Nazi Memorabilia (Controversial Sales and Auctions).
Latest WWII news.
Nazi memorabilia store under fire, selling Nazi-era soap possible made from the remains of Holocaust victims
A Montreal store has come under fire from Jewish groups for selling Nazi memorabilia, including a bar of soap which may have been made from the remains of Holocaust victims. Inside a collectibles shop, Abraham Botines explains he bought the swastika-marked bar of soap off a soldier who found it in a concentration camp. His son Ivan said its ingredients are uncertain: "It was probably made from human fat or grease." The elder Botines, an observant Jew, has a collection of German WW2 militaria, like cigarettes, medallions and badges from the Third Reich. Both men insist they are just militaria collectors. (ctv.ca)
Nazi memorabilia on sale (and popular) in Tel Aviv - Would it be any other country everyone would yell 'anti-Semitism'
"If you buy this Nazi medal, I'll throw in the Hitler postcard at half price." At a flea market in Tel Aviv, among the antique collectables, I spot a portrait of Adolf Hitler on a stamp. Next to it are postcards sent by SS officers in the 1940s. Then I see medals, coins, banknotes – all authentic from the Third Reich. I ask if he sells SS paraphernalia. He drags out a suitcase with Nazi collectors' items: An SS first aid kit to be attached to a motorcycle, Nazi officer's watch... Overpriced? "Of course they are. The Third Reich is the king of collectibles. These are collectors' items." (ynetnews.com)
Popularity of Second World War and Nazi memorabilia dilemma for auction houses
Day by day, the heroes who served during World War II are passing away. As they do, their WW2 keepsakes and militaria are changing hands, being passed on to survivors who may choose to sell those relics. Among the items turning up at military collectibles auctions are items from Nazi Germany: Nazi flags, medals, pins, uniforms, weapons, and even armbands Jews were forced to wear. For some, this buying and selling raises ethical questions. For others it's a matter of collecting a piece of history. Auctioneer Kevin Smith reveals that when K.D. Smith Auctions in Allentown held a sale of WWII militaria hits to the sale's online listing were "astronomical." (lehighvalleylive.com)
Grandson of Rudolf Hoess tries to sell SS memorabilia to Yad Vashem
The offices of Yad Vashem got an infuriating proposal. The grandson of Rudolf Hoess, the commander of the Auschwitz death camp, offered to sell some of his grandfather's personal items. The letter to the museum, entitled "Rare objects, Auschwitz, Commander Hoess," was short: "These are several objects from the estate of Rudolf Hoess, the commander of Auschwitz: A massive, fireproof box with official insignia – a gift from Henrich Himmler, the commander of the SS... slides from Auschwitz that have never been seen publicly, letters from his period of imprisonment in Krakow. I would be very grateful for a brief answer. Sincerely, Reiner Hoess." (thebulletin.us)
The obscure journey of the Nazi tapestry commissioned by Goebbels in 1943
The German government seeks a new home for a Nazi tapestry commissioned by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. The tapestry is now property of the federal office for unresolved property issues after a court battle. The piece, about the Nibelungenlied, an epic 12th century story of dragon-slaying knights and stolen treasure, disappeared at the end of WWII. The carpet was sent to Ministry of Propaganda in 1945 in the last days of the war and fell into Allied hands - to turn up at an antiques dealer in Dresden. In the 1980s, singer Costa Cordalis bought the rug and smuggled it to West Germany - and in 2007 authorities seized the carpet from him. (reuters.com)
Unacceptable? Thousands of military history buffs collect Nazi memorabilia
Military analyst Marc Garlasco is not the first one to get bashed for collecting German WW2 militaria. Bryan Ferry was crucified for admiring the films of Leni Riefenstahl and the buildings of Albert Speer. In 1999 GQ editor James Brown had to resign after Erwin Rommel and the Nazis were in a list of the century's most stylish men. Garlasco defends his hobby: "Military history buffs collect war paraphernalia because we want to learn from the past." Militaria dealer Malcom Fisher says the collectors are basically just people with an interest in history. There is also a parallel market in reproduction militaria, like history buffs who wear uniforms at re-enactments. (bbc.co.uk)
