Press Release Autumn sale of the Hermann Historica ohg The autumn series of auctions of the renowned specialised auction house features once again exclusive collectibles from all areas of history and military history. Munich, 5 September 2011 between 24 October and 10 November 2011, Hermann Historica ohg will hold its 63rd auction, as usual with a wide range of offerings and special catalogues. On the premises of the Linprunstraße in Munich, the approximately 3,500 objects will be offered for bidding - among them antiquities, arms and armour, works of art, hunting collectibles, orders and militaria. Arms and armour, works of art The ancient weapons catalogue this autumn comprises extraordinary objects: Particularly striking is the great number of extremely rare and well-preserved medieval edged weapons, ranging from splendid early Northern European splendid Viking sword with a fine silver-inlaid pommel from the 9th/10th century, offered at a starting price of 20,000 Euros, and a knight s hand-anda-half sword, which dating from the second half of the 14th century, introduced at 5,000 Euros, to an Austrian two-handed sword with flamberge blade dated 1590, up for sale starting at 13,000 Euros. Beyond that, an outstandingly beautiful finely chiselled Milanese rapier by Daniele da Serravalle, dating from circa 1560, is offered for bidding starting at 3,500 Euros.
Once again, the offerings among the exceptional and rare armour collectibles are very diverse: A burgonet from Innsbruck, dating from about 1525, with finely etched floral decorations and original linen lining impresses due to its fine state of preservation, which explains the corresponding starting price of 10,000 Euros. For at least the same amount lot No. 2249 can be won: The beautifully shaped German chamfron from the mid-16 th century features a strongly embossed front plate with a central ridge, remnants of leather lining and a striking age patina. Equally rare is an etched circular shield with original inner lining, from France or Italy, dating from circa 1600. While the craftsmanship of the shield is extraordinary, it must be referred to as sensational that the sensitive goatskin liner has been preserved as a whole and without damage throughout the centuries. This untouched item of high quality is introduced at 6,000 Euros. A very artistic kind of metal-working can be found in a world-famous Michel Mann casket. The present piece is signed, made from firegilded brass and engraved with figures wearing the civil costume of the late Renaissance. Equally beautiful and highly sought-after are the following finely worked and decorated objects from Nuremberg: A casket dating from circa 1610 is offered for bidding at 6,500 Euros, whereas a Flemish armillary sphere with an ecliptic ring, dating from the 18 th century, is expected to fetch at least 12,000 Euros. By means of astronomical devices, in this case a whole metal construction made of brass, the movement of the orbs is represented. A splendid Renaissance cabinet of high quality, comparable to the famous piece by Wrangel, is up for sale at a starting price of at least 15,000 Euros. The body is decorated with elaborate marquetry of exotic woods and was probably made in Augsburg in the second half of the 16 th century. Collection of edged weapons On 26 October, a collection of edged weapons including swords, rapiers and daggers are offered, displaying an abundance and quality unseen for decades. The exclusive collection was assembled through several centuries by a Spanish Ducal family. During the Civil War the collection was safely stored abroad, which is why it was completely preserved. 58 of the exceptionally finely chiselled iron works are up for sale for the audience among the pieces offered are unique items such as a German rapier with a gilded hilt dating from circa 1580, can be won for at least 16,000 Euros; a Spanish, unusually beautifully chiselled cup-hilt rapier dating from
