Germany, NSDAP. A Set of Golden Party Badges Belonging to SS-Obergruppenführer Arthur Seyss-Inquart, with Case, by Deschler & Sohn

(Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP mit Etui). A set of Golden Party Badges belonging to SS-Obergruppenführer Arthur Seyss-Inquart, Reichskommissar for the occupied Netherlands, including a large badge, constructed of gilded tombak with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consists of a circular oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black mobile swastika, within a red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “NATIONAL-SOZIALISTISCHE D.A.P.” (“NATIONAL SOCIALIST GERMAN WORKERS’ PARTY”), within a final white enameled ring, the reverse featuring a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting flattened catch, engraved with initials “A.H.” and a date of “30. 1. 1939”, unmarked but with the physical characteristics of manufacture by Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 30.40 mm in diameter, weighing 13.8 grams, minor flecking of enamels evident, in overall extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a miniature or Lilliput version, of identical construction and composition, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked but with the physical characteristics of manufacture by Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 23.96 mm in diameter, weighing 7.3 grams, the catch loop of the pinback has broken off and there is minor flecking of the enamels, in overall near extremely fine condition.

The badges are accompanied by their period original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior liner, the interior with a padded white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, opening with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional metal hinge, unmarked, measuring 85 mm (w) x 120 mm (l) x 25 mm (h), the medal bed is missing, the NSDAP insignia has been peeled away from the lid, and one of the frame planks has been partially separated, in overall worn/used condition.

Badges are accompanied by: A certificate pertaining to the birthdate, occupation and address of Gertrude Seyß-Inquart, dated 27 November 1946, stamped with the official seal of Mattsee and signed, presenting two folding creases, minimal scuffing at edges, measuring 209 mm (w) x 298 mm (h); 

Correspondence from the United States Army to Gertrude Seyß-Inquart requesting Dutch property to be released, dated 25 February 1947, in English and German, stamped with the official seal of the Property Control & Restitution Section and signed by Restitutions Officer Malcolm Shaw, presenting two folding creases, minor creasing at edges and minimal discolouration, measuring 205 mm (w) x 268 mm (h); 

A handwritten letter on light pink paper in pencil, dated 25 December 1946, presenting a single folding crease and scuffing at the edges, measuring 164mm (w) x 212 mm (h);

A handwritten letter on white paper in ink, dated 30 December 1946, presenting three folding creases, minimal creasing at edges, measuring 160 mm (w) x 274mm (h); 

A letter to Arthur Seyß-Inquart at Nuremberg prison, typed in black ink and dated 10 October 1946, presenting two folding creases, measuring 211 mm (w) x 222 mm (h); 

A handwritten letter on cream paper, dated 6 December 1946, presenting two folding creases, minimal scuffing at edges, measuring 170 mm (w) x 260 mm (h); 

A document from the 6850th Internal Security Detachment  International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany dated 20 September 2019, in regards to Gertrude Seyß-Inquart entereingthe Casual Detachment Area and eating in the German Civilians’ mess, signed by Captain Samuel H. Binder, presenting two folding creases, minimal scuffing and discolouration, measuring 204 mm (w) x 269 mm (h);

Correspondence from the Counter Intelligence Corps Salzburg Detachment United States Forces Austria, dated 20 September 1946, in regards to converting currency and transportation for Gertrude and Dorothea Seyß-Inquart to Nuremberg, stamped with the official seal of the Counter Intelligence Corps and signed by Gerald J. Weber, stapled at the top left corner, presenting two folding creases, minimal discolouration and scuffing, measuring 204 mm (w) x 267 mm (h); 

Two pages of correspondence from the 6850th Internal Security Detachment  International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany dated 30 October 1946, in regards to the returning of personal belongings of Arthur Seyß-Inquart, signed by Major F.C. Teich, presenting two folding creases per page, slight creasing and scuffing at edges, measuring 204 mm (w) x 268 mm (h); 

A photocopied picture of WIlhelm Frick, Arthur Seyß-Inquart, Julius Streicher and Konstatin von Neurath at Nuremberg prison eating a meal, the reverse is stamped “Nurnberg 1945/1946”, measuring 240 mm (w) x 185 mm (h), all very fine. 

Footnote: Arthur Seyß-Inquart was born on July 22, 1892 in the village of Stannern (present-day Stonařov, southern Czech Republic) near the town of Iglau (Jihlava). This was a German speaking community within a Czech dominated area in Moravia, at the time part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The family moved to Vienna in 1907.

Seyß-Inquart began to study law at the university of Vienna, and earned his degree during the First War in 1917 while recovering from being wounded. As a soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army he saw action in Russia, Romania, and Italy. He received several bravery decorations and at the end of the war held the rank of Oberleutnant (first lieutenant). 

After the war, Seyß-Inquart developed close ties with several right wing and fascist organisations, among them the Vaterländische Front (Fatherland Front). He became a successful lawyer and had his own practice since 1921. In 1933, Seyß-Inquart went into Austrian politics and joined the cabinet of chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß.

Through growing influence and support by non other than A.H. himself, Seyß-Inquart eventually became Austrian Minister of the Interior in February of 1938. With the looming annexation of Austria by Germany in March of the same year, Austrian chancellor Schuschnigg stepped down. Seyß-Inquart was chosen as his successor due to immense pressure applied on the Austrian government by the NSDAP. 

He served in this position for less than two days, until the Anschluss was completed. Seyß-Inquart signed the documents that legalised the annexation of Austria by Germany. After his office had ceased to exist, he was named Reichsstatthalter (Reich Governor) of the Ostmark, the newly created province that Austria had become as part of Greater Germany. 

Being a fanatical anti-Semite, Seyß-Inquart almost immediately ordered the confiscation of Jewish property and had the Austrian Jews sent to concentration camps. He received the honorary SS rank of Gruppenführer in May of 1939, and would go on to become an SS-Obergruppenführer in 1941.

After the attack on Poland at the beginning of the Second War, Seyß-Inquart was named deputy to Hans Frank, the General Governor of occupied Poland. He supported Frank in the deportation of Polish Jews. Seyß-Inquart was also aware of the systematic murder of Polish intellectuals by the German secret service “Abwehr”.

In May of 1940, A.H. named Seyß-Inquart Reich Commissioner of the Netherlands. His policies concerning the Dutch Jews were no different than his policies had been concerning the Jews in Austria and Poland, in that they were ousted from governmental, and leading press and industry positions, their property seized, before being sent to concentration camps. Of the 140,000 Jews that were registered in the Netherlands in 1941, only 30,000 survived the war.

During his reign of terror, Seyß-Inquart also authorized the execution of at least 800 people, ranging from political prisoners to resistance fighters. At the end of the war, he was arrested by Allied forces and became one of the 24 defendants during the Nuremberg trials against the major war criminals. Seyß-Inquart was found guilty in three out of four charges and executed by hanging on October 16, 1946.