Group suspends military analyst because of his German WW2 militaria collection
A human rights group has suspended its senior military analyst just because he is a collector of Nazi memorabilia. The group, Human Rights Watch, had at first given its support to Marc Garlasco, who has never expressed anti-Semitic views and whose hobby was inspired by a grandfather conscripted into Wehrmacht. Israeli government's attack on Garlasco - also an author about Nazi-era military medals - may have something to do with the fact that he investigated the use of white phosphorus munitions by the Israeli Army in Gaza. Israeli PM's policy director Ron Dermer stated: "We are going to dedicate time and manpower to combating these [human rights] groups." (nytimes.com)
British council candidate: I sell German militaria, but I'm not a Nazi
British National Party county council candidate Keith Beaumont, who buys and sells World War II Nazi memorabilia, plans to sue an anti-fascist campaign group for libel. "I run a small militaria business. I utterly refute any concoctions that I am or have any affiliations with neo-Nazi organisations. I am a British Nationalist and proud my father ... fought to save this country from Nazism. Just because I sell German and British WW2 militaria does not mean I am a Nazi. The BBC costumes and props department probably has the largest amount of German wartime militaria in the country. Does that mean the BBC is sympathetic to, or run by, Nazis?" (gazette-news.co.uk)
David Irving sells Nazi memorabilia online, including Hitler's hair and bones
David Irving has set up a website selling Nazi militaria which includes a piece of Adolf Hitler's bone and his hair ($180,000). Dubbed 'Naz-eBay' by some, the site also offers a walking stick used by the Nazi dictator and a baptising present given by SS leader Heinrich Himmler to Hermann Goering's daughter. Irving authenticates the Nazi relics and displays them on his website, taking a 15% commission. He is currently checking the bones of Hitler and Eva Braun for an American seller, who claims they were bought from a KGB agent in the 1980s. Dr Shimon Samuels, of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, called for a UK ban on the selling of Third Reich memorabilia. (dailymail.co.uk)
Canberrans keen to buy Nazi memorabilia for showpieces
German WW2 militaria is drawing big bucks for a Canberra antiques store - and wrath from the Jewish groups. The Canberra Antiques Centre in Fyshwick hosts a collection of Third Reich memorabilia, like Iron Cross, badges, Nazi flags and swastika-emblazoned daggers. The collection attracted collectors seeking something unusual, explained antiques dealer Virgo Lentzkow, who has been selling the controversial nazi antiques since a trip to Europe 3 years ago, and said the rarity of German militaria increased its value. His collection includes a Nazi flag flown on a battleship which fired some of the first shots in 1939 - worth $36,500. (canberratimes.com.au)
EBay removed boardgame Escape From Colditz because of a swastika on the box
Boardgame Escape From Colditz has been removed from eBay auction because of a swastika on the box. Seller Paul Ramsier got an email stating the Nazi sign was "hateful and discriminatory" and could not be shown. The 1970s game, where players try to escape the Second World War POW camp, is collectable. After 6 days up for auction bidding had reached 20 pounds. Legal representative Mr Ramsier said: "It's ridiculous and political correctness gone mad." EBay said the swastika fell foul of their racial intolerance rules but if it was covered up on the box it could be auctioned. (thesun.co.uk)
Replicas of Spitfire, Hurricanes and Lancasters losing to Nazi planes in toy sales
For decades, replicas of British warplanes have outsold Nazi planes, but now kit sales of World War II German aircraft have passed those of the Allied forces. Sales of German tanks and ships have also outsold those of the Allies. Analysis by the model maker Airfix shows that in 2008, German kits have made up 55% of the sales of all WWII kits. 1.4 million German replicas were sold, compared to 1.1 million Allied kits. Modellers believe the rise in sales of the Nazi war machines reveals an interest in the more experimental technologies used by the Germans. Most popular models are: Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109E, De Havilland Mosquito, Focke Wulf 190D. (telegraph.co.uk)
