|
|
|
|
|
|
Adolf Hitler tossed the first ceremonial shovel full of dirt on 23 September 1933 at Frankfurt am Main, and work on the Reichsautobahn, the long distance highway network of Germany and the world’s first real freeway, began at different sites in Nazi Germany the following spring. The first finished stretch, between Frankfurt and Darmstadt opened on 19 May 1935, and the first 1000 km (620 miles) were completed on 23 September 1936 at Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland).
Two thousand kilometers (1200 miles) of die Strassen Adolf Hitlers were completed by the end of 1937, and 3000 km (1900 miles) were finished by the end of 1938. There were plans for 7,000 to 12,000 kilometers to be built after the reunification of Austria with Nazi Germany and the annexation of the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia.
Two thousand kilometers (1200 miles) of die Strassen Adolf Hitlers were completed by the end of 1937, and 3000 km (1900 miles) were finished by the end of 1938. There were plans for 7,000 to 12,000 kilometers to be built after the reunification of Austria with Nazi Germany and the annexation of the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia.
| Few know that completion of the 4000th kilometer had been carefully planned and a special commemorative plaque was designed to celebrate the feat, but the milestone was never reached and few if any of the commemorative plaques were ever distributed! |
Offered for sale on this USMBOOKS web page is one of very few surviving examples of that rare commemorative plaque that was meant to be awarded by Fritz Todt to the higher echelon of people involved in the planning and construction of the 4000th kilometer of the German freeway network! |
Most people are unaware that this plaque was ever made, because of its rarity. It is a fine white bisque and light green glazed porcelain plaque that measures 135 x 140 x 15 mm thick (5-1/4 x 5-1/2 x 5/8 inch thick) and weighs 22 ounces. It was produced by the world-famous German Royal Porcelain Manufacturer KPM or Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur (a company) of Berlin. The front side of this rare Nazi Porzellanplakette shows a map of Greater Germany and the stretches of Reichsautobahn finished by 1941. A few well-known landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Frauenkirche in Munich, the reviewing stand on the Nazi Party Day Grounds in Nuremberg, and the cathedrals of Cologne and Vienna decorate the system map in bas-relief.
The unglazed back side of the plaque bears the inscription Für die Mitarbeit am Bau der Reichsautobahnen Dank und Anerkennung - Dr. Todt Im Jahre der Entscheidung 1941 which translates as “With gratitude and recognition for collaboration on the construction of the Reichsautobahn”. Below the dedication is a facsimile of the signature of Dr. Todt and the text “In the Decisive Year 1941,” and below that the logo of KPM.
This extremely rare Third Reich Reichsautobahn plaque is in excellent original condition, except for the small chip just left of the center of the bottom on the front side in the light celadon-color glazed portion.
This extremely rare Third Reich Reichsautobahn plaque is in excellent original condition, except for the small chip just left of the center of the bottom on the front side in the light celadon-color glazed portion.
After the death of Reichsminister Dr. Ing. Fritz Todt (the man in charge of all highway construction in Germany as well as the Armaments Minister of Nazi Germany, shown in the reference photo above) in an aircraft accident at the Wolfsschanze airfield near Rastenburg in East Prussia on 8 February 1942, his successor, Albert Speer, stopped freeway construction completely and used the men and equipment for the war efforts of Organisation Todt. When work ceased on the Reichsautobahnen, 3819.7 km (2373.5 miles) had been completed.
On the right we show a close-up of the chip which makes it look large, but it is actually quite small, and can be eliminated by a porcelain craftsman or craftswoman restorer who is experienced with that sort of work on chipped porcelain tableware. Prices for that sort of restoration are very reasonable, and people who do such work professionally can be found in cities large and small around the world. Inquire with the management of any antique shop or online for a reliable reference.
After the start of World War II in September 1939, an additional 560 km (350 miles) of freeway were completed, but construction soon ground to a stop. Workmen became soldiers, and engineers and laborers were put to work by the RAD restoring bridges in German occupied territories and converting rail tracks in the Soviet Union to the standard gauge used in Nazi Germany.
Also for sale on USMBOOKS.com, many original Third Reich photo books about the construction of the Reichsautobahn. We are happy to combine shipping of multiple purchases!
for sale for $225.00 delivered in the continental USA. |
| • IF you wish to purchase highly recommended, but optional insurance, add $5.45. |
| • We will be happy to ship abroad at additional cost, however foreign customers are responsible for any VAT payments, import duties and clearing fees. Please inquire. |
VERY RARE ORIGINAL 1941 NAZI 4000 KM REICHSAUTOBAHN PLAQUE
A 100% ORIGINAL NAZI PORCELAIN PLAQUE THAT
WAS MEANT TO BE AWARDED UPON COMPLETION
OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 4000th KILOMETER
OF ADOLF HITLER’s GERMAN FREEWAY
