GOETZ: K-324 ONE THOUSAND YEARS RHINELAND

cacheman · March 6, 2010 7:50AM

K-324 ONE THOUSAND YEARS RHINELAND. 1925, Cast Bronze, 117.1mm, 475.50g. R, Gussfrisch (as cast). From the Gerhard Lang collection.

Inscription on obverse, "One thousand years German and true."

Inscription on reverse. scroll to the left of bell' "I am called the German bell, from the high point you hear my sound." On scroll to right of bell, "Far into German country to the highest Lord's honor and praise." Inscription below bell, "I pray for the day where for the flaming revenge I joyful ring! May the enemies perish! With their blood they must remove the tarnish of shame on the German shield' to remove forever, so that it may shine over all the lands of the world.”

Silvereagle82 · March 6, 2010 12:26PM

laurentyvan · March 6, 2010 9:35PM

I pray for the day where for the flaming revenge I joyful ring! May the enemies perish! With their blood they must remove the tarnish of shame on the German shield' to remove forever, so that it may shine over all the lands of the world.”

Prophetic Irony- it may not have "shone" but 15 years later "flaming revenge" certainly "covered" all the lands of the world.

A handsome example, nontheless.

IloiloKano · March 7, 2010 1:43AM

This medal appears to capture the feelings of the German people after severe, many would say punitive, post WW1 conditions were placed upon the German people and nation. It is my understanding that it was those same conditions which gave rise to the people accepting Hitler as one to throw off their shackles, and for a time he did. Victors in war ought to learn from such mistakes, though history shows us that we never seem to do so.

cacheman, apparently you recently acquired several items from the Gerhard Lang collection, did you not? I don't know if you answered a question in a previous thread, but does anyone have a finer Goetz collection than yourself?

Beautiful pieces!

cacheman · March 7, 2010 7:14AM

Hi Steve, To answer your "collection" question I'd have to say that there are a number of other collections, private that is, that certainly outshine my collection. Three come to mind whereby the collector has been collecting Goetz far longer than I. One of them in particular has shared his collection content database with me, as I have him. He has a far more wide strategy for collecting Goetz, and resources to do so, in comparison to my latest interests of gathering varieites or the unattributted discoveries I've been finding but not saying much about until the information can be published. I do not know the contents of the other two collections but assume that they are quite stunning.

Originally my strategy was to grab any piece I could get my hands on which allowed me to obtain 75% of current collection. After being contacted by the Goetz family my interests shifted to the associated ephemra to Goetz's work and life. As you know, I now own his private medal cabinet, engraving tools, many medals designs/sketches, and perhaps the only material regarding his formative years and Paris Period jewelry designs prior to his move to Munich in 1905. This material fascinates me and gives me a larger picture of his life, which in turn, allows me to appreciate the final pieces far more. Granted, the final pieces like the piece above are beautiful but I have a deeper interest into his mindset while creating the piece...the product is only the final moment of the process and I've found my interests needing to know what led up to it's creation, what was the political, economical, etc. atmosphere at the time, what other artists, for there were many in Munich at this time, was he being influenced by and having a beer with... Many questions but, unfortunately, few answers.

So back to your original question...each collection is different in content, direction, and completeness. I don't think there is a distinction of "finer" since each collection has its strengths and weaknessess (if your definition of "finest" is described as the most complete). For instance, my collection comes up very short with regard to Goetz's aviation and WWII themed medals...I just never saw those as a priority for my collection. On the other hand, another collection may have an example for everything in each theme...that would be the "finest" to someone with a focused interest in those themes. At the same time, I have most of Goetz's Paris Period material and most likely I have the "finest" collection in that regard. So you see, the "finest" is in the eye of the beholder.

So, in my mind's eye, my collection is one that is well rounded and perhaps the most capable of shedding new light on knowledge about Goetz due to the ephemra which also includes lots of business papers, awards, certificates, passports, association membership booklets, etc., that might otherwise languish in the basement in Munich if I hadn't rescued it.

Undoubtedly there are a number of strong collections in Germany as well as other parts of the world but according to German auction house and dealers comments, most comes to the U.S. and where they see the strongest demand.

Hope this was sufficient to answer your question.

1jester · March 7, 2010 7:22AM

I dare say Cacheman is the foremost Goetz authority in the world, including owning the most extensive collection of Goetz's works ever to to have been collected under one roof.

And about this medal, I think German nationalism and sentiment post-WWI notwithstanding, the medal attempts to capture the essence of a Germanic people who for over a millennium have been fiercely independent and patriotic (true) to their heritage. This is to be understood in light of the more federalistic approach which is invariably crushed (or attempted to be excised) by a national government; bear in mind that the Germanic peoples who have inhabited what we know as Germany have for most of this time (even more than a thousand years) comprised various, distinct groups or tribes. The German unification of 1871 is in name only; individual states have a very strong identity and culture that they are wont to give up. The Pfaelzer (people of the Rhineland) are particularly and keenly independent, having tenaciously held onto their culture and unique language despite the trappings of modern, "unified" German nationalism. I think it is to this sentiment that the medal speaks, even celebrates, as a quality of a "true" German spirit.

And I'd have to agree, having spent years of my life deeply ensconced and schooled in this cradle of European civilization between the mighty life-giving rivers and their ancient vineyards of over 2000 years, where there are more castles than the mind can possibly fathom. This place was indeed an unimaginably important crossroads of Europe and certainly deserving of a commemorative medallion by an artist of Goetz's caliber.

laurentyvan · March 7, 2010 8:02AM

1Jester, just a little quiet admiration for your post.

Cogent, sincere observations-nice to see them back.

oldshep · March 7, 2010 1:34PM

Scott- Your reply to the inquiry above was thoughtful and presented as a true scientist. In this study of yours it is not the arrival at the end but the journey of getting there.

Shep

cacheman · March 7, 2010 3:53PM

<< <i>Scott- Your reply to the inquiry above was thoughtful and presented as a true scientist. In this study of yours it is not the arrival at the end but the journey of getting there.

Shep >>

Thanks Shep, and Jester too! I can't lie and not say that I feel the excitment of a six year old on Christmas eve when a new packet arrives at my door though....and the hunt is wonderful too.

GOETZ: K-324 ONE THOUSAND YEARS RHINELAND

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