Germany, Der Stahlhelm. A Rare Wehrsportkreuz, with Case, Award Document, and Recipient Photo

(Der Stahlhelm Wehrsportkreuz mit Etui, Verleihungsurkunde, und Foto). A rare and exceptional Der Stahlhelm Wehrsportkreuz set, including:

1. A Wehrsportkreuz, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a repeated point cross with ribbed and black enameled arms, with each quadrant transitioning to a crowned eagle’s head, the centre consisting of an additional white enameled repeated point cross, overlaid by a raised and silvered Stahlhelm insignia, the reverse with a central visible rivet securing the obverse insignia in place, engraved with an issue number of “21”, with a crimped hinge and elongated banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 45.04 mm (w) x 45.21 mm (h), weighing 21.6 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of two pieces of card stock with a dark blue exterior liner, the interior retaining an original cotton medal bed, unmarked, measuring 55 mm (w) x 55 mm (l)x 18 mm (h), the award demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, a scarce example in near mint condition.

2. An award document to the Wehrsportkreuz, constructed of off-white card stock with multi-coloured ink, featuring an elaborate rectangular oak leaf border interspersed with patriotic imagery, surrounding a central depiction of the decoration flanked by oak leaves bearing inscriptions of “WEHRSPORT”, surrounded by a dedication, named to “DERK HÜLSEBUS” of Der Stahlhelm Ortsgruppe Norden, issued in Berlin on 23 October 1931 and entitling Hülsebus to wear the award until 30 September 1936, the reverse bearing a handwritten number “136”, measuring 25 cm (w) x 32.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor creasing and discoloration, a scarce award document in near extremely fine condition.

3. A small black-and-white studio portrait of Hülsebus in a Stahlhelm uniform with the Wehrsportkreuz clearly visible on his lower left breast, the reverse appropriately bearing a Norden studio stamp, measuring 6.5 cm (w) x 8.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition. Footnote: While the precise meaning of the handwritten number “136” on the reverse of the award document is unknown, it is possible that this corresponds to the issue number of the Wehrsportkreuz it is intended to accompany, which would render this lot an authentic but mis-matched set.