Germany, Wehrmacht. A Commemorative Cigar Box, with Signed Correspondence, from Ferdinand Schörner to Hasso von Manteuffel

(Gedenk-Zigarrenkiste mit Schriftverkehr). A superb commemorative cigar box, constructed of a silver frame finished with a faint gilt tinge, the lid featuring a hollow void with a transparent celluloid cover, overlaying a hand-illustrated depiction of a Panzer III, the base similarly featuring a hollow void with a lacquered wooden insert, the front bearing an expertly-engraved dedication of “HERRN HASSO VON MANTEUFFEL - GEN. D. PZ. TR. A. D. ZUM 70. LEBENSJAHR, IN DANKBARKEIT UND ALTER KAMERADSCHAFTLICHER VERBUNDENHEIT” (“MR. HASSO VON MANTEUFFEL - GENERAL OF PANZER TROOPS, IN THE 70TH YEAR OF HIS LIFE, IN GRATITUDE AND OLD COMRADESHIP”, dated “MÜNCHEN, 14. JANUAR 1967”, and featuring the etched cursive signature of Generalfeldmarschall Ferdinand Schörner, the lid opening with a segmented hinge to reveal a wood lined interior featuring a removable central divider, with with one side retaining 20 period cigars retaining original wrappers featuring the images of notable political and cultural figures, the base stamped with a hallmark, silver content number of “925”, an additional mark of “STERLING”, and a maker’s mark of “TH. HEIDEN” for the noted firm of Theodor Heiden, Munich, measuring 26 cm (w) x 20 cm (l) x 4.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor scratching to the lid insert and a patina throughout the silver base which affords the case a pleasing distressed appearance, a fantastic commemorative item gifted between two noted Wehrmacht Generals in extremely fine condition.

Accompanying the case is a group of correspondence, consisting of three typewritten letters addressed to von Manteuffel from Schörner, each featuring brief content concerning the latter’s trial and imprisonment on manslaughter charges (owing to the execution of deserters during the Second World War) after his patriation to West Germany following incarceration for war crimes in both the Soviet Union and East Germany and prior to his release on 4 August 1960 (ironically timed with von Manteuffel’s own 18 month prison sentence, handed down on 21 August 1959, for identical charges), each closing with Schörner’s handwritten signature, also accompanied by three letters from Schörner’s daughter, Anneliese, and a envelope cut-off bearing Schörner’s letterhead, a fascinating and historically-significant supplement to war crimes trials of two noted wartime German commanders in extremely fine condition.