Latvia, First Republic. A Latvijas Vanagi (Latvian Hawks) Member’s Badge, With Documents, By O. Pērkons & A. Kucejevs

This is a lot of extremely well-preserved documents and photographs pertaining to Latvian exiles and United States Army forces in immediate post-Second War Germany. It includes:

A large black and white photograph depicting a biplane, bearing mobile swastika insignias on its upper wings, crashed in a trench. The photograph is unmarked and measures 142 mm (w) x 93 mm (h). Accompanied by four smaller black and white photographs depicting Latvian airmen in uniform, along with biplanes bearing mobile swastika insignias. Each of these photos measures 135 mm (w) x 85 mm (h) and features a handwritten inscription in Latvian, along with a date of 21 July 1929. In near extremely fine condition.

A hand-written card, featuring richly-detailed Latvian designs, addressed to American occupation authorities in postwar Germany, acknowledging gratitude for accommodation of Latvian exiles stranded in Schwäbisch Hall following the collapse of the Third Reich. Constructed of heavy paper, it measures 175 mm (w) x 255 mm (h) and is dated 4 July 1945. In extremely fine condition.

A commemorative pamphlet of “I4 C3” Detachment at Dolan Barracks, Schwäbisch Hall, recognizing the company’s three month billeting in the town. The interior contains a ballad detailing the company’s actions from April 1945 until the postwar occupation. Measuring 149 mm (w) x 210 mm (h) as folded. In extremely fine condition.

A badge, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, screwback-style pin on reverse, obverse with central leftward-facing eagle on top of yellow enameled sun, over top of dual red and white enameled Latvian flags and raised initials of “LV” (“Latvijas Vanagi”), inscribed with member number “6526” on reverse, maker marked “O. Pērkons A. Kucejevs, Rīga” on reverse of screwback, in very fine condition.