The 3-page letter is addressed to NSDAP member Hans Geyer in Berlin-Falkensee. It was sent by the supreme leader of the SA (Oberster SA-Führer), Viktor Lutze, and is dated to Munich on August 5, 1937. The letter settles a dispute between the SA and former member Geyer, who had been permanently excluded from the organisation, yet had appealed due to misconduct during the decision. The letter carries an official stamp of the SA leader, as well as Lutze’s signature in green crayon. Measuring 210 (w) mm x 296 (h) mm, with two punched holes, light scuffing of the edges, and light fraying where staples were removed. The pages are stapled together at the upper left. Remaining very fine.
Footnote: Geyer, born June 18, 1901, had served in the SA as Administrative Senior Troop Leader (Verw.-Obertruppenführer). He had joined the NSDAP on February 1, 1932 and the SA on November 1, 1933. Geyer’s appeal regarding the exclusion from the SA, as stated by Lutze, was partially valid. Therefore, the permanent exclusion will be revoked. However, Geyer will be discharged from the SA according to regulations. Geyer had complained that he had had no chance to defend himself before he was excluded. Lutze replies that this is correct, however, due to Geyer’s misdeeds this is negligible. Indeed, Lutze continues, there is no actual need for him or anybody to even address the appeal in the first place. Apparently, Geyer had had a criminal record, which he lied about upon entering the SA. He should have been aware that this action would result in a dishonourable discharge. Lutze says that only because of Geyer’s excellent conduct during his time with the SA and his efforts to make financial amends for his crime has he decided to go easy on him and only discharge him from the SA, instead of going with the usual permanent exclusion. The difference seems to be comparable to an honourable versus a dishonourable discharge. Lutze states that he does not want to be the reason for Geyer to leave the righteous path on which he has been now for so many years. Lutze expects Geyer to appreciate this concession. He reminds him that after leaving the SA he is still a member of the NSDAP, and should never bring dishonour on this organisation. Under the explanations on rights of appeal on the last page, Lutze states that there can be no further appeal, since he has already made a decision as lenient as he could have possibly made under the circumstances.
Viktor Lutze was born on December 28, 1890. He served as a soldier during the First War, won the Iron Cross I Class, and lost an eye (Wound Badge in Silver). He joined the NSDAP in 1922 and the SA in 1923, where he began to advance through the ranks. In 1933 Lutze was made governor of the province of Hanover. After the SA purge of the Night of the Long Knives, Lutze became the new SA leader as successor of the murdered Ernst Röhm. Lutze died as a result of a car crash on May 2, 1943. Posthumously, he was awarded the German Order and received a state funeral, attended by A.H.