Description:

A CATHOLIC TEXT FOUND IN HERMANN GORING'S BERCHTESGADEN HOME
A fine relic recovered from the Berchtesgaden retreat of Reischsmarshal HERMANN GORING (1893-1946), titled: 'The Holy Family. Jesus! Mary! Joseph! Our protection in life! Our comfort in death! Excerpt from the Great Life of Christ!' by 'Father Martin of Cochem, Capuchin Order [Catholic]', [Munich: Commissions-Verlag Herzog], ca. 1888. Hardcover, 954pp. 8.75 x 12.25 in. Gothic script, with numerous illustrations and decorations. Heavily worn, lacking spine cover, covers worn and coming loose, contents generally very good with a few pages within bearing clean tears. Family register bears several illegible entries. The front flyleaf bears a light pencil note at top: 'From Goring's Villa'. Accompanied by an affidavit from the soldier who found the text in Goring's home, Major Joseph A. Gilchrist, Jr. In his 1982 statement (included), Gilchrist writes in part: '... I am a 1928 graduate of Yale University and am presently retired. On or about April 25, 1945, I was serving as a Major in the United States Army, attached to the XXI Corps. At that time, I had occasion to enter the area of the so-called 'Eagle's Nest,' Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat. The area was secured by U.S. Army G-2 (Intelligence) troops. While in this area, I visited both Hitler's headquarters and a villa nearby used by Hermann Goering, commander of the German Luftwaffe The attached book, Bible [sic], was removed by me personally from Goering's villa and has been in my possession exclusively since April, 1945...' Gilchrist's obituary further notes: '...[He] joined the 1st Cleveland Cavalry in Cleveland and served in the Army in Germany in World War II, attaining the rank of Major. He worked for many years for Sweet Briar College, beginning as Superintendent of the Farm in 1947, and becoming Director of Natural Resources in 1965. He retired in 1971 and moved to Lynchburg where he continued to serve the college in a consulting capacity. He was an active member of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church where he served as a member of the vestry...' Interestingly, Goring was raised in the castle which belonged to his godfather, Ritter von Epenstein, who was also the lover of Goring's mother. Ironically, Epenstein, a Roman Catholic, was of Jewish descent. Goring himself was raised as a Catholic but was not a devout churchgoer. Whether this text belonged to Goring himself or a member of his entourage or staff is unknown.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000