Original Items: One-of-a-kind. The Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe) was a Luftwaffe award established on 27 February 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für Besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For Special Achievement in the Air War". The award was given only to flying personnel (pilots and aircrew). Recipients' named were published in the periodical Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe (Honor List of the German Air Force).

The award was made to aircrew who had already been awarded the Iron Cross First Class but whose performance was not considered to merit the German Cross or Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It was replaced by the Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasp in January 1944. German archives indicate that approximately 58,000 were given "on paper", but only 13–15,000 goblets were actually awarded according to the records. The first airman to receive the goblet was Oberstleutnant Johann Schalk on 21 August 1940.

These goblets are extremely rare, and this lovely tarnished example is the first that we have ever had. Previously we only had the award documents, and not the goblet itself, however this time we have BOTH! We have never had both the goblet and award document before, and we are unlikely to again, as many who received the document never received the award.

This goblet was presented on October 2nd, 1943 to Unteroffizier Franz Uteseny, who had previously been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class awards, and comes complete with the original award document! The document is printed on the correct mid weight A4 size (8.27 in x 11.69 in) paper. It begins with the standard award statement under an early war Luftwaffe "Droop Tail" eagle:

Ich verleihe
dem

Unteroffizier
Franz U t e s e n y
in Anerkennung seiner hervorragenden Tapferkeit
und der besonderen Erfolge alse Kampfflieger

This translates roughly to "I award Corporal Franz Uteseny in recognition of his outstanding bravery and special achievements as an air fighter" and indicates he was given the Honor Goblet on 2. Oktober 1943. The document has a facsimile signature of Göring / Reichsmarſchall, and on the lower right is the signature of Der Chef des Luftwaffenperſonalamts (Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Department), Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer. The document is in very good condition, and has the correct raised seal on the lower left hand side. It comes in a lovely 11 1/4"W x 14 1/4"H Frame.

When he received the Honor Goblet, the only assignment that we can find for Uteseny is simply Bordfunker, or radio operator. He did later receive the German Cross in Gold on March 29th, 1944, when he was listed as being part of 14. (Eis) / Kampf-Geschwader 27, a medium bomber wing that saw service in the Battle of Britain and later on the Eastern Front. Definitely some nice research potential here!

The goblet itself measures 8 ⅛ inches tall, with a diameter of 3 ¾ inches at the mouth. This example is made from "German Silver", a cupronickel alloy also called Neusilber, Nickel Silver, and often "Alpaka", which was then fully silver plated. The design shows the 1939 Iron Cross on one side, with the Luftwaffe Eagle in combat with another eagle on the opposite side. The silver plating is well retained on almost all of the goblet, except around the bottom where it is named, which looks to have been polished to keep the name fresh.

The bottom of the goblet has the Uteseny's rank, name, and the date of the award above the "For Special Achievement in the Air War" message:

UNTEROFFIZIER FRANZ UTESENY 2 · 10 · 43

FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNG IM LUFTKRIEG

The inside of the base of the goblet has the original maker information still fully legible.

FEINSILBER
(ALPAKA)
AUFLAGE
JOH. WAGNER & SOHN

This is a known and well-regarded maker of fine silverware, which is seen on other Luftwaffe Honor Goblets, as well as various presentation cases and other silver items. There is also an old museum asset sticker on the bottom as well.

This is a great chance to pick up a very seldom seen German WWII award, the first that we have ever had the pleasure of offering, complete with the original award document! This will make a fantastic addition to any German WWII or Luftwaffe collection, as well as a great research project!