German Cruiser Karlsruhe 1936 West Coast Mementos

Updated August 26, 2026

Original mementos associated with the German cruiser Karlsruhe’s 1936 tour of the US west coast. Included are two commemorative cards, each with black-and-white photographic prints of the cruiser at sea and handwritten dedications dated April 1936,referencing San Diego and San Francisco stops. Two cap tallies bearing "Kreuzer Karlsruhe" in gold script are present—one preserved in immaculate condition with its original protective paper wrapping. The set also contains a period envelope addressed to Youngstown, Ohio, with a cruise-related cachet, as well as correspondence and period ephemera related to the voyage. Additional items visible in images include a CD and various papers. Condition details show light age wear to paper items; thetallies show clear lettering. This is a representative group documenting a notable moment in pre-war German naval history.

More lots in this auction

• WWII German Dienstglas 7x50 Binoculars by Leitz
• Post-WWII German DJV Hunting Cutlass
• Hensoldt Wetzlar 8x30 Binoculars with Case
• WWII German Red Cross DRK Leather Medical Satchel
• WWI German Bayern Thaler Commemorative Pic Locket
• WWII Third Reich Canvas Artillery Rucksack M44
• Cased Carl Zeiss Jena 8x30 Deltrintem Binoculars
• WWII German Mountain Trooper Two-Pocket Rucksack

See all lots in The Bagale Collection, Session V – Archives & Militaria →