MUNICH.- An exceptional encyclopedia on the development of arms and armours from the Early Middle Ages until the Early Modern Age is going to be put up for auction with this world's largest private collection of antique arms offered by Hermann Historica oHG, Munich.

Munich, September 2012 - The private museum of the famous Berlin sculptor, philanthropist and former construction mogul Karsten Klingbeil is going to be offered in several parts. The first auction took place in December 2011 in cooperation with Pierre Bergé & Associés in Brussels. Now another 116 positions of the collection, such as five complete armours as well as a selection of high-quality armour parts, helmets as well as edged and hafted weapons and firearms are going to be offered at the autumn auction of Hermann Historica, which is going to take place at the head office in Munich from 14 to 23 October 2012.

Once again, this date provides the opportunity to buy significant objects that have been collected over fifty years with a lot of passion, commitment and expertise to compile this sensational collection. 40 complete suits of armour ranging in date from the 15th to the 17th century, 120 helmets as well as hafted weapons, swords, daggers, shields and luxurious antique firearms that cover the historical span of 13 centuries formed the core of the collection. Since the legendary Hever Castle auction at Sotheby's, London, in 1983, this is going to be the most important private collection of antique arms and armours brought to the market.

The illustrious names of the primary owners and those of the prominent previous owners from the 20th century alone provide substantial material of historical interest. Among others the pieces of the collection have been manufactured for the armouries of famous characters such as the Electors of Saxony, the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, and members of the powerful Roman noble family Borghese. Equally notable are the names of the collectors from whom Karsten Klingbeil acquired the armours and antique arms. No less than the publisher and media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, Lord Astor of Hever Castle and the Rutherfurd Stuyvesant Collection can be found among them.

Thus for an extremely rare South German tournament armour from circa 1580 – 90 the provenance of the Rutherfurd Styvesant Collection is proven. Whereas other forms of armour had been designed to protect the bearer and, at the same time, ensure mobility and convenience, tournament armours were built for a far more sturdy purpose. Their only function was the utmost protection for the participants of the jousting – without considering a wide field of vision, weight or mobility. Those sophisticated armourers' works could weigh up to forty kilograms, i.e. more than one and a half times more than a war armour. The available three-quarter armour has been equipped with reinforcing plates for the Italian tilt. With the matching one-piece close helmet in Augsburg style it is a perfect representative of this extremely rare type of armour. This rarity has its price, thus the starting price amounts to 100,000 Euros.

A rare piece of evidence for an Italian youth armour also dates from the end of the 16th century. For a long time it has been common within noble circles to start training children at an early age the arts of war, and accustom them to the weigh of an armour. However, youth armours are far more rarely preserved than exemplars for adults, a fact that makes this lot, for which at least 25,000 Euros have to be paid, a very special one.

An impressive Italian sallet, also called barbute and the South European version of the bascinet, from 1460 was estimated at 60,000 Euros. This one-piece skull with large face opening is immediately reminiscent of the form and character of the ancient Corinthian and Illyrian bronze helmets. As those helmets provided excellent protection without considerably obstructing breathing and vision, and furthermore they completely corresponded with the predominant fashion of antiquity, they prevailed through the Italian cultural sphere at their time.

Of famous, partially princely provenance are the edged weapons from the Karsten Klingbeil Collection offered for bidding. Among them two rapiers and one left-hand dagger from the Palace Life Guard of the Electors of Saxony from the 16th century, which impress with rarity and, beside that, finest workmanship. They have been estimated at 15,000, 18,000 and 7,000 Euros. Furthermore very beautiful an important etched halberd from the Life Guard of Emperor Ferdinand I, dated 1563 that is going to be called up for auction for 10,000 Euros. Also tempting regarding quality and condition are the antique firearms, such as a precious pair of wheellock “Puffers” completely covered with bone inlays and tendril decorations in the style of Klaus Hirt from the Saxon Wasungen, which is going to be offered for bidding starting at 70,000 Euros.

Hermann Historica oHG is one of the world's leading auction houses in the special areas of antique arms and armour, antiquities, orders, historical objects and militaria as well as hunting collectibles. Thus once again this autumn besides the objects from the Karsten Klingbeil Collection, lots from all parts of the world and numerous epochs are going to be offered.


All prices are net prices and are to be understood plus 23 percent surcharge. The auction will take place October 14 on the premises of Hermann Historica oHG.