Souvenirs of the
Wilhelm Gustloff
Wilhelm Gustloff
Like any other ship sailing the seas, the Wilhelm Gustloff had an onboard gift shop near her dining room where passengers could purchase items to remember the voyage. The photo at right is of her gift shop with a passenger purchasing a camera. No doubt, the souvenirs of the Gustloff are the most interesting pieces due to the wide variations of items that were available.
Presented below are several souvenir pieces purchased onboard. The photo albums with the ship's name and picture sold onboard are focused on in the Albums and Photos section.
Presented below are several souvenir pieces purchased onboard. The photo albums with the ship's name and picture sold onboard are focused on in the Albums and Photos section.
Wilhelm Gustloff Mützenbands - a.k.a. Hatbands, Cap Tallys
Displayed here are three mützenbands, or sailor's cap bands, which would have been wrapped around the bottom portion of a hat and tied off in the back. These are the most notable items sold onboard the Wilhelm Gustloff due to their size and beauty. There are five versions in existence, versions 2-5 were originally sold onboard the liner as souvenirs. They are as follows:
1: (NOT SHOWN) Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with solid black background; specifically for the hats of crew members. (As shown in photos such as the LIFE magazine article and in many photos of her crew on deck.)
2: Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with the Nazi Germany flag & DAF flag against a black background. From our 'Red Album'. (Top left)
3: Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with the Nazi Germany flag & DAF flag against a black background. Has an outer red line and inner white line. The example shown above is in mint condition. We also have another of the same style. Measures 90cm long. (Middle Left)
4: Wilhelm Gustloff in blue with the Nazi Germany flag and DAF flag against a white background. Has a red stripe on the outer sides and a black stripe on the inner sides. Ours is in near-mint condition and measures 88cm. We also have another of this style in the same condition. These are from her maiden voyage as two are known to have been purchased on said trip. This would explain the few sightings of them.
5: Wilhelm Gustloff in blue with the Nazi Germany flag and DAF flag against a white background. No red or black stripes at the top and bottom. The newest addition to our collection of tallys.
Displayed here are three mützenbands, or sailor's cap bands, which would have been wrapped around the bottom portion of a hat and tied off in the back. These are the most notable items sold onboard the Wilhelm Gustloff due to their size and beauty. There are five versions in existence, versions 2-5 were originally sold onboard the liner as souvenirs. They are as follows:
1: (NOT SHOWN) Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with solid black background; specifically for the hats of crew members. (As shown in photos such as the LIFE magazine article and in many photos of her crew on deck.)
2: Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with the Nazi Germany flag & DAF flag against a black background. From our 'Red Album'. (Top left)
3: Wilhelm Gustloff in gold with the Nazi Germany flag & DAF flag against a black background. Has an outer red line and inner white line. The example shown above is in mint condition. We also have another of the same style. Measures 90cm long. (Middle Left)
4: Wilhelm Gustloff in blue with the Nazi Germany flag and DAF flag against a white background. Has a red stripe on the outer sides and a black stripe on the inner sides. Ours is in near-mint condition and measures 88cm. We also have another of this style in the same condition. These are from her maiden voyage as two are known to have been purchased on said trip. This would explain the few sightings of them.
5: Wilhelm Gustloff in blue with the Nazi Germany flag and DAF flag against a white background. No red or black stripes at the top and bottom. The newest addition to our collection of tallys.
Wilhelm Gustloff Souvenir Ashtrays, Perfume Bottles, Tea Cups & Vase
Measuring approximately 11 x 8 cm, these ashtrays were created as part of a "special edition of souvenir articles" by world-renowned porcelain manufacturer Fürstenberg during 1937/39. Although it does not display the distinctive blue 'F' maker mark on the bottom, it is clearly part of a series based on a 1920's company design called "Germania". For example, a tea cup and saucer of the exact same design (and exact same Gustloff artwork) have the maker mark. The ashtray simply contains a four-digit number. Source: Wilhelmgustloff.com
There are currently 4 of these ashtrays in the collection, all in mint condition.
I was reading an article at TimesOnline titled: 'Pirate divers face jail for looting Nazi ghost liner', By: Roger Boyes, December 9, 2004. I found these two lines interesting because these ashtrays are the only type known manufactured with the ship's picture and name. The quote, which pertains to the recent problems looters have caused, is this (pertaining to one removed from the wreck):
"Enforcing the clampdown may prove difficult, given the significant financial rewards for divers. German collectors will offer 10,000 Euros ($13,500) or more for an ashtray marked with the name of the ship."
