Albert Speer | NSDAP Armband | Deputy Reichsleiter | Provenance

History In The Hand

As many are aware, Albert Speer was Hitler's architect, and later in the war, Hitler's Minister of Armaments. Captured by American troops in 1945, he was later interned at the Augsburg Detention Centre under the command of US Major, Harold W.Zurn. Apparently Zurn acquired various artifacts belonging to Speer, including this Deputy Reichsleiter / Ministers armband.

NSDAP armband for the rank of Deputy Reichsleiter (Leiter Eines Ober-Amtes). The multi-sewn,  armband, with a black swastika edged in gold, on a white, gold-edged roundel. Upper and lower golden oakleaves woven onto a red wool field, with upper and lower yellow piping. Sewn ends. An inked designation to the inside, 'Dr.Albert Speer' (probably written in by Zurn).

Condition report: Close to mint condition. Storage age only. The armband free from damage. 

Notes: Although this armband would fall in with Speer's position as Minister, most photographs show him wearing the standard NSDAP wool armband with the ORG Todt designation above. It may have been that he never actually wore this armband, but gave it to Zurn as a souvenir in 1945/46.

Provenance | Attribution: Various US newspaper articles from 1981 about Speer's death. A cutting of a US newspaper feature from 1973 about Speer possibly building a house for himself in Spain. This has the inked dedication, 'This band was given to Jesse Peters by Col.Harold Zurn'. This cutting with dedication pinned to the inside of the armband. A postcard dated 1946 sent by Harold Zurn as Major FA, Military Government Officer, sent to the US lawyer, Jesse Peters in Wiscontin. A piece od headed paper fpr Harold W.Zurn with his rank and position. Hand written note stating the Zurn had given the armband to Peters.