7185 - Walther Funk Autograph Document Signed, Naming His Preferred Attorney for the Nuremberg Trials

Walther Funk Autograph Document Signed, Naming His Preferred Attorney for the Nuremberg Trials ADS in pencil, in German, signed "Walther Funk," one page, 8 x 10.5, no date but circa 1945. Funk addresses the General Secretary of the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, in part (translated): "Subject: retaining legal counsel in the trial which has been opened against me. I request that I may retain as my counsel: 1) Attorney Dr. Franz Ludwig, Breslau...formerly a major in the Heereswaffenamt...Or, if he is not available: 2) Attorney Professor Dr. Friedrich Grimm, Berlin and Essen...Or, in case he is also not available, as substitutes: 3) one of the lawyers on this list: Gustaf von Scanzoni (Munich), Fritz Sautter (Munich), Moessmer (Munich)." Backed by lightweight cardstock and in fine condition. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation. Funk submitted this request while indicted before the International Military Tribunal as one of the principal economic officials of Nazi Germany. As Reich Minister of Economics and president of the Reichsbank, he faced prosecution over his role in the economic exploitation of occupied Europe and the Reichsbank’s receipt of valuables seized from concentration camp victims, including jewelry, currency, and dental gold. Significantly, one of the attorneys Funk named in this January 1946 request, Dr. Fritz Sauter, ultimately served as his defense counsel during the Nuremberg proceedings. Funk was convicted of crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment, making this document a direct record of his efforts to secure representation during the trial that would determine his fate.