Adolf Hitler Medallion # 2364
Adolf Hitler Medallion # 2364
This medallion is extremely rare to find, first example I have seen of this one with an inscription to the reverse. C-108 in the Colbert-Hyder book.
The front shows a bust of Hitler facing left with the surrounding inscription, "EIN VOLK / EIN REICH / EIN FäHRER". To the right of the bust are the well known artist's initials, "RK" for Richard Klein.
The reverse is inscribed, "GROSSDEUTSCHLAND 10. APRIL UND 4. DEZEMBER 1938".
Large size, 70mm. Struck in silver, marked "900" to the side. Weighs 134 grams or 4.7 ounces.
The original case is in excellent condition.
Richard Klein (1890"1967) was a German artist, known
mainly for his work as a favored artist of the NS regime. Klein
was director of the Munich School of Applied Arts and was one of Hitler'ss favorite
painters.
Klein was one
of the artists exhibited at the "Great German Art Exhibition" held at
the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 1937, meant as a contrast to the modern art
condemned by the NS Party as "Entartete Kunst". Klein's work at the exhibition included
plaques contributed from Adolf Hitler'ss private collection. The poster for the
exhibition, "The Awakening", was designed by Klein and also
used as the front cover for the Nazi art review Art in the Third Reich.
Klein was also
the designer of Nazi decorations including the Sudentenland Medal, Anschluss, and Memel Medal, collectively known as the German Occupation Medals, plus the most awarded of all of the
Third Reich medals: the War Merit Cross Medal.