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Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Karl-Friedrich Merten. Kapitän zur See Karl-Friedrich Merten (15 August 1905, Posen – 2 May 1993, Waldshut-Tiengen) was one of the Kriegsmarine’s most successful U-boat commanders of the Second World War. Commanding U-68, he conducted five war patrols in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Indian Oceans, sinking 27 ships for a total of 170,151 GRT. His bold leadership and outstanding combat record earned him the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, as well as mention in the official Wehrmachtbericht.

Awards and Decorations

• Wehrmachtbericht Mention – 8 April 1942, for his successes with U-68.

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 13 June 1942, as Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant of U-68.
  Awarded for his first three patrols, during which U-68 sank 11 ships totaling 63,047 GRT, and for his role in rescuing the crews of the “Python” and “Atlantis” in late 1941.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub) – 16 November 1942, as Korvettenkapitän and Kommandant of U-68.
  Awarded after two more patrols in which U-68 sank 16 ships with 107,128 GRT.

• U-Boat War Badge with Diamonds (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillanten) – 30 January 1943, as commander of the 26. U-Boat Flotilla.

Career Highlights

• Joined the Reichsmarine in 1926, serving aboard the light cruisers Karlsruhe and Leipzig during Spanish Civil War patrols.

• At the outbreak of WWII, served aboard the battleship Schleswig-Holstein, taking part in the Battle of Westerplatte and the Battle of Hel.

• Transferred to the U-Bootwaffe in 1940; first served as watch officer on U-38.

• Commander of U-68 (1941–42):

  • 1st Patrol (June–August 1941) – broke into the Atlantic.

  • 2nd Patrol (Sept–Dec 1941) – 106 days at sea, involved in the rescue of crews of the Atlantis and Python.

  • 3rd Patrol (Feb–April 1942) – continued successes in the Atlantic.

  • 4th Patrol (May–July 1942) – heavy successes in Caribbean waters.

  • 5th Patrol (Aug–Dec 1942) – Indian Ocean operations, culminating in Oak Leaves award.

• Credited with 27 ships sunk (170,151 GRT).

• Commanded the 26th U-Boat Flotilla (Jan 1943) and later the 24th U-Boat Flotilla (March 1943).

• Posted to the Führer Headquarters in February 1945.

• Captured by US forces in May 1945 and released in June 1945.

• Postwar: worked in ship salvage on the Rhine, later entered the shipbuilding industry, and authored memoirs on U-boat warfare.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Karl-Friedrich Merten.

• Signed in blue ink on a wartime postcard.

• Condition: Condition as seen, bit faded.

Collector’s Note

Karl-Friedrich Merten ranks among the elite U-boat commanders of WWII, with over 170,000 GRT sunk and the Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub to his credit. His leadership during the long-range patrols of U-68 in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Indian Oceans, combined with his postwar authorship on U-boat warfare, makes his signature a highly sought-after piece for collectors of Kriegsmarine memorabilia.

Theodor Weissenberger (21 December 1914 † 10 June 1950) was a distinguished German Luftwaffe fighter ace during the Second World War, credited with over 200 aerial victories on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. Known for his exceptional skill as a night and day fighter, Weissenberger became one of the highest-scoring aces to survive the war.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 13 November 1942, as Oberfeldwebel and Flugzeugführer in 10./Jagdgeschwader 5.

• Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) – 2 June 1944, as Leutnant and Staffelkapitän of 7./Jagdgeschwader 5.

• Swords (Schwerter) – 25 July 1944, as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Jagdgeschwader 5.

• Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class and Front Flying Clasp in Gold.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Hauptmann Theodor Weissenberger.

• Signed on a wartime postcard.

• Provenance: From the large personal collection of HJ boy Ernst Fritzsche, who collected wartime autographs and correspondence during the period.

• Condition: Very good; minor age toning and light edge wear consistent with period handling. Signature slightly faded.

Collector’s Note

A highly regarded Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, Weissenberger’s autograph on period material is scarce and much sought after by collectors. This signed postcard, with confirmed wartime provenance, represents an authentic and desirable example of Luftwaffe history.

Heinrich Bleichrodt (21 October 1909 † 9 January 1977) was a decorated German U-boat commander of the Second World War, serving with distinction during the Battle of the Atlantic. As commander of U-48 and later U-109, Bleichrodt achieved major successes against Allied shipping and became one of the Kriegsmarine’s leading U-boat aces.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 24 October 1940, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-48.

• Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) – 23 September 1942, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-109.

• U-boat War Badge (U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen).

• Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Bleichrodt.

• Signed on a wartime postcard.

• Provenance: From the large personal collection of HJ boy Ernst Fritzsche, who collected wartime autographs and correspondence during the period.

• Condition: Good; postcard shows light age wear and trimmed edges from period handling. Signature remains bold and well-preserved.