Nazi militaria in military antiques store draw criticism
Ask George Notarpole what he deals in, and he'll say history. It's even the name of his store, History by George. And while his shop features an array of military uniforms, rifles and helmets, it is a worn medal and a red cloth bearing a swastika that are drawing attention. After visiting the store Anouk Stein wrote a letter to a newspaper asking Notarpole to remove the items. This reveals the power the swastika symbol has and the tension between collectors of war memorabilia and those who fear the artifacts may be wanted by racists. "It's an artifact. There's no live connotation to it. It's history. We can't keep demonizing the German people," Notarpole said. (azcentral.com)
"Got Purge?" t-shirt, featuring Stalin, stirs up controversy
The History Students' Association (HSA) temporarily stopped the sale of one of several t-shirts amid controversy over its message. The shirt depicted Josef Stalin with the text "Got Purge?" The HSA's t-shirt is meant to satirise the "Got Milk?" series of ads, as well as reference the Great Purge that took place in the Soviet Union in the late 1930s. Sale of the t-shirts led to complaints directed towards the HSA, which argues that the shirts are not intended to offend, but are meant as a form of humourous satire. (cordweekly.com)
Auschwitz security officers arrest Nazi memorabilia dealer
Security officers in concentration camp Auschwitz arrested a man for selling Third Reich memorabilia at a bazaar. Among the nazi militaria were copies of SS and Hitler military items. The case will be taken up by prosecutors who will decide if he was promoting fascism. Polish law forbids promoting Nazi ideology, but allows the sale of historic relics, replicas and reproductions. Poland is one of Europe's biggest exporters of Nazi memorabilia. (haaretz.com)
Poland opens a probe of a Polish firm producing Nazi-era memorabilia for a German buyer
Polish prosecutors have started looking into a jewelry firm manufacturing Nazi memorabilia. The Internal Security Agency raided the company's headquarters: Among the items found were Nazi replicas including SS emblems, swastika armbands, military insignia and SS rings with skulls. The distribution or wearing of Nazi-era symbols is banned in Germany, but it's legal to produce such WW2 and German militaria for the needs of film producers or collectors. Poland is Europe's biggest producer and exporter of Nazi memorabilia: A complete SS officer's uniform goes for 890 euros. Polish law forbids promoting Nazi ideology, but not selling militaria or reproductions. (dw-world.de)
Poland is the biggest producer and exporter of Nazi memorabilia
Poland is Europe's biggest producer and exporter of Nazi memorabilia, Polska daily reported. Buying Nazi signs, symbols and militaria is against the law in many countries, but allowed in Poland - as law forbids promoting Nazi ideology, but not selling historic mementos, replicas or reproductions. SS emblems and swastika armbands can be purchased at markets in Polish cities. The online business is also flourishing, with one Polish auction website selling 600 items. A complete SS officer's uniform goes for 1,400 dollars, while iron cross medals cost 7 dollars and are in many cases sold in bulk. (earthtimes.org)
Card game "The Fuehrer Quartett", featuring the great dictators, stirring Germany
A card game featuring 32 great dictators is causing a stir in Germany. The creators said they wanted to 'make an ironic statement' about the dictators, but not everyone gets the joke. The Fuehrer Quartett is based on a popular German card game Quartett, but with a difference. Instead of cars the cards present pictures and info on figures such as Hitler, Stalin, Franco and Mussolini. Each card features one dictator, the country, his background and how long he ruled. For Augusto Pinochet of Chile the card says he demolished a democratic system with help from the U.S., but rebuilt another one later, only to be overthrew by it. (dailymail.co.uk/)
Spanish neo-Nazi bookstore: I can take Nazi videos and Nazi music, but Nazi books?
