Victories Eagle

Eagles > Desk Eagles > Victories Eagle

Availability: Uncommon

Maker: Ernst Kraas Berlin – Kreuzberg foundry (founded 1883)

Size: Various Sizes – there are six versions of this eagle.

Material: Fine Bronze

Description:

Artist: Anton Buschelberger

 

These ‘Victories’ eagle vary considerably in size – there is a small office tray version in addition to the larger ones and they are all very similar in style. They have been referred to as the “Victories Eagle” or “Eagle on the globe” as these top quality eagles are considered highly prized awards and were awarded/given to many high profile individuals.

Version 1: 

This version was awarded to various people as a prize/award for achievement. It is a bronze eagle, patinated, on a stylized globe with a laurel bush. The artists monogram “AB” is visible as well as the Foundry marks for Bildgiesserei Kraas 154 s / s Berlin
There is a screw fastening the eagle in the middle of the marble base.

  • Size: 30cm (Height), 42cm (Width)
  • Weight: 6.5kg
  • Foundry: KRAAS BILDIESSEREI Ernst Kraas Berlin – Kreuzberg foundry (founded 1883)
  • Availability: Rare (Approx. 10)

Known awards:

  • Hanna Reitsch (1937) – a Christmas present to her parents in 1937. On a terraced pedestal of green, grained marble engraved on a badge the dedication: “To my highly esteemed and beloved parents, for their patience and faith in me to realise my dreams of aviation, in eternal gratitude, presented by their daughter ‘Flight Captain Hanna’ – Christmas 1937, Rechlin am Müritzsee.”
  • German GP 1939 (1939)-  Grand prix winners trophy – Rudolph  Caracciola
  • Blue Max presentation Eagle (1937)– Awarded to Eduard Ritter von Schleich
  • Bronze Base – Hollow bronze base version (unknown recipient)
  • SS II/20 Sports award – On a dark marble base, height approx. 31.5 cm, span of the wings approx. 42 cm. Weight 6.7 kg. Two plaques – one inscribed “Wanderpreis des SS – Sturmbannes II/20 for the 10×1/2 round relay at the standard sports festival of the 20th SS – standard 17./18.6.1939 Wuppertal” and the other blank.

Photos: (Version 1)

 

Version 2: 

This version has one known example. It is a very heavy solid cast patinated bronze eagle, on a stylized globe with a laurel bush. The artists monogram “AB” is visible as well as the Foundry mark “Bildgiesserei Kraas Berlin S42”. It is also noticeable for its articulated leg joints – a feature sometime found on high quality bronze desk eagles but so far only found on the version 1 & version 2 size ‘Victories’ eagle examples.

  • Size: 23.5cm (Height – no base), 57cm (Width)
  • Weight: 7.5kg (without base)
  • Foundry: KRAAS BILDIESSEREI (Ernst Kraas Berlin – Kreuzberg foundry (founded 1883))
  • Availability: Very Rare (Approx. 1 known)

Photos: (Version 2)

 

Version 3: 

This version was significantly larger and was suspected to be used in an administration or office building foyer (speculated).

  • Size: 53cm (Height), 35cm (Depth), 86cm (Width)
  • Weight: Approx 35kg
  • Foundry: KRAAS BILDIESSEREI (Ernst Kraas Berlin – Kreuzberg foundry (founded 1883))
  • Availability: Unique (1 known)

Photos: (Version 3)

 

Version 4:

This version is an elegant office tray for business cards or a pen container. At the bottom of the globe is the signature: “AB”

  • Size: Eagle – 10cm (Height),  22cm (Width), marble – 14cm (Height), 31cm (Width)
  • Availability: Unique (1 known)

Photos: (Version 4)

 

Version 5:

This version is a desk eagle style mounted on marble with an inscribed nickel silver plate. The inscription reads “Wanderpreis des Kreisschützenführer Group shooting Wehrmanngewehr 1938”. At the bottom of the globe is the signature: “AB”

  • Size: Eagle – 22cm (Height)
  • Availability: Unique (1 known)

Photos: (Version 5)

 

Version 6:
This version was a present to Hermann Göring from Maurice Graf Potocki. Unlike the other styles this one is made from Silver and is a sitting eagle soaring on a truncated pyramid. The front dedication engraving states “January 12, 1938 – 45 – Waidmannsheil dem Reichsjägermeister Hermann Göring”. On the back it has in cursive “Maurice Graf Potocki”. The side surfaces are engraved with hunting scenes. There is a Polish silversmith’s mark (DUD) and grade “800” as well as an engraver signature “12/37 D. Fl.” on the base. There is an excellently restored break on the feet.

  • Size: Height 30.5 cm
  • Weight: 9.72 kg.

It was a birthday present from Polish Count Potocki to Hermann Göring, who knew each other from hunting together. Potocki owned important hunting grounds in Poland.

Photos (Version 6)