Germany, Imperial. The Awards, Documents, and Photographs of Major Wilhelm Heimsch, Balloon and Airship Troops

(Ballonzüge Auszeichnungen, Ausweispapiere, und Fotos). A superb and fascinating lot of awards, documents, and photographs from the estate of eventual Luftwaffe Major Wilhelm Heimsch, who served with distinction in the balloon and airship troops of Imperial Germany, consisting of:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from a Third Reich-period ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown topped by initials “FW”, unmarked, measuring 42.46 mm (w) x 46.67 mm (h), weighing 14.7 grams, in near extremely fine condition, accompanied by its award document, named to Heimsch as a Vizefeldwebel of 12. Kompanie, Grenadier-Regiment „Königin Olga“ (1. Württembergisches) Nr. 119, received on 24 September 1917 with a retroactive award date of 16 August 1916, certified by the handwritten signature of Oberstleutnant Max von Gemmingen, measuring 19.5 cm (w) x 24 cm (h) as presented, demonstrating some creasing and fatigue, in better than very fine condition.

2. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a vaulted Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a barrel hinge and horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 42.32 mm (w) x 42.51 mm (h), weighing 13.0 grams, demonstrating re-assembly of the frame resulting in the pinback situated at an incorrect three to nine o’clock position, in addition to possible restoration of the core finish, a privately-purchased example in very fine condition, accompanied by its original preliminary award document, named to Heimsch as a Leutnant der Reserve of Ballonzug 70, received on 4 October 1918 with a retroactive award date of 30 September, certified by the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann, measuring 21 cm (w) x 16 cm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

3. A Silver Grade Wound Badge, constructed of silver toned brass, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, surrounding a central Stahlhelm overlaying crossed swords on a hollow void, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 39.90 mm (w) x 43.37 mm (h), weighing 7.2 grams, accompanied by its award certificate, named to Heimsch as a Leutnant der Reserve of Ballonzug 70, issued on 5 October 1918 for three wounds, certified by the handwritten signature of Major Gerike, measuring 17 cm (w) x 23.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Reichsverband Pforzheim, measuring 38.06 mm (w) x 42.20 mm (h), weighing 15.4 grams, demonstrating some surface oxidation, in very fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, interestingly named to Heimsch as a resident of Athens, Greece, dated 6 February 1936, measuring 21 cm (w) x 15 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “6” for Fritz Zimmermann, Stuttgart, measuring 49.37 mm (w) x 49.65 mm (h), weighing 23.7 grams, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, named to Heimsch as Hauptmann der Reserve, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Eugen Weissmann (German Cross in Silver, 20 March 1944), measuring 15 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A War Merit Cross I Class, constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and with a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “1” for Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 48.54 mm (w) x 48.36 mm (h), weighing 21.4 grams, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, named to Heimsch as a Major, issued from Luftflotte 3 headquarters on 1 September 1944, certified by the handwritten signature of Generaloberst Otto Dessloch (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 24 June 1940; with Oak Leaves, 10 May 1944), measuring 15 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. A Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold ribbon, unmarked, measuring 32.06 mm in diameter, weighing 18.6 grams, in extremely fine condition; accompanied by its original award document, named to Heimsch as a Leutnant der Reserve and resident of Stuttgart, dated 40 October 1941, measuring 17.5 cm (w) x 24.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A German Airship Association membership badge, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, the reverse with a boutonniere style attachment, maker marked with the logo of Anton Werner & Sohn, Berlin, stamped with a silver content number of “925”, measuring 24.00 mm (w) x 31.89 mm (h), weighing 10.8 grams, demonstrating minor chipping to the enamels, a rare early example in near extremely fine condition.

9. Supplemented by a mixed group of seven miniatures awards, badges, and insignia, of various construction, in overall extremely fine condition.

10. A lot of 16 private photographs documenting Heimsch’s service during both the First and Second World Wars, featuring images of balloons and personnel with Heimsch standing beside his aircraft, as well as a group photograph with a sign featuring a unit designation clearly visible, concluding with images of the Eastern Front during Heimsch’s service in the latter conflict, a superb primary account featuring scarce images in extremely fine condition.

11. A lot of 12 postcards, primarily dated to the Imperial era with some featuring handwritten inscriptions on the reverse of each, in overall extremely fine condition.

12. A Reichssportabzeichen (Reich Sports Badge) booklet, constructed of a paper stock binding with 14 paginated interior pages filled with handwritten and stamped entries, indicating that Heimsch received the Gold Grade Badge on 6 October 1942 with particular proficiency in cycling and swimming, featuring a certified studio portrait of Heimsch in a Luftwaffe uniform and with Feldpost stamps assigned to Fliegerhorst-Kommandantur A 217/XII, measuring 15 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.