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Franz von Papen

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Franz von Papen

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Auction Date:2010 Apr 14 @ 10:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
German soldier and politician; he served as vice chancellor of Germany under Hitler and was later acquitted of major war crimes. TLS signed “Captain F. von Papen,” two pages (the first is 8.5 x 11, the second has been trimmed to 8.5 x 7), April 29, 1915. Letter to journalist William Conant Church condemning a story which ran in the journal accusing officers of the Austro-Hungarian army of living the good life while their troops suffered during the Siege of Przemysi. In part: “The Army and Navy Journal contains…a reprint of a statement made by an English War Correspondent to the effect that the officers of the garrison of Przemysi shamefully neglected their duties and played cards and billiards instead of sharing the hardships of their men. I think I am justified in expressing my surprise that the Army and Navy journal which as a rule deals with facts only, has deviated so far from its usual course as to give credence to, and indirectly express its belief in the truth of, the statements of one of the many war correspondents who for the last nine months have been engaged in the contemptible work of scattering lies and malicious inventions throughout the world. A careful perusal of the daily press should have convinced the Editor that the man who is quoted is one of the worst offenders in this respect…In the absence of my Colleague of the Austro-Hungarian Army, I consider it my duty to protest most emphatically against this infamous and utterly inexcusable slander. It is a wanton insult to as brave and efficient a corps of officers as ever led an army…which has proven its valor in the field and should be protected against attacks of this kind.” In good to very good condition, with trimmed lower blank portion of second page as noted, intersecting folds, a couple lightly affecting signature, scattered moderate creasing and mild toning, staple holes and accompanying tears to top left, and erased pencil notations and underlined text on first page.

The 1914 Siege of Przemysi during World War I was a crushing defeat for Austria-Hungary, and the perceived “slander” that enlisted men bore the brunt of the 133-day siege clearly drew von Papen’s wrath. Perhaps it would have been wise for von Papen not to have drawn attention to himself, as the a military attaché to the German ambassador in the United States was performing double duty as a saboteur. He was recalled to Germany in December 1915 shortly after it was revealed he was involved in a plan to destroy U.S. railroad lines. The following year, he was indicted for plotting to blow up Canada's Welland Canal, which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. The charges were dropped when the future Nazi became vice chancellor of Germany. Intriguing lashing from a man who would “consider it my duty” to stand up for his countrymen—and conduct acts of terrorism if ordered to do. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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