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August 10

Countess Seckendorff

In the context of the black market in World War II Paris, specifically 93 rue Lauriston (Henri Lafont and Pierre Bonny) I am trying to expand and reference the following statement from fr.wikipedia: "Countess Seckendorff, an authentic German aristocrat who spied on Parisian high society'.

A simple Google search is giving me a lot of hits about a different countess. I suspect a nomenclature problem such as I found with Illa Meery.

Article is Countesses of the Gestapo. Thank for any brain power applied to this problem.Elinruby (talk) 02:28, 10 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

The reference for that statement appears to be from Cyril Eder (2006). Les Comtesses de la Gestapo. Paris: Grasset. A description of the book is found at this site, where the countess in question is described as la comtesse Seckendorff, laquelle, autrichienne, agent double connu sous le nom de Mercedes, réussira mystérieusement à échapper à la justice française et finira dans la peau d'une pairesse d'Ecosse. Better biographical information should be found within its pages. 59.102.46.248 (talk) 12:49, 10 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

And was this one the hits that you got from your simple Google search with a different countess? "41 Avenue Foch, Comtesse Hildegard de Seckendorff, code named Mercedes, Knochen’s informer." 59.102.46.248 (talk) 13:34, 10 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

This seems to be the person in question. Born 19 February 1907 in Mayen as Hildegard von Reth, married to Graf Crato von-Seckendorff-Aberdar (1905-1960) in 1934, divorced 1936. Started working for German intelligence in 1933. Died 1989 in Warwickshire.

Also see:

Milmeister, Jean: Hildegard von Reth, Gräfin von Seckendorff "L'aventurière de Clervaux" und der SD, in: Veiner Geschichtsfrenn 2012, S. 73-81
Nagel, Hartmut: Die Spionin aus Niedermendig, in: Landkreis Mayen-Koblenz: Heimatbuch 2020, S. 179-182 (couldn't find it online)
You can also see part of the relevant chapter of the book by Cyril Eder at in the book preview on google books.

-- Random person no 362478479 (talk) 19:30, 10 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you very much people! Elinruby (talk) 15:04, 11 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, we are very much people. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 21:51, 11 August 2023 (UTC) [reply]

good to have that straight, then Elinruby (talk) 07:47, 13 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Having webbed toes, I consider myself to be of mixed ancestry, half man, half duck. My best mate is Eric.

Patterns for cosplay items...

Hi, does anyone know of any Creative Commons licensed patterns that I could adapt in order to make a cosplay style costume consisting of 3/4 sleeve, high collared neck bodice and below-knee length skirt, with a full bib/pinafore style apron? (There are some turn of the century dressmaking books on Commons, but these tend to assume a much narrow waist then would be reasonable for a modern fit.)

(Before you query I am NOT looking for a sewing pattern to make a mascot costume!) ShakespeareFan00 (talk) 19:55, 10 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Like Butterick B6229? I know that's not free, but I see it on Amazon for $10. You'd only need to adapt the sleeve length if this is right look. 70.67.193.176 (talk) 15:42, 11 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that's close, the pattern seems to be out of print though, as I can't find it on Butterick's own site. ShakespeareFan00 (talk) 16:31, 11 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

That’s too bad! If you don't want to risk the Amazon seller, could you work with Simplicity 3723 collared version, shortening the sleeve and making the skirt less full, and pair with Butterick 5509 for the apron? Apron will hide waist so it wouldn’t be obvious isn’t skirt plus blouse. 70.67.193.176 (talk) 18:32, 11 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]