The perfume bottles are another souvenir piece from the Gustloff. In mint condition, they sport two different images of the Gustloff and have the 4-digit code '6055' on the bottom. On the backside, there is a worn gold shield with the letter 'G' for the one at left. The bottles are light pink in color, though it is hard to tell in the photo. The crown on the top twists open to allow the perfume to come through the 4 small holes on the top.
Bottom right is a miniature teacup as mentioned earlier in the article. Demitasse with the standard painting of the liner and her name at the bottom with a gold rim. At far right is a vase from the liner.
Wilhelm Gustloff Pins
Pins were the smallest items sold onboard the liner as souvenirs. The pin at left is a beautiful version with white enamel and the name 'M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff' in gold lettering. Image courtesy of Jo Rivett. There are variations of this pin to have the Nazi flag or DAF flag. With the Robert Ley's twin pin, there is the DAF flag or the KDF flag.
The last pin is a beautiful bow pin of the Gustloff. White liner with gold surrounding. This photograph is courtesy of Ralph Abercrombie from his European Badge Collection.
Pins were the smallest items sold onboard the liner as souvenirs. The pin at left is a beautiful version with white enamel and the name 'M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff' in gold lettering. Image courtesy of Jo Rivett. There are variations of this pin to have the Nazi flag or DAF flag. With the Robert Ley's twin pin, there is the DAF flag or the KDF flag.
The last pin is a beautiful bow pin of the Gustloff. White liner with gold surrounding. This photograph is courtesy of Ralph Abercrombie from his European Badge Collection.
Two interesting containers of the Wilhelm Gustloff.
These are two unusual heavy paper containers from the Wilhelm Gustloff of which I have never seen before until now. However, the authenticity of them is in play due to the sudden appearance and flooding on the market of them. (At least 5 sets of these appeared in a month span.) Another indication is the poorly cut circles which are on the top. (I would expect a higher standard for KdF cruises.) Whether they are modern recreations or originals made for this particular voyage, they remain interesting pieces to be listed. The left container reads "See-Urlaubsreise. 21.Reise. Wilhelm Gustloff, Kraft Durch Freude" and it is in very aged condition with separation issues. The right container is in much better condition and reads "Wilhelm Gustloff", 24. Reise, 1938/39, Kraft Durch Freude. Each opens for storage of some sort. Each is 6cm in diameter and 2.5cm in height.
These are two unusual heavy paper containers from the Wilhelm Gustloff of which I have never seen before until now. However, the authenticity of them is in play due to the sudden appearance and flooding on the market of them. (At least 5 sets of these appeared in a month span.) Another indication is the poorly cut circles which are on the top. (I would expect a higher standard for KdF cruises.) Whether they are modern recreations or originals made for this particular voyage, they remain interesting pieces to be listed. The left container reads "See-Urlaubsreise. 21.Reise. Wilhelm Gustloff, Kraft Durch Freude" and it is in very aged condition with separation issues. The right container is in much better condition and reads "Wilhelm Gustloff", 24. Reise, 1938/39, Kraft Durch Freude. Each opens for storage of some sort. Each is 6cm in diameter and 2.5cm in height.
Souvenir Photo Album & Photo Packs
This is one example of a souvenir album sold onboard. There were 3 sizes for these albums - 12cm x 10cm, 25cm x 18cm, and 28.5cm x 22cm.
Souvenir photos of the Gustloff were sold in packs of 12 along with 12 packs of the various destinations. Top clockwise: Naples, Genoa, Tripoli, and Madeira without the protective sleeve, and the Wilhelm Gustloff.
This is one example of a souvenir album sold onboard. There were 3 sizes for these albums - 12cm x 10cm, 25cm x 18cm, and 28.5cm x 22cm.
Souvenir photos of the Gustloff were sold in packs of 12 along with 12 packs of the various destinations. Top clockwise: Naples, Genoa, Tripoli, and Madeira without the protective sleeve, and the Wilhelm Gustloff.
Wilhelm Gustloff Handkerchief
With the Gustloff and her name sewn into the bottom right. European auction.
With the Gustloff and her name sewn into the bottom right. European auction.
