Germany, Imperial. A 1917 Tribute Propeller Gifted to Alfred Keller for Receipt of the Pour le Mérite

(Gedenkpropeller). A unique commemorative memento gifted to then-Hauptmann Alfred Keller, consisting of a lacquered dark brown wood propeller, the obverse riveted with a central brass disc bearing a hand-painted depiction of the Pour le Mérite, circumscribed by a dedication of “HPTM. ALFRED KELLER / 4. DEZ. 1917”, the reverse affixed with a magnetic metal suspension loop, unmarked, measuring 60 cm (w) x 8 cm (h), demonstrating a patina to the disc which has partially obscured the dedication, in addition to minor scratches and chips to the wooden base, a superb example of wartime art likely gifted to Keller for receiving the Pour le Mérite by fellow servicemen in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Alfred Keller was born on September 19, 1882, in Bochum, Westphalia, and began his military career in 1902 after joining the Prussian Army as a cadet. During World War I, he transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte and rapidly distinguished himself as a pioneering figure in night bombing tactics. Serving as commander of Bombengeschwader der Obersten Heeresleitung (Bogohl 1), Keller organized the first German night raids on Dunkirk and Paris, earning the Pour le Mérite on December 4, 1917.His earlier decorations included the 1914 Iron Cross in both II and I Classes, as well as the Knight’s Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords, the Bavarian Military Merit Order IV Class with Crown and Swords, and the Hessian Bravery Medal.

In the interwar years and into World War II, Keller rose through the Luftwaffe's ranks. He commanded IV. Fliegerkorps from October 3, 1939 to August 19, 1940, and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on June 24, 1940, as commanding General of IV. Fliegerkorps. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Generaloberst and appointed commander of Luftflotte 1, playing a key role on the Eastern Front until June 1943. Following his active military service, he served as Korpsführer of the National Socialist Flyers Corps (NSFK) until Germany’s surrender in May 1945, and was held as a prisoner of war in British custody until 1947. Keller died on 11 February 1974 in West Berlin.