Collector’s Note

Heinrich Bleichrodt ranks among the most successful U-boat commanders of the Kriegsmarine, credited with over 200,000 GRT of enemy shipping sunk. His autograph on wartime material is scarce and highly desirable, especially with traceable period provenance.

Reinhard Hardegen (18 March 1913 – 9 June 2018) was a decorated German U-boat commander during the Second World War. As commander of U-123, he became the 24th-most-successful German submarine commander of the war, credited with sinking 22 ships totaling 115,656 GRT. Hardegen was a leading figure during Operation Paukenschlag (Drumbeat), the early 1942 U-boat offensive along the U.S. East Coast.

After the war, he spent time as a British prisoner-of-war before returning to civilian life, where he founded a successful oil trading company and later served for over three decades as a member of Bremen’s city council (Bürgerschaft).

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 23 January 1942, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-123.

• Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) – 23 April 1942, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-123.

• U-boat War Badge with Diamonds (U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillanten).

• Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class and Front Clasp in Bronze.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Korvettenkapitän Reinhard Hardegen.

• Signed on a wartime postcard featuring his portrait.

• Provenance: From the large personal collection of HJ boy Ernst Fritzsche, who collected wartime autographs and correspondence during the period.

• Condition: Very good; postcard shows minor age-related wear, with a crisp and clear signature.

Collector’s Note

Reinhard Hardegen was among the Kriegsmarine’s most renowned U-boat commanders and one of the few to live into the 21st century. His wartime signature on an original postcard is scarce and highly collectible, particularly with known period provenance.

Werner Schröer (12 February 1918 † 10 February 1985) was a distinguished Luftwaffe fighter ace of the Second World War, credited with over 100 aerial victories, many achieved in the North African campaign. He served under and alongside several of Germany’s most famous fighter leaders, including Hans-Joachim Marseille, and later commanded Jagdgeschwader 27.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 21 July 1941, as Oberfeldwebel and Flugzeugführer in 1./Jagdgeschwader 27.

• Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) – 23 June 1942, as Leutnant and Staffelkapitän of 8./Jagdgeschwader 27.

• Swords (Schwerter) – 19 August 1944, as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 300.

• Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class, Front Flying Clasp in Gold, and other Luftwaffe decorations.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Major Werner Schröer.

• Provenance: From the large personal collection of HJ boy Ernst Fritzsche, who collected wartime autographs and correspondence during the period.

• Condition: Very good; light age wear consistent with the period. Signature remains bold and well-preserved.

Collector’s Note

Werner Schröer was one of the Luftwaffe’s leading aces of the North African and Mediterranean theatres. His Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords places him among the elite fighter pilots of the war. Authentic wartime-signed examples of Schröer’s autograph are highly desirable, particularly on original postcards with traceable provenance.

A remarkable and highly desirable authentic autograph grouping from one of Germany’s most significant military commanders of the Second World War:

Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein

This lot includes:

• Original postcard, signed by Manstein in ink. Visible but faded.

• Period personal dedication card bearing his printed name/title and a handwritten personal inscription, also signed in ink

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

Erich von Manstein is widely regarded as one of the most capable and studied strategists of WWII, commander of major operations including campaigns in France, Crimea, and the Eastern Front. Signed portrait photos of Manstein, especially when paired with a personally inscribed period card, are scarce and increasingly difficult to source.

This set represents a premium-tier militaria collectible, ideal for serious historians, autograph specialists, and high-end WWII German command collectors.

CONDITION

• Clear period aging and patina

• No restoration, repairs, or modern alterations

• Signature remains visible and legible

• Photo retains original contrast and detail

• Card shows natural toning consistent with original wartime paper

RARITY

• Original WWII era signed portrait

• Accompanied by a second signed personal inscription card

• Not a reproduction – not a facsimile

• High historical and display value

Such a paired autograph set is considered very uncommon, offering superior value compared to standalone signatures.

A visually striking and historically important autograph pair from Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein, consisting of a personally signed portrait photo and a second period card carrying his handwritten dedication and ink signature. A prestigious addition to any advanced collection.

Original Studioportrait of a “LSSAH” NCO at the rank of SS-Hauptscharführer with “Spieß” tresse, wearing a Panzer wrapper; several awards and the “Adolf Hitler” Cufftitle! Together with his wife. Top portrait. Postcardsize.

Original Studioportrait of 2x SD (Sicherheitsdienst) Personnel. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Original miniature Wound Badge in Black Stickpin. Maker marked L/16. Condition as seen.

Original miniature EK1 & EK2 stickpin. Condition as seen.

Original Miniature EK1, EK2 and VWA Schwarz Stickpin. Condition as seen.

Original SA (Sturmabteilung) “SA Treffen Braunschweig 17/18. Oktober 1931” Badge. Condition as seen.

Original “Der Stahlhelm” Membership Badge. Condition as seen.

Original “Der Stahlhelm” Membership Badge. Condition as seen.