Albums & Photos
Wilhelm Gustloff Mutzenband with a Donald Duck hat. Image Courtesy of military collector Mr. Whamond
Norwegian Fjords Cruise with the Kraft Durch Freude Pin
Dated 1939
I have seen many pins from various KdF cruises, but this is the first one I have seen that has the Wilhelm Gustloff directly on the pin itself. Single clip pin in the back with the makers markings. This is the stock photo from before I purchased it (hence the covered swastika.) No matter how many times I tried to rephotograph it, I could not get a clear image.
Dated 1939
I have seen many pins from various KdF cruises, but this is the first one I have seen that has the Wilhelm Gustloff directly on the pin itself. Single clip pin in the back with the makers markings. This is the stock photo from before I purchased it (hence the covered swastika.) No matter how many times I tried to rephotograph it, I could not get a clear image.
K.D.F. Schiff Wilhelm Gustloff Pin
This badge was issued in 1939 to commemorate the ship taking part in returning the men of the Condor Legion from Spain to Germany during May of that year. 1.75" x 1.2" high, appears to be made of tin. Originally made as a pin, you can see the pin on the back was removed and someone poked two holes on both sides to nail on something as a plaque.
This badge was issued in 1939 to commemorate the ship taking part in returning the men of the Condor Legion from Spain to Germany during May of that year. 1.75" x 1.2" high, appears to be made of tin. Originally made as a pin, you can see the pin on the back was removed and someone poked two holes on both sides to nail on something as a plaque.
Wilhelm Gustloff Souvenir Bracelet - Nautical Flags & Nazi Flag
One of the more beautiful souvenir pieces made for the KdF fleet were bracelets in nautical flags spelling out the name of the ship it was from. Presented here is the Wilhelm Gustloff's souvenir bracelet made up of 13 flags and it measures just under 7.5 inches long.
One of the more beautiful souvenir pieces made for the KdF fleet were bracelets in nautical flags spelling out the name of the ship it was from. Presented here is the Wilhelm Gustloff's souvenir bracelet made up of 13 flags and it measures just under 7.5 inches long.
W - I - L - H - G - U - S - T - L - O - F - F
Our collection also has the same bracelet from the Robert Ley, which is presented on the ES Robery Ley page. The Gustloff bracelet comes with the Nazi flag on the end, and the Robert Ley has the Nazi flag at the beginning and the Kraft Durch Freude flag at the end.
Our example does not have these flags however. I have also seen the same
bracelet for the Der Deutsche, sporting the North German Lloyd
(Norddeutscher Lloyd) flag at the end. (Pictured at Right)
Our collection also has the same bracelet from the Robert Ley, which is presented on the ES Robery Ley page. The Gustloff bracelet comes with the Nazi flag on the end, and the Robert Ley has the Nazi flag at the beginning and the Kraft Durch Freude flag at the end.
Our example does not have these flags however. I have also seen the same
bracelet for the Der Deutsche, sporting the North German Lloyd
(Norddeutscher Lloyd) flag at the end. (Pictured at Right)
Souvenir Pencil from the Wilhelm Gustloff.
4" long - still maintains a small piece of lead attached to the pen unlike the Robert Ley's twin souvenir pen. Still has original braided string at the end as well.
4" long - still maintains a small piece of lead attached to the pen unlike the Robert Ley's twin souvenir pen. Still has original braided string at the end as well.
Achtung! In my years of collecting, the main item(s) that I am missing for the collection are the souvenir pins from the Wilhelm Gustloff. If anyone has one of these pins available or would like to donate one to the museum collection, please contact me through the information on the introduction page. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Right:
1. Current collection of mützenbands - 8 Total.
2 -4. Examples of Wilhelm Gustloff crew / passengers wearing mützenbands.
1. Current collection of mützenbands - 8 Total.
2 -4. Examples of Wilhelm Gustloff crew / passengers wearing mützenbands.
Gustav Freytag:
Die Brüder vom Deutschen Hause
The Brothers of the German House
While not an official souvenir, this book was absconded from the liner's onboard library. Inventory Number 311772
Marked:
Eigentum der KdF Bordbücherei
M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff
Owned by the library board KdF
M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff
Die Brüder vom Deutschen Hause
The Brothers of the German House
While not an official souvenir, this book was absconded from the liner's onboard library. Inventory Number 311772
Marked:
Eigentum der KdF Bordbücherei
M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff
Owned by the library board KdF
M.S. Wilhelm Gustloff