BACKGROUND: The RMBO, "Reichsministerium für die Besetzten Ostgebiete" (State-ministry for the Occupied Eastern-territories), was created soon after the invasion of Russia, with Alfred Rosenberg as its head. Originally envisioned as the medium to create an eventual German-Russian cooperative government, conflicts and intrigues between the RMBO and, particularly, the SS, led to the ministry instead supervising forced labor, the shipment of food produced in the territories to Germany, and the plunder of valuables from individuals and museums.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very scarce RMBO officials service tunic. The fabric of the tunic is very interesting, late war, re-worked brown wool. Single-breasted tunic with a pleated patch pocket to each breast, both with straight flaps secured by a single button, and two patch hip pockets, both with slanted-edged flaps and single buttons. Kvk ribbon is still attached to the button hole. Its four button front closure leads up to fold-back lapels and a lay-down collar. The political buttons are maker marked maker marked "BS" and retains all of their original finish and stitching. The tunics left sleeve still retains its original RMBO eagle whose spread wings have a span of 4", clutching a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons, all in machine woven silver-grey threads against a medium brown wool backing. Collar is piped in celleon while the cuff tops are piped in silver wire. Both of its cuffs are the folded-back "French" variety, 16cm tall. A 18cm tall tail skirt vent rises from the base of the reverse. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in a high quality ribbed rayon material. The sleeves of the tunic are lined in white rayon with grey pin stripes. Very nice makers label is still located on the interior breast pocket "Schroedter & Co Berlin". Inertial dagger hanger is still present. Tunic shows the normal aging that you expect to see, but overall excellent condition. Roughly a size 40 chest. Exceptional and scarce.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $1,785.00