Description:

ADOLF HITLER BUYS A TOURING CAR, WITH FOUR SIGNED SIGHT DRAFTS
Superlative set of five documents in which Adolf Hitler purchases for himself a Mercedes Benz touring car and pays for it with four signed "Wechsels", or sight drafts, over the next few months. The first document in the group is a partly-printed D.S., a Daimler-Benz corporation order form for a Mercedes Benz automobile, 4pp. legal folio, Stuttgart, Jan. 29, 1929, an original signed carbon purchase order for a six cylinder convertible touring car, signed by Hitler at conclusion. Hitler requests that the car be dark blue and fitted with black leather seats, rubberized cloth convertible top ("rubberduck"), left-hand steering, turn signals, wood spokes, folding armrests, no emergency seats, spares in front, and Zeiss headlights. In a holograph initialed addition (not in Hitler's hand) it is further instructed that the car not be fitted with bumpers. Delivery is promised in three to four weeks in Munich, and the price is agreed at 13,000 reichsmarks. Payment terms are set forth at bottom, to be made over a period of 17 months. Signed in full by Hitler at bottom of third page. The contract is accompanied by four partly printed sight drafts, each of which has also been boldly signed by Hitler in full, though in these examples more carefully spelling out his name. Each sight draft is 1p. 11 1/2" x 4 3/4", issued in Stuttgart, dated Mar. 23, 1929, June 20, 1929, Aug. 29, 1929 and Nov. 28, 1929, and payable in the amounts of RM 4,000, and RM 3,000 each respectively. The total of these notes is RM 13,000, the cost of the vehicle. Each is signed vertically by Hitler as guarantor, making the draft payable. All documents have file holes which do not detract, otherwise fine condition. Hitler always had a penchant for fine automobiles, and even developed high-performance race cars for propaganda purposes. This vehicle may even be the same in one in which Hitler received a speeding ticket in the tiny hamlet of Baar-Ebenhausen on Sep. 19, 1931 for travelling twice the limit - a little over 30 mph. His defense was that he was not the driver, but rather Julius Schreck, his "lookalike"! His reason for speeding? Possibly his distress over the suicide of his lover, Geli Raubal, who had killed herself the day before.

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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