The Spring Auction of Hermann Historica – an unforgettable week

From the word go, there was a flurry of excitement. Lot number 1, an Ancient Egyptian receptacle dating from just before the first dynasty, and in immaculate condition to boot, was listed at 1,000 euros. However, within a few minutes, it had increased its catalogue price almost ten times over. The rare piece, which would take pride of place in any museum, finally sold for 9,750 euros.

The next tour-de-force in the antiquities section was a helmet of the third development stage, over 2,000 years old (lot number 16). The severe lines and clearly structured form of the Corinthian headgear – the epitome of Greek helmets – lent it a particularly formidable appearance that drew all eyes. Although estimated at 38,000 euros, this splendid example from the last third of the 6th or the early 5th century B.C. ultimately fetched 47,500 euros.

A bronze statue from China stood out in the chapter of Asian art. Bids from 1,900 euros had been invited for lot number 125, a 19th century figurine of the Taoist deity Shou Xing. Standing 52 cm tall, this decorative piece now ennobles a new collection for 9,750 euros.

The companion piece to the deity was a coral statue of the Virgin Mary from Trapani in Italy (lot number 278). Her naturalistic expression and the folds of her robes were wrought in detail. The elaborate carving had a reserve of 9,500 euros, yet changed hands for 11,875 euros.

One such was lot number 1153, a superb parade burgonet in the style of Negroli, whose magnificent parade armour components all'antica are now almost exclusively found in museum collections. Bids from 27,500 euros were welcome for the museum-grade piece from Milan, which had attracted a great deal of attention during the run-up to the sale. The unique, 19th century piece proved to be a triumph, duly fetching 34,375 euros.

Lot 1154, a 17th century suit of Lower German armour for the field in attractive, well-restored quality, turned out to be another highlight. With its open burgonet, cuisses and ridged gauntlets, the fine armour was sure to be snapped up for its asking price of 12,500 euros. Nonetheless, it coaxed an enthusiast into investing 16,875 euros.

Among the edged weapons, a particularly rare Viking sword from Scandinavia was worthy of special mention (lot number 1288, guide price 18,000 euros). The inlaid blade inscription "+ULFBERTH+" and silver-inlaid swastika ornaments were able to command their price and the sale was completed at 22,500 euros.

The most expensive prize of the day was one of the civil firearms. 

Moreover, the modern firearms section also sparked plenty of fierce bidding wars. The Heckler & Koch models were particularly sought after. This led to a more than eight-fold price increase in the case of lot 2318, a Heckler & Koch PSP. Despite its limit of 2,800 euros, the unusual collectible firearm from the pre-production series only closed at 23,750 euros. Even more astounding, a Heckler & Koch P7 PT8 in virtually mint condition eventually sold to a devotee for more than twenty-one times its limit. The rare firearm chalked up the sensational sum of 21,250 euros, its asking price of 1,000 euros notwithstanding.

Meanwhile, collectors were impatiently awaiting the announcement of lot number 2540. Even before the auction, written offers had been submitted for the Colt Mod. 1900 automatic pistol from the pre-production series. All the same, the new owner had to dig deep into his pocket for the serial number 2 model in beautiful condition with a highly polished finish. The "great-grandfather of the 1911 pistols" hammered at 60,000 euros, despite opening at 18,000 euros.

Well over 600 lots in the chapter of Orders and Military Collectibles until 1918 were on the agenda on Thursday, 11 May. In many cases, spirited bidding kept the audience on tenterhooks, while the Bulgarian collection sent audible gasps through the room. Apart from a few lots, all orders instituted under Bulgaria's most important rulers were sold, achieving enormous price increases.

One highlight, lot number 3246, came from the Russian tsarist empire. Although a pair of exceptionally rare shoulder boards belonging to Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich Romanov (1832 - 1909) had been valued at 14,500 euros, his personal badges in the rank of field marshal were ultimately acquired for 23,750 euros.

Next up, lot 3401 was a key document from German history. The important handwritten letter from Friedrich Engels to the social-democratic journalist Carl Hirsch had been estimated at 25,000 euros. He was replying to Hirsch's letter dated 16 March 1895, in which the communist was asked to edit four articles written by Hirsch. Penned on two small double sheets of notepaper, Engel's comments did not disappoint, selling for 36,250 euros.

Nonetheless, the undisputed climax of the day was the auction of a private collection of Bulgaria's highest orders. Spanning the reigns of three sovereigns – Prince Alexander I, Tsar Ferdinand I and Tsar Boris III – the insignia met with unprecedented favour in the saleroom and on the telephones and bidding platforms. Except for five lots, all 180 awards changed hands for gratifying margins.

Lot number 3456, the Military Order "For Bravery", a Cross 3rd Class, 1st Model (1880-86), is one such example. The reserve of 3,500 euros soon fell by the wayside as the avalanche of bids drove the price up to 25,000 euros.

By contrast, the new owner of the Order of St Alexander, 3rd Class, 1st Model, 2nd Type, had to part with 18,750 euros, dwarfing the catalogue price of 4,000 euros for this coveted order.

The auction house realised the highest price of the collection with lot number 3598. Bids from 9,900 euros had been invited for the small collar of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Together with the remarkably rare, original presentation case, the collar only closed at 26,875 euros.

The gold pocket watch made by Lange & Söhne (lot number 4051) was regarded as a pièce de résistance. The 18-carat hunter pocket watch was a Christmas present from Hitler to his Marineadjutant von Puttkamer. Although set to rake in 50,000 euros, the fully functional precision pocket watch in "1a" quality, set with 20 rubies and consigned directly by the von Puttkamer family, commanded the handsome sum of 82,500 euros.

Lot number 4170 definitely caught the eye among the technical devices. The untouched "Enigma K" cipher machine with four rotors was guaranteed to be a huge draw. Along with its original wooden case, the remarkable model with the serial number "K 305" changed hands for 115,000 euros, more than doubling its catalogue price of 50,000 euros.

Lot 4764 was a notable object from recent Croatian history, namely a "Sjekirica" battle axe, dated 1942. Listed at 15,000 euros, it had been given to Slavko Kvaternik (1878 – 1947) as a gift of honour from the Hlinka Guard. Of the utmost historical significance, the rare axe eclipsed its reserve, selling for 60,000 euros.