I came to Barcelona on a skipped heartbeat. I fell in love with a woman who lived there, and I decided to move to Spain. But when I arrived my heart skipped another beat: there were swastikas everywhere. Much to my surprise, the Nazi issue was very much alive on the walls of Barcelona, which has the "honor" of being home to Europe's most notorious neo-Nazi bookstore "Europa Bookstore: Persecuted Books - The Truth Will Set You Free." A bookstore full of Nazi-phile content is a vulgar view for a Jewish writer. I can take Nazi speeches, Nazi videos and Nazi music. But Nazi books? (Roi Ben-Yehuda )
Arizonan Dieter Bueschgen is a major racist paraphernalia dealer
Dieter Bueschgen, 69, is seated with a Luger semi-automatic pistol on the end table, close at hand. A Mauser rifle is against a display case holding his collection of Viking ship models and German beer steins. He's wearing a sweat suit and a lot of jewelry, like a gold Odin's hammer pendant and silver ring fashioned into an SS Totenkopf death's head. Since the mid-1990s, he has been a grandfather figure to neo-Nazis, and one of the biggest dealers of World War II-era Nazi memorabilia in the western United States. One entire wall is stocked with Hitler-Jugend odds and ends, belt buckles, armbands and merit badges. (splcenter)
District Council bans WW2 militaria trader from selling Nazi memorabilia
Council chiefs have banned market trader John Stokoe from selling German WW2 militaria, because of fear of complaints. Robert McMullem said Stokoe can sell military collectables, as long as it was not Nazi militaria. "That is most of the stuff I sell. So there's no point being there without it," said Stokoe, who had run the stall for 2 years and had only one complaint: from a member of the council. There was only one SS flag and an armband with a swastika, among items like medals and books. Stokoe often attends memorabilia fares, where large amounts of Nazi militaria is on offer and his stall trade has not drawn criticism before. (sunderlandecho)
For sale: Nazi memorabilia, like Nazi flags, in rural Australia (Article no longer available from the original source)
Jewish holidaymakers venturing out of Sydney were aghast to come upon overt Nazi memorabilia on sale at 3 different venues in rural New South Wales. Along with Marilyn Monroe and Harley Davidson memorabilia, the BP Legends Cafe presents swastikas, Nazi flags and other "hate items" (or German militaria for some), all forming part of what the cafe's website calls "interesting" collectables and memorabilia. The owner told that the swastikas were "not in full view of the general public, but were in cabinets". He said that it is usually bikies who buy the swastikas, and he has been selling Nazi regalia for years and that he harbours no bias towards any group. (ajn)
Jewish antiques dealer selling Nazi memorabilia like swastika banners (Article no longer available from the original source)
A London antiques dealer has defended selling Nazi memorabilia, including German caps. Leon Shrier, who owns Leon's Militaria, said the Nazi militaria was "not my favourite", but they "show various aspects of the war" and that "hiding history or not explaining it doesn`t help" and "my customers are genuine collectors". He said that many other dealers sold Nazi items: "Today Wallis and Wallis are having a sale of German items, including silverware with AH on it... If you look at magazine such as The Armourer, you will see lots of adverts from dealers showing swastikas, Iron Crosses and SS stripes - my advert doesn`t." (thejc)
Nazi chess sets on sale: Third Reich soldiers, Adolf Hitler as the king
The figures of Third Reich soldiers - Adolf Hitler as the king - were found in the Grand Bizarre of Istanbul by the holidaymaker, who told: "I was shocked, angry and outraged. ... much more sensitivity to the realities of the Holocaust and the evil symbolism of the swastika should be appreciated." (TJ)
Newbury Nazi auction: SS uniform, Nazi daggers and officers swords
