Lot 543

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Description:

(1911 - ca. 1980) Nazi "doctor" who plied his trade at Auschwitz, he was the most brutal and detestable of all the camp doctors. It was Mengele's decision as to whether camp inmates would be used as forced labor or sent directly to the gas chambers, and he as well performed hideous experiments on inmates, especially twins. After the war, Mengele fled to Argentina where he avoided capture until his death. Fine content A.L.S., 2pp. 4to., Dec. 3, 1944, to his wife, Irene, in large part: "My dearest Butzele! Quickly I write this letter, and thank you for yours of Sunday evening. Oh, if only the post did not go that long! But luckily, that at least we can still write and have a modest means of [expressing] secret feelings and thoughts. In the meantime, you have received my letter in which I have proposed your relocation here. Since I have tried to acquire the apartment, I am constantly asked when you are coming. Especially Frau Kitt (?) was very interested. They seemed to be happy about the book. There is an intimate friendship between Frau Kitt (?) and Frau Finker (?), as I was able to discover yesterday at the social meeting of the Sch.[utz]-Staffel. The social meeting lasted 'quite' a long time. Tonight I have an invitation to the pharmacist's in Auschwitz. I am very happy to hear that you are both well. How are the good parents? Now there are already fights in Schlettstadt [France, liberated by the US Dec 4 1944]! But that's not so bad. One will just retreat to the Rhine, as in 1939. The new weapons are apparently already being used on the front line and they will show their effectiveness. So we have to continue to have confidence in our own power and that's why we'll master it!..." This could refer to a number of new weapons unveiled by German forces in the final months of the war, including the "King Tiger" tank, the Me 262 jet fighter, the V1 cruise missile, and the V2 ballistic missile. He continues: "...The attacks here involved the industrial area. We got away unharmed until now. Of course, the fighters are just rushing above us. But they won't exactly choose [a] K.L. for bombardment..." This likely refers to Allied aerial bombing raids against IG Farben's "Buna-Werke" industrial plant at the Auschwitz III-Monowitz subcamp, which commenced in August and September of 1944, and would resume later in December, shortly after Mengele pens this letter. He continues: "Write me quickly and resolutely away regarding the relocation so that I can arrange either way... Dear, good Butzele, rest well in Hzbg. [Hauzenberg] and enjoy the little boy. In my mind, I am always with you and yours. With many warm kisses, always your Papil." He executes his name and rank "SS-Hstuf. [Hauptsturmfuhrer] Mengele" in the return address space on the integral cover, adding "Auschwitz o/s K.L. SS-Revier", and again as part of his wife's name in the address space, "Frau Irene Maria Mengele", both in black ink. Shows original mailing folds, slightly ragged at the left and right edges where opened, else very good.


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November 19, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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