CONDOR LEGION GROUPING

Page 3 of 6 Total Pages

Shown above are front and reverse photographs of the three (3) stick pins and one (1) lapel pin that are part of this lot. For reference, all four (4) of these items were each separately obtained over the years and, subsequently, did not come from the same source.

Despite this diverse origin, each of these stick pins shares a number of common characteristics, to include having a twisted pin and displaying a considerable amount of age. Unfortunately, the poor quality of this photo does not do appropriate justice to the patina and obvious age which these items all exhibit when physically viewed in person.

Shown separately to the RIGHT is the reverse side of the Condor Tank Badge stick pin. In viewing this item, please note that its actual color is not as gold as it appears due to there being too much light available during the taking of this photo, but is actually more silver colored with a heavy patina. In any event, in addition to its twisted pin and excellent detail, this item is also marked "800" in its center under the pin, which of course denotes it silver content.

The silver Condor Legion Badge with swords stick pin was personally given to me by a former WWII German soldier that I have had the honor to know for many years. As such, I will guarantee that it is completely genuine in all respects. Moreover, in many years of collecting, it is the only condor legion tank badge miniature or stick pin that I have ever seen.

I purchased the ESPANA stick pin in a small antique shop in the Azores in 1979 while serving with the U.S. Army in Europe in the 1970s. It is made out of a high quality enamel which has faded somewhat with age over the years but is still very presentable and worthy to be part of any Spanish Civil War related collection of items. As depicted in the photo, the ESPANA stick pin has a flat front and reverse surface.

Comparably, the ESPANA lapel pin has a beveled, concave front surface which tends to make the iron cross and swastika stand out more than on the flat stick pin version of this item. On a personal note, this piece was given to me as a present by a Spanish Army Officer who I had come to professionally know during his visit to a civilian company where I worked in 1983.

As an aside, many senior Spanish Army officers at the time still had a great deal of respect for the German WWII military effort, despite volumes of post war propaganda. Consequently, when it came out during our personal discussion on the telephone before his trip to the US that I collected German military items, he surprised me on his arrival in the U.S. by presenting me this item as a gift thinking it was something that I might like. As it turns out, he was right.

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