Lot 715

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Description:

A LOCK OF HEINRICH HIMMLER''S HAIR, TAKEN AT HIS POST MORTEM EXAMINATION
A proof-of-death relic of one of the most heinous individuals of all times, a lock of hair taken from the head of Reichsfuhrer-SS HEINRICH HIMMLER at the time of his post-morten examination by a South African physician who attended the proceedings. The lock of fine brown hair, about 75 strands largely 3"+, are contained in a small period envelope marked: "HAIR." and "HIMMLER". This envelope is contained within a slightly larger envelope reading "H. HIMMLER Pice [sic] of HAIR". Also present is an original 5" x 6 1/2" b/w photo showing a plaster death mask taken from Himmler''s face with the atypical glasses and an eyepatch worn by him as a disguise of sorts. This photo was prepared in conjunction with the first examination of Himmler''s body, to confirm the identity, body undertaken by four British and South African medical officers at Luneburg two days after Himmler''s suicide on May 23, 1945. At some point between the time of the suicide and the transfer of the body for a full autopsy, three locks of hair were removed from Himmler''s head. One came into the possession of Dr. John St. George Glyn of Capetown, one of the four men present at the examination. Also included with the lot is a copy of a letter of provenance on Dr. Glyn''s personal correspondence card for Himmler''s post mortem report in which Glyn notes: "Report on the identification of the body of Heinrich Himmler conducted in a small house in Luneberg...The original is by Capt. Bond...". He also lists the names of the four men participating, noting that he was present as "Laboratory Assistant". Dr. John St. George Glyn (b. 1916) served as a sergeant and medic in a force of South Africans under British command. He initially served in Finland and in England, then landed with British forces on D-Day. Following Himmler''s autopsy, Glyn worked tirelessly in saving the lives of prisoners liberated at Bergen-Belsen. Our consignor is a direct descendant of Dr. Glyn. The family history was also presented on the 2009 South African television version of "Who Do You Think You Are?", a genealogical research program. During the program, Dr. Glyn''s life is discussed quite extensively, and his participation in the Himmler post-mortem examination is affirmed. Also filmed is a British Army nurse who served with Dr. Glyn from 1944 and who was invited to view Himmler''s body nearby. Glyn''s presence at the post-mortem is further corroborated on the Imperial War Museum''s catalog listing for Himmler''s death mask.

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September 14, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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