Description:

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. HITLER WRITES HIS SUSPECTED LOVER, THE DISTRAUGHT WIFE OF ROBERT LEY Excessively rare, fine association A.L.S. on his personal correspondence card with his gold-embossed name and national eagle, 1p. 7 3/4" x 5", Berlin, Mar. 29, 1942 to INGE LEY (1916-1942), the wife of Dr. Robert Ley. This letter originally accompanied a letter from Hitler to Dr. Robert Ley on Dec. 31, 1942 offering condolences on the suicide death of Inge Ley. Here, a few months prior to her death, Hitler writes the unfortunate woman, in part: "...Madam, Please accept these lines and flowers as a sign of my condolences...Please accept my apology for doing so now...I have only now learned about it..." Hitler also expresses his heartfelt wishes for the young woman's speedy recovery. Light soiling, else very good to fine. Inge Ley was a dancer, actress, socialite and the wife of volatile alcoholic Robert Ley, the head of the German Labor Front. Inge was said to be infatuated with Hitler for a time. One evening, she escaped from her domineering husband and appeared at Hitler's door. Whether the two became lovers is unknown, but she eventually returned to her husband. Later in her life she survived a difficult childbirth, but seems to have been saddled with a consuming depression. Additionally, she was involved in a carriage accident which forced her hospitalization and led to an addiction to morphine and alcoholism. It was when she was at a sanitorium that Hitler wrote this letter. Inge Ley took her own life with a pistol in December of the same year... at the age of only 26. Hitler is very rare in holograph signed letters.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, 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 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

July 31, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 28% 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