SILVER POUR LE MÉRITE COMMEMORATIVE BALL-FOOTED CUP.

SILVER POUR LE MÉRITE COMMEMORATIVE BALL-FOOTED CUP. The silver cup commemorates the award of the Pour le Mérite on AM. 26 April 1917 to thirty (30) victory ace Leutnant Karl Emil Schäfer. Schäfer flew with von Richthofen in Jasta 11. On the day the Pour le Mérite was awarded, Schäfer was given command of Jasta 28, and it is possible that Schäfer’s Jasta 11 comrades in honor of his award and promotion presented the cup. A British FE 2 crew from 20 Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps, killed Schäfer in action on 5 June 1917. Surrounding the lip of the cup is the legend “FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNGEN IM LUFTKRIEG,” roughly translated to “in recognition of extraordinary performance in aerial warfare”. On the side is an engraving of the Pour le Mérite award and the name “KARL EMIL SCHÄFER, AM. 26-4-1917”. The cup, of German silver, has a copper rim, which in all likelihood was silver-plated, but which is now worn off from polishing. The cup has three silver ball-feet; the bottom bears the official touch mark of the Imperial Luftstreitkräfte, or Air Service. Accompanying the cup are two reproduction copies of Sanke cards and a copy of Cross & Cockade Journal, Volume 18, Number 4, Winter 1977, which on pages 349-353 detail Shäfer’s military career. PROVENANCE: From an early 1950s World War I aviation collection. CONDITION: Fine. One minor stress crack on the side. SIZE: 5-3/8” in diameter and 7-1/4” in height. 4-55326 CW28 (1,500-2,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1380	$3,162.00	SILVER POUR LE MÉRITE COMMEMORATIVE BALL-FOOTED CUP. The silver cup commemorates the award of the Pour le Mérite on AM. 26 April 1917 to thirty (30) victory ace Leutnant Karl Emil Schäfer. Schäfer flew with von Richthofen in Jasta 11. On the day the Pour le Mérite was awarded, Schäfer was given command of Jasta 28, and it is possible that Schäfer’s Jasta 11 comrades in honor of his award and promotion presented the cup. A British FE 2 crew from 20 Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps, killed Schäfer in action on 5 June 1917. Surrounding the lip of the cup is the legend “FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNGEN IM LUFTKRIEG,” roughly translated to “in recognition of extraordinary performance in aerial warfare”. On the side is an engraving of the Pour le Mérite award and the name “KARL EMIL SCHÄFER, AM. 26-4-1917”. The cup, of German silver, has a copper rim, which in all likelihood was silver-plated, but which is now worn off from polishing. The cup has three silver ball-feet; the bottom bears the official touch mark of the Imperial Luftstreitkräfte, or Air Service. Accompanying the cup are two reproduction copies of Sanke cards and a copy of Cross & Cockade Journal, Volume 18, Number 4, Winter 1977, which on pages 349-353 detail Shäfer’s military career. PROVENANCE: From an early 1950s World War I aviation collection. CONDITION: Fine. One minor stress crack on the side. SIZE: 5-3/8” in diameter and 7-1/4” in height. 4-55326 CW28 (1,500-2,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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