The collection includes: Luftwaffe Soldbuch; Luftwaffe pilot licence; two post-war private pilot licences; post-war labour insurance booklet; 43 period photos.
The Soldbuch is dated to October 15, 1940. Measuring 102 mm (w) x 144 mm (h), presenting denazification efforts of the cover, coming apart of cover and body of the book to the effect that the pages are no longer connected, but are otherwise in good condition, 6 pages remain present, remains near fine.
The Luftwaffe pilot licence is dated to Zwölfaxing (eastern Austria) on December 10, 1941. It includes a blind flight special licence, enabling Gaißmayer to conduct instruments-only flights during bad weather conditions. Measuring 100 mm (w) x 148 mm (h), presenting denazification efforts of the cover, the spine starting to come apart, several of the pages having come loose and some presenting mild to extensive fraying, remains fair.
The post-war private pilot licences are dated to 1977 and 1993, respectively. Measuring 106 mm (w) x 148 mm (h), presenting light scuffing and discolouration, remaining near extremely fine.
The post-war labour insurance booklet includes entries from 1953 to 1965. Measuring 104 mm (w) x 148 mm (h), presenting light scuffing of the cover, remains extremely fine.
The 43 period photos show Gaißmayer and other Luftwaffe members in uniform, as well as a group in civilian clothing climbing mountains. Near very fine to near mint condition.
Footnote: Anton Gaißmayer was born on November 18, 1921 in Illerrieden (near Ulm, southern Germany). He joined the Luftwaffe and began flight training in October of 1940. On July 1, 1941, he was promoted to Gefreiter (lance corporal). By December of the same year, Gaißmayer had received his Luftwaffe pilot licence, and was awarded the Pilot Badge on January 2, 1942. He received a promotion to Unteroffizier (NCO) on August 1, 1942. Gaißmayer joined the 6th squadron of Jagdgeschwader (fighter wing) 300, nicknamed “Wilde Sau” (wild boar) on August 8, 1943. JG 300 was established only about six weeks earlier as a day fighter wing that would engage Allied bombers operating over Germany at night. Gaißmayer received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 3, 1943. He was promoted to Feldwebel (sergeant) on April 1, 1944, and received the Iron Cross 1st Class on June 26 of the same year. On July 7, 1944, Gaißmayer had to bail out during aerial combat and was wounded in action. He received the Wound Badge in Black on July 19, as well as the Front Flying Clasp in Bronze. At the end of the war, Gaißmayer had claimed 9 aerial victories. Gaißmayer retained a passion for flying. He received a private pilot licence in December of 1954 and was still flying until at least 1993. Gaißmayer died on September 15, 2015.