Platterhof Silver find.

[Dave_Holden]

Hello all.

On my recent trip to Berchtesgaden I was offered this wooden crate of silver from the Platterhof Hotel - it now sits in my bunker and what a fine collection it is. There are other crates out there that will surface soon, some containing original wall lights and the very rare tall coffee pots which are incredibly hard to find in recent years.

I am very happy with this find as it was not expensive and the great hotels quality certainly speaks for itself!! I particularly like the silver ice-cream dishes tilted slightly so the ice-cream melts towards the patron, and small porcelain creamer jugs -beautiful items.

Its all marked Gebruder Hepp Pforzheim & Gebr. Hepp 90.

I will have more time this coming weekend to post more of the photos and items I found, I am running as usual but will make time on Saturday to sit down and fill out our pages. Have a nice oil painting to show you and a very, very special musical item from the Speer House.

A little history:

On 20 June 1936 the Nazi Party took possession of the Hotel Platterhof. During the next years the entire hotel was renovated and a great many buildings were torn down. The only exception was the original ground floor of the old Pension. The Skyline Room was added and the bed capacity raised to 200. It became among the most modern and luxurious hotels in Europe. Additionally, as part of the renovations and construction, the Platterhof was connected to other official buildings and retreats used by the Nazi party through a series of bunkers and tunnels.

Ideally designed to be a national hotel, it served primarily as secluded sanctuary for high-ranking Nazi dignitaries and high-profile guests. Lavish parties and state functions were hosted at the Platterhof, and it was prized for the pristine beauty and protection offered by the towering Alps. By 1943 however, the direction of the war required that the Platterhof be utilized as a military hospital.

Following the Berchtesgaden/Obersalzberg bombing raid of April 1945, the heavily damaged Platterhof stood vacant and crumbling for a number of years. The US Army rebuilt the hotel in 1952 and designated it an Armed Forces Recreation Center. Many original fixtures, furnishings and design pieces taken from the Platterhof, and other notable Reich buildings in the area were used in the reconstruction and the hotel, now renamed after General Walker, was again restored to its status as one of Europe's grandest hotels.

The General Walker Hotel remained in operation until the property was returned to the German government in 1995. The United States military had come to the decision to close and consolidate all of the AFRC hotels in southern Germany into one central facility in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, opened in 2004. Prior to the General Walker hotel's final destruction in 2000, many of the historical and highly valuable furnishings and fixtures were plundered from the abandoned building.

Only a small ruin of a building remains, and a section of wall from the Skyline Room. The site of the hotel has been turned into a parking lot - (courtesy of WIKIPEDIA).

Its a real crime what happened to this hotel, but many items from the internal areas can still be found.

Some may disagree, but it was my decision to clean the silver, as I have no intention in the immediate future to sell any of it. It was ALL very black when I took it from the box, but has cleaned up to look like almost new. One day I plan to sit down and eat from it all

[pepe le pew]

Very nice Dave, do you not have any trouble getting this stuff back through customs ? :o

[Kevin]

That's beautiful silverware Dave.

[Dave_Holden]

Very nice Dave, do you not have any trouble getting this stuff back through customs ? :o

Well Geof there are no borders in Germany, Austria and Hungary!! I just load up the car and that's that!!

[Patrick Lewis]

Very historic items Dave, you are always impressing us!

Patrick

[Dave_Holden]

I know another full box of silver rom the hotel, but as yet its not for sale. Along with it comes a few wall lamps which really do need a heavy cleaning - I have seen these and really should have bought them at the time as the asking price was only EURO 150.00. The same style of lamps are shown in the below picture. If they are still there when I return, I will have them:

[The Devil's Bank]

I love those wall Lamps Dave, I'd love to own a original one, just like that one on the wall.

[Dave_Holden]

I tell you what Pete if they are in Berchtesgaden next time I go, I will get you one. I had them in my hand and saw about 10 pieces, but seriously in need of a brasso :-B

[ErichS]

My one and only piece from the Platterhof.

[Dave_Holden]

A very nice piece Erich. Either coffee or tea for a single serving, personally I think these were for coffee. Top quality and as you know, solid and heavy. :thumbsup:

[ErichS]

Yes it fits well with my AH silver service.

[The Devil's Bank]

I tell you what Pete if they are in Berchtesgaden next time I go, I will get you one. I had them in my hand and saw about 10 pieces, but seriously in need of a brasso :-B

Many thanks my friend.. ^:)^

[Dave_Holden]

I love those wall Lamps Dave, I'd love to own a original one, just like that one on the wall.

Hey Pete - my good friends in Berchtesgaden have another box of the old lamps from the Platterhof, they need a bit of work to restore, but I hope to see them early next year - keep you informed :thumbsup:

Cheers

Dave.

[The Devil's Bank]

Cheers Dave :thumbsup:

[85ronnies]

Hmmm sounds like i will have to take a suitcase with me this time, I will bring it home for you Pete :thumbsup: (maybe one for myself aswell) :grin: i remember looking at some of these Dave when we were in the car park, great items mate :thumbsup:

leave the smelly socks and y's in berchy mate , fill it with trinkets :lol:

[Dave_Holden]

That would be great Ron if you could take a couple home. I am going to try and get something set up for the trip, keep you informed.

Cheers

Dave.

[EwanS]

cool items Dave steeped in History man :!:

even to own one piece would be cool :!:

you have enough to open a B&B :shock: :lol:

[PHILBROWN]

ewan, just come to berchy, dave got a boot load of this and we all had hands on, remember lovejoy in old gorings farm :thumbsup: you guys really dont know what daves contacts are :thumbsup:

[Dave_Holden]

Thanks for the comments Gents - I honestly appreciate it. On Christmas morning I am going to have my coffee from one of the Platterhof pots and toast and German jam from the silver plate :thumbsup:

I will post photos.

Cheers Dave and a very Merry Jultide to you all!!! (%)

[Andyb]

You are one lucky son of a woof woof =)) :thumbsup:

[Dave_Holden]

You are one lucky son of a woof woof =)) :thumbsup:

Yes agreed Andy - I do count my blessings and try and give something back, must have done something good in a previous life :thumbsup:

[EwanS]

ewan, just come to berchy, dave got a boot load of this and we all had hands on, remember lovejoy in old gorings farm :thumbsup: you guys really dont know what daves contacts are :thumbsup:

this we really do mate ;)

:thumbsup:

[Dave_Holden]

Got a call the other night and another 2 wooden boxes of Platterhof items have surfaced - plates, gravy boats, salt & pepper etc. I have no time at present to go to Berchtesgaden but plan a visit in near future. Present stuff found in a garage, owner died and the relatives want to move on - same old story :|

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Really interesting thread this one. Did anyone do anything with those lights? Repurpose them and use them as lamps again? Regards Mark.

[Dave_Holden]

I had them in my hand and should have snapped them up there and then. When I am back there if I get a chance I shall have them if they are still around.

[The Devil's Bank]

"I had them in my hand and should have snapped them up there and then. When I am back there if I get a chance I shall have them if they are still around."

I still would love one/two, imagine having that lit up :ymparty:

[Dave_Holden]

I still know you want one of these Pete and for sure I will get you one if I can. Problem is I have to be there in person these days, there have been many problems with other dealers ripping off my good freinds. Leave it with me.

[The Devil's Bank]

No rush Dave, I'm sure a nice chap like yourself will get the job done :ymhug: =))