Desk of Peter & Christabel Bielenberg. (1327)

A very good, large & heavy 1950’s Bleached Walnut & Beech knee-hole desk in the Continental ‘Modernistic’ style of the period. Probably German. Twin locking cupboards, the left incorporating four deep drawers, the right with an internal shelf. Large locking central drawer above the deep knee-hole space. All with keys. Original condition.

Size: 63ins wide x 32ins deep x 30.5ins high (inches).

Stock(SKU)No.1327

History:

A German lawyer, Peter Bielenburge was a member of the Second World War German resistance group which was brutally smashed when in 1944 the bomb plot against Hitler failed. Arrested and interrogated at length by the the Gestapo his life was saved by the brave intervention of his Anglo-Irish wife Christabel. He was sent first to Ravensbruck concentration camp and then to a Gestapo punishment squad from where he later escaped. The other conspirators being rounded up, tortured and hanged slowly by piano wire & filmed for Hitler to watch later. After his escape he continued to aid German resistance against Hitler whilst in hiding.

After the war Peter & Christabel moved to Munny House, Co. Carlow, Ireland and took up farming. Christabel writing two books ‘The Past is Myself’ about the plot & Peter’s escape and later ‘The Road Ahead’ The former book being dramatised as a BBC mini-series in 1988 staring Elizabeth Hurley.

Peter Bielenburge died in 2001 aged 89 and his desk was then given to his close friend and medical adviser by Christabel.

Original letters and provenance will be given to purchaser.

Please Note: The walnut desk chair shown in the photograph is not from the Bielenberg Estate.