Stapleton/Murtland Collection of Knights Cross Recipients

The Knights Cross was Germany’s equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor and the U.K. Victoria Cross. There were several grades of the Knights Cross. First is the Knights Cross, next is Knights Cross with Oakleaves, next is Knights Cross with Oakleaves and Swords, next is Knights Cross with Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds, next is Knights Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds (awarded only one time to Hans Ulrich Rudel) and finally the Grand Cross of the Knights Cross (awarded only one time to Hermann Göring - not pictured)

There were 7,366 Knights Crosses awarded, 890 Oakleaves, 160 Swords, and 27 Diamonds plus the one Golden Oakleaves and the one Grand Cross.

This collection includes Knights Cross recipient signed photos from a collection my sister and I just acquired from a German estate. There are over 900 signed photos in this collection. In addition, there are over 750 letters, documents, and additional unsigned photos the recipients sent the collector.

Most of these photos are postwar signed. If they are warsigned, it will be noted in the description.

The buyer will determine the pricing. All will be ultimately posted on eBay. The photos come with the album page the collector mounted them on, but the photos will be removed from those pages before shipping so I can make a high resolution scan. I will then replace the original photo. Where more than one photo is on an album page, a photo copy of the album page will be included.

The vast majority of the recipients are now deceased.

The collector mounted this collection on heavy paper measuring about 9.5" x 12" with each photo in a poly holder. Initially I started removing the photos from the poly holder to scan them, but that was extremely time consuming and it was difficult to get the photos back in place for storage, so I started scanning through the poly bag. If you want a clearer photo, email me through eBay and I will remove the photo for scanning. The collector’s album pages have additional information on them so either the original or a copy will be included with purchase - along with any other material the signer sent.

My sister and I went together and acquired this huge collection of signed photos of WWII German Knights Cross recipients. Because of the extremely high cost, I needed a partner. As noted, there are over 900 signed photos - most postcard size - and over 700 envelopes and letters, documents, additional unsigned photos, etc. were also included. Stamps have been removed from most of the envelopes. I have found that it will take me a huge amount of time to scan and create a catalog all of these, so what I plan to do is to scan and post a few new items on eBay each week. All items will start at approximately 50% of their value. If you are interested in a specific item, let me know and I will put it at the front of the list of the ones I am scanning. Want lists are solicited and if the item(s) is/are available, it will be posted on eBay on the Sunday after your request is received. These two collections are not available for offline purchase. All will ultimately be offered on eBay. This collection came from the estate of a German family and most of the signed photos appear to be postwar signed from about 30 years ago. If a letter, documents, extra photos, and/or envelope is available, they will be included. Some include extra photos that are unsigned and military documentation. Many also are signed on the back and have additional notes. Included are Knights Cross, Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds recipients. It is the finest collection of postwar signed photos I have ever seen.

Please note that many of the scans will have reflections. The collector put each photo in a poly holder and affixed the poly holder to his album page with tape. It is very time consuming to cut the poly holder off the album page without damaging the photo, so for the catalog I am going to scan them in the poly holders.

This is truly a mother lode of Knights Cross recipients. Many I have never seen before. This is a wonderful opportunity to pick up many lesser known recipients in your area of interest.

I will be posting at least 5 to 10 of these items each week. They will be posted in alphabetical order unless there is a request to post specific items.

For a complete list of the items in this collection, click here.

All on this collection of 127 Knights Cross recipient signed photos also came from a single collection my partner acquired from the estate of a German collector. All of these photos are nicely mounted on custom pages that are printed in German. The pages measure about 11 1/2" x 8 1/4" and are in special punched poly holders that are not a standard U.S. size. A few of the poly holders contain additional information, which will be included with the purchase. All photos are beautifully mounted using clear photo corners. On some the signature is on the back and some come with letters and/or envelopes or documents.

For a complete list of the items in this collection, click here.