Studioportrait of SA-Brigadeführer is Richard Wagenbauer (Signed!)

Original postcard-size studio portrait depicting SA-Brigadeführer Richard Wagenbauer (30 June 1896 – 20 October 1942) in full uniform. The photograph shows Wagenbauer wearing the insignia of his rank on both collar tabs and shoulder boards, posed in a formal studio setting typical of high-ranking SA officers during the late 1930s. The image is sharply focused with excellent contrast, clearly displaying details of his service uniform and decorations.

The portrait bears Richard Wagenbauer’s original signature at the lower margin.

Biographical Note

Richard Wagenbauer was a German politician (NSDAP) and senior SA leader. A veteran of the First World War, he served in the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiments and later joined Freikorps Epp and Detachment Hierl during the postwar years.

He became a member of the NSDAP in October 1930 (Party No. 502,919) and initially joined the SS, transferring to the SA in 1932. From 1933 to 1934, he briefly served as Police President of Karlsruhe, before assuming a leading post within the SA structure, eventually reaching the rank of Gruppenführer (later equivalent to Brigadeführer).

After the outbreak of the Second World War, Wagenbauer requested transfer to the Wehrmacht, serving as a Major and Abteilungs-Kommandeur. In February 1942, he was appointed Reichstag deputy for Electoral District 26 (Franken), a position he held until his death later that year.

Wagenbauer served as SA leader of the SA-Gruppe Bayernwald in Bayreuth and was due to assume command of the SA-Gruppe Hochland in Munich in October 1942. On 20 October 1942, he died in Coburg under unclear circumstances following a fall from a hotel window. He was buried in the Bayreuth Stadtfriedhof.

Item Details

• Original signed studio portrait of SA-Brigadeführer Richard Wagenbauer.

• Size: Postcard format (approx. 3.5 × 5.5 in / 9 × 14 cm).

• Medium: Glossy photographic paper, blank reverse.

• Condition: Very good; light edge toning and minimal handling wear. Signature remains clean and legible.

Collector’s Note

An uncommon original signed portrait of SA-Brigadeführer Richard Wagenbauer, who held both political and command positions within the SA and briefly in the Reichstag. Authentic signed photographs of SA officers at this rank are scarce, and this example offers strong historical and research value.