This new original pencil drawing is simply outstanding and a testament to the level of skill that Richard has developed. The piece is quadruple matted to conservation standards to include a museum quality reproduction of the Army Panzer Assault badge – awarded to gun crews and Panzer grenadiers for participation in three separate combat engagements.
Also included in the 13" x 16" matte is the original signature of the man more synonymous with German heavy armour than any other - the legendary military commander ERWIN ROMMEL.
The original pencil drawing that accompanies the Tribute Edition of Holding the Line.
1 Original Pencil Drawing w/ Rommel Signature....$2150 (Sold)
Overall size: 35" x 21.5" (all except for original pencil)
Image size: 28.25” x 15.75”
Situation: Skillfully led by their mercurial commander, SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann, the Tiger Tanks of s.SS-Pz. Abt. 101 blaze through a shattered French village in the days following D-Day, June, 1944. Their destination – Normandy!
Every print in the Limited Edition, Artist Proof Edition, and Remarque Editions have been personally signed by the artist, Richard Taylor , together with THREE veterans of German Panzer units during WWII.
THE TRIBUTE PROOFS - Richard Taylor has created ten substantial and unique original pencil drawings, supreme examples of the artist’s breath-taking skill. Each drawing is signed by a further SIX World War II Panzer Commanders and crew – all holders of the coveted Knight’s Cross, making a total of NINE signatures in total. This is an unrivalled piece for true collectors of modern military history.
Obergefreiter HENRY METELMANN - called up in 1941 he joined the 22nd Panzer Division as a tank crew member serving in the Crimea during the winter of 1941, the first of many tank battles including the battle of Stalingrad. After evading capture in 1944 he joined a Panzer Division in the west, defending the Rhine against Patton’s US 3rd Army.
Feldwebel HEINZ FELLBRICH - a veteran of the German Normandy campaign he served as a Paratrooper providing ground support for various Armoured Panzer Divisions including Tiger Tank units.
Sturmann KARL-HEINZ DECKER - joining the German Army in 1943 he trained as a tank crewman and transferred to the 12th Waffen SS Panzer Division in Belgium in 1944. Staying with this elite unit in France during the Allied Invasion he fought throughout the Normandy campaign, on D-Day, at Falaise and was eventually taken POW.
The Tribute Proofs
The three above plus:
OTTO CARIUS - German Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves
GERHARD FISCHER - German Army – Knight’s Cross
WALTHER GIRG - Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves
RICHARD RUDOLF - Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross
NORBERT KUJACINSKI - German Army – Knight’s Cross
ALBERT KERSCHER - Germany Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves
