Original Item: Only One Available. Founded on 24 May 1903, at the then Hotel Silber in Stuttgart, ADAC was originally named Deutsche Motorradfahrer-Vereinigung (German Motorcyclist Association) and re-named Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) in 1911. Originally, the Prussian eagle was selected as the emblem in the club’s badge in appreciation of the Prussian royal family’s support and patronage. Its most senior figure at the time was German Emperor and King of Prussia Wilhelm II.

The ADAC break-down assistance service was launched in Germany in 1927.

After 1933, in the process of NSDAP buildups – a.k.a. Gleichschaltung – of German society, the NSDAP amalgamated all motoring organizations in Germany in the DDAC (Der Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V.), an umbrella association that was allowed to exist in the shadow of the NSKK (National Socialist Motor Corps). A DDAC appeal described the 1934 international Automobile Exhibition as a “show for the people'' rather than an “exhibition for the more affluent bourgeois segment” of society. “Motoring for the people” (Volkskraftfahrt), it proclaimed, was more “in the spirit of the Führer”.

This is a beautiful example of an unissued appearing ADAC sports badge. Constructed of a nickel plated non-magnetic alloy, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a German national eagle and initials “ADAC” for Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (General German Automobile Club), the reverse with a vertical pinback meeting a round hinge with a functional locking mechanism and is unmarked.

Accompany this beautiful badge is the period original presentation case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux gray leather exterior, with a padded white satin-type lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted dark gray velvet medal bed, opening with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional metal hinge. The lid liner is marked with:

ALLGEMEINER
DEUTSCHER AUTOMOBIL-CLUB E.V.
SITZ: MÜNCHEN

The bottom of the box is marked with the maker’s mark of:

E. FERD. WIEDMANN
METALLWARENFABRIK
FRANKFURT-A.M. SÜD”

This is a wonderful cased badge with the only discrepancies would be minor fading to the case satin and velvet lining and wear marks on the exterior. The badge itself is mint and absolutely beautiful.

Comes ready to display!