Description:

HANS FRANK
(1900 - 1946) Governor-General of occupied Poland, 1939-45. He instituted a reign of terror against the civilian population, systematic plunder and brutal economic exploitation and was directly involved in the mass murder of Polish citizens of both Jewish and non-Jewish background. Very rare A.L.S. "Hans" to his mistress Lilly Groh, 2pp. 4to. on Hotel Imperial" letterhead, Vienna, July 1, 1942. Frank mentions a speech he would soon give in Munich which he considers all-important - it would be critical of Hitler and result in him losing his party affiliations. In part: "...The hour of my speech approaches and I'm ready to acknowledge my work. The halls in which I speak are filled with tension, as is being reported to me...and you are not here....In the future nothing will separate us...You, my dear Lilli, I beg you to accompany me everywhere...Today a new life starts for me - a new awareness...Since you came into my life...you supported me in my most difficult hours...You, my beloved Lilli, give me strength...As a man, I will survive the mental battles I must endure...you will have to make great sacrifices and have many worries but I will stand by you...God is hearing us, he has united us, and people will not prevent us from having our life's work and love's work from being recognized...". Lilly Groh (1898-1977) had been Frank's childhood sweetheart and as his marriage soured with his wife Brigitte (mother of his five children), he took up with her again, hoping to divorce his wife and remarry. Brigitte did not want to give up her status as the wife of a Reich Minister and traveled to Berlin, where she asked Hitler to prohibit a divorce, stating: "I'd rather be a widow than the divorced wife of a Reich Minister". Frank also tried to sway Hitler, as did Groh, who told Himmler that Brigitte was a Jew who should be eliminated. In the end, Hitler forbade any divorce until after the war when it was, obviously, too late for Frank.

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February 10, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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