PM
Just note one thing. You won't see this publicised in the "mainstream" new media. The last thing they want the general public to know is how valuable some 3rd Reich regalia really is in todays market.
I am not aware of another fieldmarshalls baton thats in private hands today. Does anyone on the forum know of another?
Jim
Posted By: Robert H. Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/15/2010 04:33 AM
Kesselring!


When one or two have the money it's a steal, trust me about this one. And it will be offered probably right away over one Million and a buyer will get find as well sometime and I guess you don't have to wait long till it gets sold and this thing is pure solid.

Maybe Weitze as on the phone grin
Posted By: Tiberius Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/21/2010 04:55 AM
That is a glorious piece of workmanship. I don't really know what these batons used to go for, but I do know that despite the tenuous economy the top end of the art and auction market is stronger than ever. Several world records have been set at auction in the past year or two. It seems the people with the money are willing to pay top dollar for the very best of whatever they are interested in collecting, particularly artwork.

Thanks for sharing.

T.
Posted By: Tiberius Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/21/2010 07:10 AM
Originally Posted By: jim m
I am not aware of another fieldmarshalls baton thats in private hands today. Does anyone on the forum know of another?
Jim


Well, there's always the one being offered by Snyder's Treasures... http://www.snyderstreasures.com/pages/vonbockbaton.htm

Oh look, he even posted about the Maryland Baton on the page. Heh.

T.
Posted By: Sepp Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 12/21/2010 05:40 PM
I for one would never buy anything from him....but with that said...that baton sure looks good

Sepp

GDC 0292 Gold
Posted By: Denny Gaither Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/04/2011 08:30 PM
Originally Posted By: Denny Gaither
40 years ago, I was present when a good friend purchased Kesselring's Interimstab at the OGCA show in Columbus, Ohio.
It, Kesselring's sword and a few other pieces belonging to von Ribbentrop and Göring were purchased from a veteran named Krebala (if I remember correctly) from Kentucky. Immediately as the war ended, he was a translator where the top Nazis were being gathered and participated in the interregations.
The price my friend paid for the Interimstab was slightly less than the one discussed here. He paid $500 for it and had it for many years before selling it for considerably more than he paid.


Thought you might enjoy seeing a few pictures of the OTHER Kesselring baton. Sorry for the quality of these. I had only the negatives to work with, which I scanned. Sure wish we had digital cameras back in the day!

Attached picture Kesselring Interimstab-001-2 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture Kesselring Interimstab-002-2 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture Kesselring Interimstab-003-3 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture Kesselring Interimstab-004.jpg
Posted By: Denny Gaither Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/04/2011 08:36 PM
Here are a few other items that were formerly in my friend's collection. Actually, I believe he still has the epaulet.

Attached picture Unknown Feld Marschall Epaulet001 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture von Kleist Urkunde003 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture von Kleist Urkunde004 (Medium).jpg
Attached picture von Kleist Urkunde002 (Medium).jpg
Posted By: zorro Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/05/2011 12:04 AM
Originally Posted By: jim m
Just note one thing. You won't see this publicised in the "mainstream" new media. The last thing they want the general public to know is how valuable some 3rd Reich regalia really is in todays market.
I am not aware of another fieldmarshalls baton thats in private hands today. Does anyone on the forum know of another?
Jim
Kind of like the TV show Pawn Stars and Antiqur Roadshow.They don't buy that kind of stuff because it's creepy and what it represents to the public.I bet when the cameras stop rolling they can't get their wallets out fast enough
Posted By: Dave Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/05/2011 01:05 AM
The guy is still alive

See Der Spiegel interview with Ewald von Kliest !!

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,748844,00.html

Dave
Posted By: Denny Gaither Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/05/2011 04:19 PM
Hi Dave,
Actually FM Ewald von Kleist died in 1954 at the age of 73. The Spiegel interview is with his son who was a Cavalry Hauptmann during WWII.
http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/GermanFieldMarshalsWW2/EwaldvonKleist.html
Posted By: Craig Gottlieb Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/07/2011 05:57 PM
Was the baton on display at Jason's table at SOS? I didn't see it.
Posted By: Denny Gaither Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/08/2011 05:03 PM
No it wasn't....
Posted By: wes_143 Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 03/09/2011 04:39 PM
Here is a good picture of one of these batons

Attached picture $(KGrHqUOKicE0)j3V4iVBNbmP9,OuQ~~0_3.jpg
Posted By: Ted Welch Re: $731k Field Marshall Baton! - 10/15/2014 06:41 PM
I dont know if you guys know it, but Werner von Blomberg's Interim Baton is for sale at Hermann Historica in December. It is on the cover of their catalog.
http://www.hermann-historica.de/db2_en/
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