Posted 11 years ago
jhp1963
(1 item)
This artifact has been in our family for generations now. It is a large amber rock with an inscription in German on silver and dates to World War One and the German Imperial Army. We have been told that it is Baltic Cherry Amber, but so far no jeweler has wanted to authenticate it. It was given to an officer as a remembrance from his soldiers. It originally belonged to a dear freind of my grandmother. He got the piece from his soldiers and eventually settled in Berlin where he opened a theater and cafe. He escaped the Nazis fleeing to Shanghai, China during WWII and eventually settling in Detroit, Michigan.
"Escaped ------ fleeing to Shanghai --". Maybe not a good choice of destinations at the time.
Most have been some sort of story behind choosing this as a parting gift. Really curious.
Das Offizierkorps der Erste Artillerie Ersatz Abteilung 1. Which I think would translate into The Offier Corps of the first artillery reserve, division 1.
My friend O.K.
Noticed 800 in the right bottom corner. 80% Silver I guess. Could OK just be OK or the initials? From the giver or the receiver? How big is it?
Interesting, Artillerie Ersatz Abteilung 1 were placed at Königsberg (Kaliningrad) up to the beginning of WWII. According to Wikipedia, this area is the main source of Baltic Amber: "Amber is globally distributed, mainly in rocks of Cretaceous age or younger. Historically, the Samland coast west of Königsberg in Prussia was the world's leading source of amber. About 90% of the world's extractable amber is still located in that area, which became the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia in 1946"
Thanks very much OlofZ for the information. Konigsberg was mentioned in family talks as either the birthplace or one time home of Mr. Bukofser (he was the officer that the amber was given to). O.K. are apparently some initials.