around 1650, with an iron cup-guard chiselled with delicate floral openwork and engravings for at least 8,000 Euros, or an Italian sword with a chiselled iron hilt from 1560/70 at a starting price of 9,000 Euros. Orient and Asia Another promising section is the chapter of the oriental weapons, the countries of provenance ranging from the Ottoman Empire to India and China. A sensation is the finely crafted presentation sabre in Ottoman-European style, a gift from the Turkish sultan Mahmud II (1785 1839) to King Otto I of Greece (1815 1867). This unique weapon, expensively and elaborately worked with fire-gilding, silver inlays and ivory grip, is offered at a starting price of 30,000 Euros. Another important piece is an Ottoman gold-inlaid kandshar from the 16 th century with an octagonal nephrite grip dating from the 18 th century. The blade displays gold-inlaid ornamental foliage and strikingly exquisite decoration. It is introduced at 4,000 Euros. Two further extraordinarily beautiful edged weapons are up for sale for 12,000 Euros each. A piece comparable to lot No. 2185, an Ottoman kilij set with corals and turquoises, dating from the 19th century, was sold for 44,000 Euros at Hermann Historica a few years ago. Expert craftsmanship is also displayed by a Burmese gold-mounted ceremonial dha from the 19 th century with openwork ivory grip and scabbard. Antiquities Among the antiquities, selected pieces of jewellery from various times and regions are particularly stunning. A rare, valuable and important item is a Roman gold ring of a high-ranking officer of the Legio XI from the 2 nd /3 rd century AD, offered for bidding at a starting price of 10,000 Euros. On the upper side of the heavy ring, a cameo of yellowish layered agate framed by filigree beads is inserted. The cameo is decorated with the incised inscription LEG XI CL PF for the honorary name Claudia Pia Fidelis (dutiful and faithful) which the legion was awarded by Emperor Claudius. A further beautiful piece is the somewhat later golden decorative bracteate, Northern Germanic from the 5 th /6 th century, with a representation of Odin on horseback, up for sale for at least 16,500 Euros. Bidding for lot No. 1983, a very rare and unusually beautiful Northern European Thor s hammer from the 10 th century, will begin at 7,500 Euros.
The fact that precious metals were not only used for jewellery is underlined by an exceedingly high-quality officer s belt made from massive silver. Bidding for this Roman piece from the second millennium with its good state of preservation and beautiful patina will begin at 6,000 Euros. Another impressive object due to its completeness and excellent condition is a Roman legionnaire s helmet of the type Montefortino/ Buggenum with cheek-pieces from the first century AD. It can be won for at least 28,000 Euros. Equally rare is a Central European Bronze Age sword of the type Spatzenhausen, dating from about 1500 1400 BC. Since most swords were broken as funerary goods there are only two further examples which remained undamaged. This item will realise at least 6,000 Euros. Militaria The section of militaria also comprises the most interesting objects. In the anniversary year of King Ludwig II (1845 1886) there is of course plenty of memorabilia from the Bavarian royal family, such as a diamond-set King Ludwig II ring, which was a present to a renowned Munich citizen the ring is offered for bidding at 5,000 Euros. A beautifully worked bracelet in the shape of a snake, set with diamonds, was given to Ludwig s II mother, Queen Marie, by her newly-wed niece Elisabeth, Empress of Austria. This splendid partly-enamelled item is introduced at 10,000 Euros. A starting price of 15,000 Euros has been decided on for a very early golden repeater watch with chain and case, dating from circa 1820/30, from the possessions of King Maximilian II (1811 1864). The watch is proven to have been inherited by Ludwig II and to have been worn by him. For at least 10,000 Euros two Russian objects can be won. Very rare and of museum quality, the important porcelain lithophane was probably manufactured in the Imperial Porcelain Factory St. Petersburg in about 1840. At the same starting price an embroidered Breast Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky will be introduced. Highly sought-after is also representative military headgear: A striking ensemble of an officer s fur busby and a parade attila for a lieutenant of the Brunswick Hussar Regiment is offered at 7,500 Euros; a very rare opulent helmet M 1852 of the Bavarian Hartschiere Life Guards is up for sale at 8,000 Euros, and the personal admiral s cap of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este is expected to fetch at least 4,500 Euros.
