Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski (1899 - 1972) was a high-ranking Waffen-SS commander in the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer, General der Waffen SS, General der Polizei. He was the SS and Police Leader for Silesia, the Higher SS and Police Leader for Army Group Center and was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. He is infamous for leading the brutal suppression of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Von dem Bach-Zelewski was also in charge of the anti partisan campaigns (Bandenbekämpfung) in occupied Europe during WWII. Despite his responsibility for numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity, von dem Bach-Zelewski did not stand trial in Nuremberg, and instead was used as a witness for the prosecution. He was later convicted for politically motivated murders during the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934 and died in prison in 1972. 

This impressive album has recently come of from a US collector lately who has owned it for over a decade. The owner decided to consign after ratisbon's 20th Contemporary History Auction, where many belongings of v.d. Bach-Zelewski were sold.

Impressive period time collection of original documents, period time newspaper articles and photos on von dem Bach-Zelweksi. The album must have been set up either by him personally, a family member or even his secretary. It was certainly not set up by a collector postwar!

The album starts with a nice portrait photo of him taken in 1936. He wears the "Südost" SS cuffband. Next to his medals, you can see him holding his leader's sword and his visor cap. On the second page a larger photo must have been removed. 

The following pages provide an impressive collection of not only original documents to von dem Bach-Zelewski but also many original newspaper articles. He is featured or at least mentioned in all of the articles in the album. The earliest article dates back to 1931. The last to 1937. He is shown on many pictures.  

Certainly the most interesting document inside the album is v.d. Bach-Zelewski's original award document for the SS Honor Ring. The document is 24.12.1933 dated and issued to "Herrn SS-Oberführer v.d. Bach-Zelewski". It is original signed by Heinrich Himmler (ink). The document is pasted in. It can be considered as extremely rare and important since it is one of only three existing 1933 dated award certificates for an SS Honor Ring known today. It has also been published on page 67 of Gottlieb's "The SS Totenkopf Ring". Note that this 1933 pattern says "Ich schenke Ihnen den Totenkopfring der SS" (I present you ….) whereas it sais "Ich verleihe Ihnen den Totenkopfring der SS" (I bestow …) on all other patterns.

Another important document is an original promotion signed by Adolf Hitler. The promotion is Berlin, 11.7.1934 date and promotes v.d. Bach-Zelewski to SS-Gruppenführer. Hitler signed in ink. Please note that this document might have been cut in size. The original letter head could be missing. It is pasted in.

The next page holds an original telegram sent by Albert Forster congratulating him on this promotion.  Forster was Gauleiter / Reichsstatthalter of Danzig.

V.d. Bach-Zelewski was invited to von Hindenburg's funeral. Part of the album is the original invitation. Below is a picture showing Hitler marching with high ranking leaders (including v.d. Bach-Zelewski) to the Tannenberg memorial.

The next page holds an original promotion document promoting v.d. Bach-Zelewski to the leadership of SS-Oberabschnitt Nordost. It is 25.8.1934 dated and comes with an original ink signature of Heinrich Himmler. Original "Der Reichsführer-SS" letter head and stamp. DIN A4 size. Pasted in.

Original letter of Heinrich Himmler addressed to "Lieber Bach!" (v.d.Bach-Zelewski) stating that he sent him documentation on his personal family crests. The cover letter is signed in ink “Ihr H. Himmler”. The document was created and features a scarce signature of Karl Maria Weisthor and is pasted onto the next two pages . SS-Brigadeführer Karl Maria Wiligut, alias Weisthor, (1866-1946) was Himmler’s personal ‘mystic’/Rasputin and mentor on mythological and ‘ancestral memory’, the designer of the SS Totenkopf Ring, early Germanic pseudo-history researcher and lecturer, who likely influenced Himmler to choose Wewelsburg as the magical German strongpoint against the eastern armies. The family crest paperwork includes the Wappen description, the derivation and meaning of v.d. Bach-Zelewski’s name and related runic information. 

Another highlight is the original award document for the SS sword. The document is 15.9.1935 dated and issued to "SS-Gruppenführer von dem Bach Zelewski Führer des SS-Oberabschnittes Nordost". The document is slightly sun bleached. It comes with an original ink signature of Heinrich Himmler.

Original letter of Dr. Fritz Todt with original ink signature. He thanks v.d. Bach-Zelewski for his participation in the "1000km Reichsautobahnen" celebrations. He sent him a plaque designed by Prof. Klein as he states

Original 1935 document for the "Julleuchter". "Der Reichsführer-SS" letter head. Facsimile signature of H. Himmler.

Signs of use and age. A few pages show small stripes of linen-tab stabilizing them near the bond.

Overall good condition. All pages comes and full. Only two articles/photos were removed.

Size: 36cm x 27cm. 128 pages in total.