D-185 Framed Ritterkreuz
Urkunde (Knight’s Cross Certificate) for Kriegsmarine Oberleutnant zur See
(Lieutenant) Götz Freiherr von Mirbach Schnellboot (E-Boat) Officer
An extremely scarce document given that it is for a Naval Officer,
and an E-Boat man in particular. Knight’s Cross documents are among the
most impressive collectibles from the Third Reich, being a personal, superbly
crafted piece of art befitting the skill and valor of the awardee, and one which
you can research if desired. These documents are really spectacular for display,
and at the same time are a fine piece of the calligraphic art in their own
right, rendered by a single woman who painstakingly hand crafted each document
(Frieda Thiersch; she produced all of the award certificates at this level, and
was perhaps the most significant German book binder of the 20th century, owning
her own bindary in Bremen). This Knight’s Cross document for von Mirbach is in
superb condition, with the vellum quite clean and hardly wrinkled, and with all
of the inks as clear and intense as the day Frau Thiersch put them to paper, or
in this case, to vellum; the gold letters gleam - with the gold leaf thick
enough to actually show a little relief (height above the page). At the time of
his award, von Mirbach was assigned to the 1st Schnellbootsflotilla (1st E-Boat
flotilla i.e. PT-boat), using his Schnellboot (PT boat) to attack enemy
shipping in the English Channel, sinking a British destroyer and three armed
merchant vessels among others. His younger cousin, Oberleutnant Emmerich von
Mirbach, interestingly enough served as the Engineering Officer on U-595 (sunk,
but he survived, captured by the US Navy). Götz Freiherr von Mirbach was later
promoted to Kapitänleutnant and served as Commander, 9.
Schnellbootflotille (9th E-Boot Flotilla). He also won the oak leaves to add to
his Knight’s Cross (as the 500th recipient of the award) and also received (as
only 1 of 8 recipients) the E-Boot badge with Diamonds. His superb Knight’s
Cross document comes in the integral, standard brick red, leather-wrapped folder
measuring about 17.75” high by 14” wide, handsomely embossed at the front
center with the vertical winged German national eagle in gold leaf ink. The
folder is in fine condition with only a few small scuffs and a little abrasion
wear to the two right side corners. On the interior, the gold pinstriping around
the edge of the inner covers is in nice condition. Frieda Thiersch’s name
appears in gold ink along the bottom edge on the inner back cover. The inset
panels on the inside of front and back covers are present, and evenly yellowed.
The red elastic string that holds the vellum to the folder crease along the
central fold line is present. This particular document does not have the Hitler
signature. Unsigned documents are common, as many of these never reached
Hitler's desk. Some biographical research information in English
accompanies this document - something to start with if you wish to
research further. A truly magnificent award document that you will likely
treasure forever. Superb artifact.
$15,225.00
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Item D-185