A collection of Nazi memorabilia is going under the hammer at Donnington auction house Dreweatt Neate. The firm said it expected militaria collectors to approach the auction, which could attract worldwide interest. Bruce Cairnduff: "If we have upset some people we apologise. But if you are offended, then do not attend the auction. With WWII still relatively fresh in our minds, collectors approach items from the German Third Reich with slightly more trepidation." Nazi militaria include an SS officer's uniform and a formal silver service designed and manufactured for Adolf Hitler's personal use. (newburytoday)
Israelis trade in Nazi memorabilia, SS uniforms and military citations
While Israel reels from the arrest of a neo-Nazi cell, an underground trade of Holocaust-era German militaria continues to thrive. Bravery citations, id papers, handguns, SS daggers, helmets and other wartime mementos belonging to Third Reich soldiers have been the highlights of secretive auctions over the past 10 years. An SS uniform can cost $1,500-$10,000, Third Reich medals and citations $100-$200 and helmets up to $1,500. The practice continues to be shrouded in silence and few are willing to share light in their hobby. (ynetnews)
T-shirt shock: Nazi salute, map, text "Hitler's European Tour 1939-1945"
A holocaust survivor George Clare, who lost both his parents in the atrocity, has hit out at the traders selling a Adolf Hitler T-shirt in Camden Town. £5 T-shirt displays the nazi dictator making a Nazi salute and a map of Europe with the heading "Hitler's European Tour 1939-1945". He said: "The T-shirt glorifies the biggest criminal of the last century. And why? And for what? How can the British glorify the worst enemy that they have ever had? When idiots never die out, nor do the criminals." Town Councillor Pat Callaghan said: "I find it sick that some people can find something like that amusing. I think it's an appalling lack of sensitivity." (hamhigh)
Nazi insignia allowed -- Anti-Nazi swastika OK (Article no longer available from the original source)
Germany's highest judicial court scrapped a ruling against a man convicted of breaching a ban on Nazi symbols by selling T-shirts with a crossed-out swastika. Juergen Kamm had been fined 3600 euros for "selling unconstitutional symbols." But the federal court of justice found that Kamm had committed no crime because the items he sold clearly carried an anti-Nazi message. The court did not believe that its ruling would be exploited by rightwingers as a loophole enabling them to wear Nazi insignia: "They will not wear Nazi insignia that have been corrupted in this way because they will see it as a travesty of something that they regard as 'holy.'" (int)
Fines for seller of anti-neo Nazi shirts and badges
German judge fined the seller of a range of anti-neo Nazi t-shirts and badges because the products bear the infamous swastika symbol: with a large red line through it. The logo is a popular image among left-wing activists and anti-neo Nazi campaigners and can be purchased on lapel-pins and items of clothing. However, Wolfgang Kuellmer ruled that its increasing popularity risked making the Nazi hooked cross acceptable again in Germany, over 60 years after it was outlawed following Adolf Hitler`s defeat. "This mass market business risked undermining its taboo status." (gulf-times)
Dutch Company Selling Nazi Helmets As Joke
A Dutch company is selling replica Nazi helmets bearing pro-Dutch slogans in an early attempt to cash in on German-Dutch rivalry going into World Cup in Germany. The orange plastic helmets, which cost euro5 (US$6), have small Dutch flags printed on the side and bear slogans such as "Attack!" and "Go, Netherlands Go" in Dutch. The Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during WWII is still a sensitive subject 60 years later. (espn.go.com)
A watercolor by Hitler for sale on Ebay-Austria
A painting titled "Muenchen," (Munich) bearing the signature of the former Nazi dictator and described by the seller as a "rarity", was put up for auction at an asking price of 2,100 euros on eBay.at. Another watercolor by Hitler, titled "Bad Gastein," received at least 25 bids before selling for more than 4,500 euros. Austrian-born Hitler famously had ambitions to become an artist and was turned down by the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. His production of paintings and sketches was prolific but experts see little artistic merit in them and major auction-houses shy away from them because of their author's bloodstained career. (sawf)