Germany, Imperial. An Aero & Model Flying Club Group with Presentation Album, to Diplomingenieur Hermann Volpert

Germany, Imperial. An Aero & Model Flying Club Group with Presentation Album, to Diplomingenieur Hermann Volpert

(Auszeichnungen für Veteranen des Ersten Weltkriegs, mit Etui). An owner-attributed collection of First World War service awards and insignia, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of blackened and silvered non-magnetic metal, on loop for suspension, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened core situated within a ribbed and silvered 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 initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a Third Reich-period example (c. 1940) produced by the firm of H.J. Wilm, Berlin, measuring 43.84 mm (w) x 48.33 mm (h), weighing 16.2 grams, in near mint condition; accompanied by a stick pin ribbon bar, unmarked, measuring 25 mm in width, in extremely fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, constructed of a coppered metal alloy, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with crossed swords, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension and loop, unmarked, measuring 43.16 mm (w) x 65.66 mm (h), weighing 26.1 grams, demonstrating moderate loss of copper finish throughout, in better than very fine condition; accompanied by a stick pin ribbon bar, unmarked, measuring 25 mm in width, in extremely fine condition.

3. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension, 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 Carl Poellath, Schrobenhausen, measuring 37.47 mm (w) x 42.83 mm (h), weighing 15.5 grams, in extremely fine condition; accompanied by a stick pin ribbon bar, unmarked, measuring 25 mm in width, in extremely fine condition; both accompanied by their original award document, named to “DIPLOMINGENIEUR HERMANN VOLPERT” as a resident of Augsburg, dated 15 January 1935, measuring 21 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A German Honour Legion Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension, unmarked, measuring 32.22 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

5. An Aero and Model Flying Club Honour Badge, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, overlaid by a central black enameled propeller flanked by wings with feathering and details highlighted in silver, in turn bearing a central light blue enameled disc overlaid by a silvered centrepiece, the reverse with a vertical pinback, unmarked, measuring 54.86 mm (w) x 48.26 mm (h), weighing 18.2 grams, demonstrating minor flecking and surface chipping to the enamels, a Weimar-period example in better than very fine condition.

6. An identification tag, constructed of zink, perforated with double eyelets which retain an original neck rope executed in blue and white Bavarian national colours, triple-stamped with three unit dedications, measuring 70 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), demonstrating minor wear, in very fine condition.

Notably secreted within customized album, constructed of a card stock frame with a faux grey leather exterior liner, the cover bearing a central raised Stahlhelm situated above dates “1914-1918”, opening to reveal a transparent celluloid interior cover which accommodates the award document for the Honour Cross of the World War, featuring a pull tab to open an unused hidden compartment, with the opposite side featuring a padded black velvet medal bed allowing awards and insignia to be pinned in position, the lower right corner of the exterior back bearing a maker’s mark of “FR. WILH. RUHFUS, DORTMUND”, measuring 23.5 cm (w) x 17.5 cm (h), demonstrating only minor signs of material fatigue to high-contact points of the exterior liner, a superb customized accessory demonstrating the owner’s pride in his wartime career in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Genealogical records indicate that Hermann Volpert was born on 8 September 1899 in Würzburg, Bavaria. After frontline service during the First World War, he embarked on a career in aircraft engineering. As an employee of the noted firm of Junkers, he assisted in the designs of the Junkers T29, an experimental training aircraft. During the Second World War, Volpert served as a Luftwaffe Engineer Officer (Stabsingenieur), and survived to retire to private life, dying in Augsburg on 29 November 1963.