676. HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900 - 1945) Hitler's Chief of the Gestapo placed in charge of security and responsible for the construction and operation of extermination camps. He chose suicide rather than face a hangman's noose at Nuremberg. Most ironic, fine content A.Ms., a love letter written by Himmler to his mistress and mother of his two illegitimate children! The letter, signed with an asterisk (*), is penned on both sides of his personal 12mo. correspondence card, sent from his field headquarters at Hegewald (near Kiev), Aug. 9, 1942 to his mistress, Hedwick Potthast. In part: "My dear little bunny! I am about to drive over and will call you and will hear your dear voice - quickly just a few lines regarding the parcel. They are all without value but chosen with love. Perhaps you can use them. An illustrated magazine is also enclosed and I'll be with you in spirit when you look at it. Say hello to our sweet one, hope he doesn't hurt himself with his rattle...I love you forever...". Potthast joined the Reichsf¸hrers personal staff, starting as a secretary in the typing pool, but very soon becoming one of Himmler's personal assistants. The affair became troublesome for Himmler when Hedwick became pregnant with the first of two children in 1942, the one to whom he likely refers in this letter. With a copy of the letter of provenance signed by Potshot's American interrogator. Very good. $2,500 - 3,500