Lot 489

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Description:

PERSONAL FILMS OF OTTO SKORZENY, FROM HIS ESTATE
An important lot of 64 reels of color film (plus one roll of 35mm. film exposed to light), all but one roll being 8mm. or "Super" 8mm. film on 53 x 3" reels and 10 x 5" reels likely filmed 1960-1975, approximately a total of 5 1/2 hours of private footage, several labeled with locations or topics including "Germany...Berchtesgaden...Havana...New York...Ireland...1972 Olympics...Hudson...Acadia House....Easter 1961...Majorca...Egypt". Although none of these films have been viewed by us or by the consignor, sampled frames showed many unidentified individuals with Skorzeny at different locations, an interview of Skorzeny (likely at his home in Ireland), Skorzeny surrounded by friends and skiing, an unidentified bedridden old man, etc. There is one roll (mentioned above) which emanates from the National Archives and which bears microfilm images of documents pertaining to the July 20, 1944 bomb attempt on Hitler's life. These films are sold WITH full copyright transfered to the purchaser.

These films were bequeathed to Skorzeny's wife, Ilse Finckenstein Skorzeny by her husband at the time of his death in 1975. Ilse continued to reside in in the Tres Cantos section of Madrid, but was slowly cheated out of her wealth by various con artists and manipulators in Spain and in the United States. Early on, she befriended an influential businessman who sought to obtain her legal and financial assistance. By the time of her death in 2002, Ilse was bankrupt and living in a nursing home, supported by the charity of her friend. On Jan. 13, 1998 she granted the man her full power of attorney, and on May 4, 1999 she executed a legal document leaving her entire estate to her benefactor. He has since transferred this property to his son, our consignor. In September, 2011 representatives of Alexander Historical Auctions met with the heir of Ilse Skorzeny's estate and his son, the consignor. Also viewed was the original power of attorney given by Ilse and the fully-executed and notarized copy of the legal document bequeathing the property to her Spanish friend. Copies of those documents are included in the lot, as is a copy of a letter attesting to the fact that the son had been gifted the estate by the father, this document also signed by both.

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Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance 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 are not 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.

February 18, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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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 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000