A Large Signed Photograph Of Vice Admiral Karl Dönitz

A photo of Karl Dönitz, carrying his signature. It measures 227x167mm (on a 360x298mm piece of paper), near mint condition, with minimal signs of aging. Dönitz can be seen inspecting a group of Kriegsmarine soldiers. The signature is in blue ink, which due to the background appears black. Underneath his signature he stated his rank and role: Vizeadmiral u. BdU. (Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote), Vice Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the U-Boats. Based on this, the picture must have been taken between September 1940 and March 1942.

Footnote: Karl Dönitz (1891–1980) eventually reached the rank of Grand Admiral in 1943 and became Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine, the German navy. After the suicide of Adolf Hitler, Dönitz became his successor as head of state, a position he held for less than a month. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves.