MUNICH.- In a two-day auction on 14 and 15 March, Hermann Historica GmbH is launching its auction year 2019 with a bang: three outstanding special catalogues are coming under the hammer. Alongside the most sumptuous artefacts of royal and imperial provenance, a vast estate from the renowned von Leonrod family and a selection of noteworthy collectors' items from five centuries of gunmaking are being offered for sale.

Objects of royal and imperial provenance
Carefully chosen officer's gifts, some extremely valuable, were a testament to the deep bonds that developed among the regiments and their superiors. A particularly imposing, precious and magnificent gift of honour in outstanding jeweller's quality was presented to Prince Heinrich of Prussia (1862 – 1929) by the officers and officials of the 1st Geschwader to mark his departure as commander. Having held this position from 1900 to 1903, the brother of the German Kaiser was given a ceremonial send-off with a fabulous model of his flagship, SMS Kaiser Friedrich III, which was made of solid silver at a scale of 1:100. Every last detail of the vessel was faithfully reproduced in this precious metal model by the silversmith M. Fadderjahn of Berlin. A worthy keepsake for the Kaiser's brother, the stunning work measures a remarkable 125 by 20 centimetres, stands 54.5 centimetres tall and boasts incredible attention to detail. All elements are replicas of the original, from the guns with their operating controls to the anchors on dainty woven chains, the ship's boats with their inboard rudders or the ensign flying on the mast to signal the presence of Prince Henry as admiral of the imperial navy, right through to the bust of the eponymous Kaiser Friedrich III in gilt silver, as the figurehead on the bow. With an asking price of 200,000 euros, the vessel is the uncontested pièce de résistance of the 78th auction and the highlight of the catalogue, "Selected collectors' items of royal and imperial provenance", comprising 25 exquisite objects.

The catalogue is a veritable treasure trove of fabulous mementos from European and non-European ruling houses, all made with superb craftsmanship. Among them is an extremely elaborate deluxe rifle, inlaid in silver and mother-of-pearl, the wooden stock carved in half relief, that originally belonged to Kaiser Ferdinand III of Austria (1608 – 1657). Produced circa 1650 in the Viennese workshop of the 'master of the animal-head scroll', it is now valued at 50,000 euros. Buyers will certainly also be interested in a no less skilfully designed, deluxe percussion double rifle by the supremely talented, celebrated Prague gunmaker, Anton Vinzent Lebeda (1797 – 1857), which was the final piece of a large commission to be delivered to none other than Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria (1830 – 1916). Bids from 48,000 euros are welcome for the chiselled and gold-inlaid rifle.

An illustrious estate – Freiherrn von Leonrod
Throughout history, magnificent orders, documents and decorations have been awarded by regents and commanders to express their profound appreciation of services rendered or victories attained, but also to mark extreme suffering. It is a rare stroke of luck that these records, documenting the history of one family, have been preserved in their estate for decades, or centuries even. That they are now being sold as a group at one auction is an event of such singularity that it may hardly be credited.

Hermann Historica was granted the enormous honour of being permitted to offer a large estate from the significant von Leonrod dynasty, whose fortunes are inextricably linked with the history of Bavaria. Whole generations of eminently honourable careers in the military, the civil service and the clergy can be traced in this unrivalled collection of documents, decorations and orders, as well as personal photographs, uniforms and helmets from the family archive. Bids are now invited for a plethora of rarities from a special catalogue with approximately 180 lots, of which around 100 objects, including 15 Grand Crosses, are the personal possessions of the Lord Chamberlain to the last Bavarian King, Wilhelm Freiherr von Leonrod (1865 – 1943).

The significance, dedicated service and achievements of the noble von Leonrod family in state and society are also recorded in unique fashion, like that of Leopold Freiherr von Leonrod (1829 – 1905), the Bavarian Minister of Justice of many years' standing, who introduced the German Civil Code and the land registry system, including the establishment of land registry offices, throughout the federal state, or Ludwig Freiherr von Leonrod (1906 – 1944), who fought in the resistance against Hitler, in addition to the achievements of female members of the family. The group includes a number of exceptionally rare awards that would assuredly grace any museum collection, such as the Grand Cross set with Diamonds and Swords on Ring in gold of the Bulgarian Order of St. Alexander from the reign of Tsar Ferdinand I (1861 – 1948), which was awarded to Ludwig's father, Wilhelm Freiherr von Leonrod. At this point in time, no comparable group of orders is known to exist in terms of exquisite workmanship and content. Although estimated at 10,000 euros, this price is certain to be exceeded. Wrought in outstanding jeweller's quality, the Grand Cross set of the Bavarian Merit Order of St. Michael in its presentation case and the Grand Cross set of the Order of the Württemberg Crown are sure of a warm reception. Both decorations were also awarded to Wilhelm Freiherr von Leonrod and have a catalogue price of 8,500 euros each.

Fine antique and modern firearms
The formidable gems in this section will delight connoisseurs of antique firearms. A genuine showstopper, a signed flintlock double turnover rifle from the Salzburg workshop of Cornelius Klett, whose works are sought after by prestigious collectors, is creating a flurry of excitement. Produced circa 1660, the turnover is surprisingly light, weighing just 2.48 kg, features fine engraving with decorative tendrils on the locks and is now open to bids from 25,000 euros. Of earlier date, a wheellock puffer made by Zacharias Herold of Dresden for the Saxon Electorate Palace Life Guard presents a completely different aesthetic. Dated 1587, the premium quality officer's issue is highly unusual as a mere twelve puffers of the same type are known to exist. The weapon is lavishly chiselled and partially gilt, the wooden full stock is covered in engraved and blackened bone inlays, while the silver appliqués are embellished with etched tendrils. This extraordinary piece is expected to fetch at least 18,000 euros. Also attracting its fair share of attention is a solid metal flintlock shotgun by Johann Glett of Passau, a descendent of the gunmaking dynasty of Glett or Klett, originally from Suhl. Made in 1680/90, the weapon has a scene with hunters and hounds engraved on the lock, is signed in several places and the iron trigger guard is chiselled with acanthus ornaments. Its new owner will have to part with a minimum of 17,000 euros.

Please note: all prices quoted are net prices and do not include the 25% premium.

In 2019, Hermann Historica will hold live auctions in the months of March, May, October and December, as well as at least three online auctions.