Collection of 27 original photographs depicting Hermann Goering's new Reich Aviation Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium, or RLM)
Lichterfelde (Berlin): Köster, [1935-36]. Original photograph(s). Original photographs. Unique collection of 27 original photographs depicting outside and inside views of the newly completed Reich Aviation Ministry.
Built in the typical style of National Socialist architecture, the Reich Aviation Ministry ran for more than 820ft (250m) along Wilhelmstraße, partly on the site of the former Prussian War Ministry that had dated from 1819, and covered the full length of the block between Prinz-Albrecht-Straße and Leipziger Straße, even running along Leipziger Straße itself to join on to the Prussian Herrenhaus, the former Upper House of the Prussian Parliament. It comprised a reinforced concrete skeleton with an exterior facing of limestone and travertine (a form of marble). With its seven storeys and total floor area of 1205558 sq. ft (112,000 sq. meters), 2,800 rooms, 4.35 miles (7 kms) of corridors, over 4,000 windows, 17 stairways, and with the stone coming from no fewer than 50 quarries, the vast building served the growing bureaucracy of the Luftwaffe, plus Germany’s civil aviation authority which was also located there. Yet it took only 18 months to build, the army of laborers working double shifts and Sundays. The first 1,000 rooms were handed over in October 1935 after just eight months’ construction. When finally completed, 4,000 bureaucrats and their secretaries were employed within its walls.
The first photograph shows the plaque dated October 12, 1935, fixed inside the newly constructed building to commemorate its erection.
The following ten photographs show outside views of the building, with its courtyard, along with some ornamental details (Nazi eagles, frescoes, columns, iron gate).
The last sixteen photographs show inside views of the Reich Aviation Ministry, including several views of the Ehrensaal (Hall of Honor), with its enormous Eagle and Swastika adorning its end wall. Monumental doors with swastikas. The Reception hall, murals, etc...
Four of the photographs bear the stamp of "Foto: Köster, Lichterfelde. Potsdamerstr. 17. G8-4861" at verso, and five with the following blind stamp at lower margin: "Foto-Köster. Berlin. G3-4361." One photograph with typed caption at verso.
Each photograph is numbered in the plate, at lower left margin.
The photograph numbered 744, and showing a hall of murals is in double. One photograph depicting a mural showing August Euler's 1909 flight is foxed / stained at lower right margin. Otherwise, photographs in very good condition.
The size of the photographs varies from 8 1/2 x 5 3/4" to 9 1/2 x 7" vg. Item #44985
Price: $1,500.00