UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum Kieler Woche

Kieler Woche or "Kiel Week" was, & still is today, a sailing regatta established originally as an imitation of the British "Cowes Week" held off the Isle of Wight, a small island on the South coast of the UK which had been first sailed in 1826. In 1891 the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, began to race his yacht each year at Cowes, while at the same time visiting his grandmother, Queen Victoria. He decided that Germany should have an equivalent regatta, so in 1895 an annual local rowing and sailing regatta usually held at the end of June was converted with royal patronage into the Kieler Woche.

In 1934 the NS regime saw the regatta as a perfect opportunity to promote German sportsmanship & introduced badges & plaques for (I believe) the first time. The badges I show below are from 1934, the only year I believe that badges were issued during the Third Reich period, however enamel plaques were issued for each year from 1934 to 1939. Due to the war the regatta wasn't held again fully until 1949 (in August 1945, just three months after cessation of hostilities, the British held a Kiel Week for themselves and their allies, the Danes, Norwegians and American forces. The Germans were not permitted on the water. It wasn't until 1948 that it became a fully German regatta and then finally in 1949, a race week.

Here are the badges from 1934, two enamel badges, one with a pin back & the other with a button hole attachment. Both are marked to M. Hansen, Kiel (incidentally Hansen also made the plaques & continued to do so almost every year until the late 1970's). And a "tinnie" version which is unmarked. I have no idea for the reason behind having an enamel & tinnie versions, whether the enamel was for the participants & the tinnie for spectators.... Or simply a more expensive enamel badge for those who could afford it & a cheaper tin version for the less well off....?

Notice that the tinnie is about 1mm larger than the enamel versions.

I have a nice photo showing one of the badges in wear. Looling at the border of the badge, I'd say that it is the tinnie version....

Here is a picture of the 1934 program (with the badges again) which contains listings for the various events. The original owner has made notes on the cover....

Finally I mentioned that there were plaques. These are not my area of collecting so have never bothered to pick any up, however looking again at the other pieces that I have I may buy a 1934 if I come across one in the future for completeness....

Here is an example sold by Emedals a few years ago.... Although known to be made by Hansen, they were unmarked.

Don, informatively written. Thanks for sharing.
My thoughts would be the tinnie (day badge) was for the viewing attendee's donation and remembrance, while the enamel pins were for a slightly higher donation (contributors) or possibly event organizers? Since I see no serial numbers. I would think competitors would get a cup or salver. If not a numbered event badge. Judges normally got numbered badges I think.
The plaques (door plaques), a competitors or organizers remembrance purchase option as not being numbered.
This is all conjecture on my part.
I have observed very few examples over the years. First time seeing a plaque.

Regards;

--dj--Joe

period photos,, enamel, button hole,,,notebook!!! I've never seen one of these at a show anywhere! With some of these dealers one could be buried in one of their tinnie trays - 3 for $100. deals!!! !

The button hole example is really nice.. with enamels there will always be waste.. IF a 100 are made I'd say there are 3 or so that the enamel got messed up for one reason or another and couldn't be issued..
Thank you very much for the education/information on these rare little pieces... something to keep my out on at the shows!!.. Thanks again,,G.

Thank you Gentlemen.

I must admit that these three little badges are some of my favourite pieces.

It occurred to me that you may like to see all of the plaques issued during the period, as far as I'm aware there were only badges for 1934. This image is courtesy of this wonderful site for collectors of Kieler Woche items from 1934 to the present day. A great resource. http://www.kieler-jung.de/plaketten/plaketten.htm

I'll be on the lookout in the dealers tinnie rikers/corners of case etc..

- They really are all wonderful!! [ They'd make great bathroom tile accent pieces! ]

I recently managed to find the 1934 plaque so thought that I would update the image of my set...

- thats a nice one Don!... always like seeing that program. Got to be hard to find in any condition. How are you keeping that? An acid free back board and Mylar envelope?

I'm afraid not. It's just in a pile with other booklets & documents that I have.....

Nice addition Don.

--dj--Joe

Wow, those Kiel week badges are quite striking looking. I have seen a few of the plaques before but never picked one up. In fact, there was a 1934 one I saw up for sale just lately but I passed on it because I had just spent money on something else. I thought long and hard about it before passing on it though I can tell you. Always love to see items from your collection Don. Beautiful stuff.

Thank you Gentlemen 😊

Long ago when I bought the 1934 program on the previous page, it also came with the program for 1937. I didn't pay much attention to it as I was only interested in the 1934 items. However, last week I spotted the 1937 plaque for sale & thought "Why not...." & bought it.... So I guess that I am now officially collecting the plaques as well

It's the same size as the 1934, & is marked on the reverse M. Hansen, Kiel.

And together with the program. As you can see, this one has also been annotated by the original owner....

Hi Don, at least it is a limited collecting niche. Some of them might be quite a challenge.

--dj--Joe