Erwin Rommel (1891-1944). German Field Marshall during World War II. Commanded a Panzer Division in the invasion of France (1940); commander of German Forces in Africa (1941-1943); recaptured Tobruk (1942) and drove the British back to el-Alamein. Called 'The Desert Fox.' Rommel was forced to take poison to avoid public trial after Hitler discovered his contacts with hwe conspirators who tried to kill Hitler.The quid pro quo of Rommel committing suicide was that his wife and son would be taken care of and not harmed.Legend has it that Himmler indirectly threatened to kill all three of them if Rommel did not cooperate.

This offering is a early handwritten letter by Rommel to his future wife who he was courting at the time while at the Officer Cadet School in Danzig (Gdansk), early in 1911, Rommel met his future wife, 17-year-old Lucia Maria Mollin (commonly called Lucie). They married in 1916, and in 1928 had a son, Manfred, who would later become the mayor of Stuttgart.The letter to Lucie reads as follows: "What are you really up to? Does the Herr Lieutenant burden you with so much work that you no longer have a minute for me?This is unkind. Tonight I shall have some free time around quarter to seven and you could join me if you wish. Tomorrow I shall be bicycling to Karlshouse with Denke and some young colleagues.Erwin Rommel, Danzig, September 11, 1911. What is fascinating about this letter is that he is writing to a youg girl he is very much intereted in but he signs the letter so formally with his first and last name-Erwin Rommel.

The piece is archivally framed and there is a cut through to the back of the framing so the front of the letter can be seen and read by turning the frame over.. The letter is accompaniedby an envelope of transmittal addresses in Rommel's hand. The item was originally purchased from Kenneth Rendell Galleries and the Rendell imprinted description and translation is affixed to the back of the frame.

Rommel served as a cadet until 1911, when he entered Officer Cadet School in Danzig in March. By January of 1912, Cadet Rommel had been commissioned as Lieutenant Rommel, Rommel’s final school assessment was brief and stated that he had showed competence in all subjects. (A bit of an understatement we would say).About two years after Rommel’s commission as Lieutenant, Germany entered World War I by declaring war on Russia, and, eventually, France and Britain. Rommel’s first action was at Longwy in Eastern France. Rommel insisted that in order to properly command his troops, he had to be on the front lines, to see how properly to disperse and order his men. This initiative proved his courage to his commanding officers, and after he successfully held his position and repulsed several French attacks, he proved his command competence. This recognition earned him an appointment to Battalion Adjutant. Rommel’s military career continued brilliantly, and by the end of the war, he had been awarded the Iron Cross - First and Second Class, and he was the youngest recipient of the Pour le Mérite, the highest medal awarded by Prussia

Several things are of particular interest about this letter.First it has to be one of the earliest Rommel letters ever to appear on the market and it of course was written during his formative military years. Second, note how different his signature was in 1911 when compared with his signature during WW II.The signature to the left was affixed to a WW II promotions document. Rommel characteritically used pencil to sign documents during WW II.

This item comes with a certified opion as to authenticity as well as the documentation of provenance from the Rendell Gallery.

Price:$3750.00