Lot 1044

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

ADOLF HITLER''S COPY OF "MEIN KAMPF", CAPTURED BY AN AMERICAN OFFICER AT THE BERGHOF
A most important relic epitomizing the rise and fall of the world''s most notorious dictator, a battered copy of Adolf Hitler''s political manifesto "Mein Kampf", taken by a decorated American officer from the ruins of the Berghof, Hitler''s vacation retreat at Berchtesgaden. This 1926 rare limited edition was printed by Verlag Franz Eher, the official NSDAP printers located in Munich. There are 292 octavo pages plus notices of other NSDAP publications in the rear of the book, and a frontis portrait shows Hitler in a left profile. The volume is representative of what war-torn Germany was like when the book was captured: the red cloth and gilt-titled covers are heavily chpped and worn at the edges, with tears and chips along the spine, the spine is coming loose from the rest of the book, and a few pages are disbound; overall the book shows evidence of initial water damage and then rather unprofessional handling but the contents are excellent. This historic piece is accompanied by an originally unused envelope also taken from the Berghof, imprinted: "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Fuhrer", a position held by Gen. Wilhelm Burgdorf. The front of the envelope bears handwriting in cursive English: "From Hitlers Headquarters near Berchtesgaden 6 May 1945" The handwriting is in the hand of COL. LESLIE E. JACOBY (b. 1900), a West Point graduate who was commander of the distinguished 5th Tank Destroyer Group. His unit left Munich on May 5th and made directly for Berchtesgaden where it arrived the day after the town was taken...and the day he captured this relic. Additionally, this book is from the same edition as the one found in his Munich apartment and auctioned by Alexander Historical Auctions early in 2016 for over $20,000. Much provenance accompanies the book: a signed original 2001 letter of provenance from Jacoby''s son; Jacoby''s May 6, 1945 letter on captured "Adjutant der Wehrmacht" envelope to his father mentioning mentioning this book and its limitation number, original May 11, 1945 letter and envelope on Martin Bormann stationery to his parents describing crossing Germany and visiting the Eagle''s Nest; an original letter to his parents on captured Adolf Hitler letterhead (taken from Berchtesgaden), Salzburg, May 18, 1945 mentioning the Berghof, the Platterhof, the Eagle''s Nest ("I expect in the future the place will become a tourist attraction..."); original "capture" papers showing Jacoby''s sending relics home, original war-date photo of Jacoby and ruins in Nuremberg with original July 1, 1945 letter mentioning them; Jacoby''s Silver Star citation (carbon); 5th Tank Destroyer Group immediate post-war histories with foreword by Jacoby and original ink portrait used therein, and much more. A most demonstrative relic of the fall of the Third Reich.
-

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, 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 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

February 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% 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 + $10,000