Fine antique and modern firearms The offerings in the section of high-quality antique firearms are once again very exclusive, ranging from excellent flintlock pistols, such as the rare finely crafted flintlock pistols from Brescia made by Pietro Fiorentini around 1730, introduced at 8,000 Euros; a pair of flintlock pistols from Liège with chiselled gold-plated fittings from circa 1760 for at least 9,500 Euros; and a pair of cased target pistols made by Devisme in Paris in about 1850, at a starting price of 8,800 Euros; to a fantastic wheel-lock puffer with a carved walnut stock, Brunswick or Dresden around 1570/80, for at least 12,500 Euros. Remarkable is also a pair of first-class miquelet flintlock pistols, lavishly decorated with engraved floral silver inlays and mascarons from the workshop of Pasquale Feo in Naples, 18 th century, which can be won for at least 6,000 Euros. Top items can also be found among the firearms with modern action: rarities such as a Mauser pistol C 96 from the 1896 preseries in almost mint condition with a starting price of 12,000 Euros or a Bittner pistol M 1893, up for sale at 5,500 Euros. This repeating pistol was constructed by the proprietor of the gun factory of the same name in Weipert/Bohemia, Gustav Bittner. Since the pistol wasn t an economic success it was only manufactured in small numbers and is therefore now exceedingly rare. All mentioned hammer prices are net prices and do not include the obligatory premium of 23 percent. The pre-sale viewing takes place from 17 th to 23 rd October on the premises of Hermann Historica ohg, Munich. May be copied without charge Permission, additional information and photographic materials may be obtained from: Maria Burdick Communication and Marketing Elvirastraße 16 D-80636 München Tel.: +49 (0) 89-18 14 15 Fax: +49 (0) 89-18 14 49 E-Mail: m.burdick@burdick.de
About Hermann Historica Hermann Historica OHG is one of the leading world auction house in the special areas of : antique arms and armour, hunting, antiquities, medals and orders, as well as historical objects and military history. Founded nearly 50 years ago by Count Erich Klenau von Klenova, Baron von Janowitz in Nuremberg as an auction house for coins, orders, medals, and other military objects were offered right from the beginning. At the beginning of the seventies, offerings were expanded to include antique weapons. On the basis of the comprehensive scope of the objects offered and the carefully researched and high quality production of the special catalogues, those offerings were an immediate and enthusiastic success with international collectors and museums. In 1982, the present owners changed the name of the auction house to Hermann Historica OHG, and carry out at least two auctions yearly for more than 25,000 clients throughout the entire world. The numerous objects which were formerly possessions of great noble families, in particular those from the Austrian and German Imperial houses, have attracted great international interest, especially when choice collections such as the famous hunting treasures from Castle Fuschl at Salzburg, the historical technical museum in Nümbrecht and the "Antique Weapon Collection" of the world renowned Berlin collector, Axel Guttmann, are broken up and offered at auction. www.hermann-historica.com All Photos: Hermann Historica ohg 2011 HH LotNo 1530 Roman Helmet Typ Montefortino/Buggenum 1st century AD HH LotNo 1556 A Roman officer's gold ring, 2nd/3rd century A.D. HH LotNo 1980 A North Germanic gold bracteate, 5th/6th century A.D. HH LotNo 2254 Etched burgonet, Innsbruck 1525 HH LotNo 2252 A French or Italian etched circular shield with original lining circa 1600 HH LotNo 2139 A Southern German Renaissance cabinet with decorative marqueterie, probably Augsburg, 2nd half of the 16th century
HH LotNo-2298 A Northern European Viking sword 9th/10th century HH Autumn Auction 2011 Collection of 58 swords and daggers from the property of a noble Spanish family HH LotNo 2171 King Otto I of Greece A presentation saber from the Turkish Sultan Mahmud II HH LotNo 2468 King Maximilian II (1811-1864) - King Ludwig II (1845-1886) a golden repeater watch with watch chain and case, circa 1820/30 HH LotNo 2433 A significant Russian porcelain lithophane of Czar Nicholas I and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna Russia, around 1840 HH LotNo 2509 An officerïs busby and parade attila of a lieutenant of the Brunswick Hussar Regiment Nr. 17