Guide to the Papers of R. Selkirk Panton [MSS 342]

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Manuscript Name Papers of R. Selkirk Panton
Manuscript Number MSS 342
Last Updated October 2021
Extent 5 cm (1 box)
Location Special Collections, UNSW Canberra
Abstract This collection comprises World War 2 German memorabilia collected by R. Selkirk Panton, including a small number of items autographed by Adolf Hitler and H. Himmler, together with medals.

Scope and Content

This collection comprises World War 2 German memorabilia collected by R. Selkirk Panton, including a small number of items autographed by Adolf Hitler and H. Himmler, together with medals. The items were given to Commander Francois Van Der Berg by Nina Panton, widow of R. Panton, who was a political correspondent in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.

Date Range of Content

1939-1944

Organization

The collection has been arranged in box then folder order.

Biographical Note

Ronald Selkirk Panton, born in Sydney, was for 22 years the chief foreign correspondent for the London Daily express in Germany and Central Europe and later wrote on foreign affairs for the Sydney Sun. He was interned in the German prison camp Store Grundet in Denmark from 1940 to 1945, and from 1945 to 1946 was the only Australian journalist present at the Nuremberg Trials, recording the events and witnessing the execution of those sentenced to death.

References:
Papers of R. Selkirk Panton, National Library, MS 5808.

Administrative Information

Access

The collection is available for research.

Restrictions on Use

No copying is permitted without the permission of the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Papers of R. Selkirk, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, MSS 342, Series [Number], Folder [Number].

Provenance

The collection was acquired by the Academy Library, UNSW Canberra from Francois R. Van Der Berg in 1995.

Additional Information

Separated Material

Further papers of R. Selkirk Panton are held by the National Library, in the Papers of R. Selkirk Panton, 1921-1971 at MS 5808.

Access Terms

Personal Names

Panton, R. Selkirk, 1907-1975 -- Archives.

Topical Subjects

World War, 1939-1945 -- Germany.

Military paraphernalia -- Collectors and collecting.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Medals -- Germany.

Occupations

Journalists

War correspondents

Container List

Box 1

Folio 1
Memorabilia, 1939-1944

Including:
Christmas card signed by Hitler, dated December 1942 - gild edged and gold stamped with the personal seal of Adolf Hitler

Vellum folder with gilt Fuhrer's Seal

'Appointment for the Order of German Eagle' - printed document pre-signed A. Hitler, embossed with the Great Seal (name of recipient not filled in)

Hitler's personal stationery, embossed with his personal seal; the printed wording is Kanzlei des Fuhrers der NSDRF, Berlin W 8 den...(1 p.)

The Reich Leader SS, Field Command Post, 16.9.1943, To the S.S. Group Leader and Lt General of the Police Gunther Pancke (S.S. No. 10 110) relieving him from 15 September 1943, until further notice, of your position of Senior S.S. and Police Director and Director of the S.S. Central Superintendent's Division and Appoint you Director in the Reich Leader S.S. Head-quarters - original typescript signed The Reich Leader S.S. H. Himmler (1 p.), together with a black and white photograph

Printed postcard from Himmler, addressed to 'Dear parents, wives and children, fiancee's, brothers and sisters (of) our fallen S.S. men!' To you, the kindred of our fallen dear comrades, you who belong to our great family of the S.S. I convey my heartiest wishes for Yuletide and for the year 1945. Heil Hitler!, signed H. Himmler, Field Command Post, December, 1944 - signature in printed facsimile

Postcard commemorating Hitler's 50th birthday, featuring his photograph, with circular date stamp for Berlin, dated 20.4.39, addressed to Mr and Mrs L.S. Panton, 350 George Street, Sydney, Australien, with a brief message on the back, signed Rony

English translation and photographs of items

Folder 2
Iron Cross, 2nd Class, obverse dated 1939, reverse dated 1813

Folder 3
Knight's Cross with Crossed Swords