Description:

JOSEF GOEBBELS
(1897-1945) Nazi Minister of Propaganda with Hitler from the earliest days, a master of manipulation of the masses, who took his life and those of his family members in the last days of the war. Fine content T.L.S. 4 pp., 4to., Berlin, Apr. 23, 1936 to Walter Buch, chief of the Supreme NSDAP Court, intervening in the court case against his friend Hans Schwarz van Berk, editor-in-chief of the Nazi paper "Der Angriff". After a visit in December 1934 to the political Berlin cabaret "Die Katacombe", Hans Schwarz van Berk wrote into the guestbook: "Dangerous or not dangerous! Carry on!", which caused him to be accused of damaging behavior against the Party, by former colleague Hans-Joachim Rechenberg, partly due to personal differences. Goebbels explains the circumstances of the case: "…van Berk was working in connection with my department regarding the creation of a National Socialist political cabaret...The cabaret was closed in May 1935 on my orders…in part due to the questionable demographic of the audience". Prior to the closing Goebbels had planted secret police in the audience to report back to him. He adds: "…after the closure, van Berk wrote an article defending the actions of the government....Rechenberg, who knew about the entry in the guestbook, did not use this information until November 1935 when, in absence of van Berk, while intoxicated, he insulted him and called him a scoundrel...I should point out...Rechenberg had professional differences with van Berk… and was behind several personal attacks…which ended in dismissal of Rechenberg from the Eher Publishing Company...I believe it is very harsh, condemning an editor for defending the actions of the state...I ask to take into account that Schwarz van Berk is of invaluable service to the state and the movement through his countless publications as a respected national-socialist journalist. Please take my opinion into account when deciding on a final judgment...Heil Hitler! Your Dr. Goebbels". Four tears in upper left hand corner professionally repaired with tape. Paperclip marks top right, files holes and folds, else fine.

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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