Description:

ADOLF HITLER WARTIME DRAWING GIVEN TO HIS PATRON AND SUPPORTER
ADOLF HITLER (1889 - 1945) Fuhrer of Germany and Nazi Party leader, Hitler's bloody rise to power, his military seizure of most of Europe and North Africa and his genocidal racial policies culminated in suicide in his Berlin bunker as Russian troops approached. A unique and important historical piece, an early World War I-dated original sketch of a church by Adolf Hitler on a Feldpost postcard, incorporated within the text of a signed letter sent by him at the front to HERMINE HOFFMANN (1857-1945), Hitler's patron and mother-figure for the duration of their lives. The letter, in pencil, is postmarked Nov. 10, 1914 and addressed in Hitler's hand to 'Frau Direktor Hermine Hoffmann'. On the verso of the card, Hitler has drawn a fairly-well executed image of a country church, probably near Ypres. It is typical of his work, the perspective a bit stilted but otherwise exhibiting a good deal of talent. Hitler's message, as usual very cramped and scribbled, is not translated. Hitler's message was added after he drew the church, and he signs adding his rank: 'Adolf Hitler Gefr[eiter].' On the return address area, Hitler signs again adding his rank, as well as adding his regiment and division. Evenly toned, with a tiny, clean tear between the 'A' and 'd' in the signature on verso, else very good. Hermine Hoffmann was a widow who ran a boarding house in Solln. She was assigned to care for and feed Corporal Adolf Hitler, and they became lifelong friends. She was an early party member and claimed to have joined the DAP with the 'old No. 10'. From the early 1920s onwards, Hitler often stayed with her in Solln and ate lunch with her. She took care of his wardrobe and also supported him financially. Her home was available to the participants in the Hitler putsch in 1923 and as an information and command center and then as an escape accommodation. After the putsch, while Hitler was in Landsberg Prison, Hoffmann visited him seven times in his cell. Hitler regularly visited her, and she was invited to all NSDAP events in Munich, which she often attended. So close were the two that Hoffmann was popularly known as 'Hitler-Mother', taking the place of Klara Hitler, long deceased. Only a month earlier, Hitler and his regiment fought in the First Battle of Ypres. 40,000 men, almost half newly-enlisted infantrymen, became casualties in the first twenty days. Hitler's regiment entered the battle with 3,600 men but at its end mustered only 611 men. A most important and rare association piece!

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January 25, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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