Lot 992

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Description:

REINHARD HEYDRICH ASSASSINATION REWARD POSTER
An excessively rare original printed poster, 1p. folio (24 x 16 in), May 28, 1942, printed in both German and Czech in black ink on pink stock. Titled ‘10,000,000 Kronen Reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of the attack on the Deputy Reichsprotector'. The text continues to outline the assassination attempt, with a description of the assassins. Jan Kubis is described as: ‘…[A] medium build, slim man wearing a dark to black suit and black hat…'. Josef Gabcik is described as: ‘…160-162 [cm] tall, broad-shouldered, strong build, full, round suntanned face, mouth with pursed lips…dark to black suit with light stripes, not wearing a hat because he was trying to escape…'. The poster then outlines the items left at the scene: ‘…dark brown briefcase…soiled beige newsboy hat with a White Swan department store logo…a women's Moto-Velo brand bicycle…with red, black-bordered handles…and well-preserved saddle with springs, a brown tool bag, black chain guard and badly-damaged, dark to light colored clothes protectors [and] nickel-plated bicycle pump on the wheel…'. Referring to the reward of 10,000,000 crowns, the poster posts the questions: ‘…Who can provide information about the perpetrators? Who observed the perpetrators at the crime scene? Who owns the items described…especially the women's bicycle, the hat and the briefcase?…'. The poster concludes with the ominous threat: ‘…Anyone who does not give the police the requested information…will be shot along with his family…'. Signed in text by Gestapo head Herman Frank, who would eventually be tried and convicted for his part in the organization of the destruction of Lidice and Lezaky made in retaliation for Heydrich's murder. Together with an original Czech newspaper titled ‘Illustrated Report on the Assassination of Reinhard Heydrich', published June 11, 1942, bearing an image of Heydrich on the cover with the text beneath reading: ‘…Heydrich died as the result of a murderous attack…'. Inside the 9pp. newspaper are articles touting Heydrich and bemoaning his loss, as well as images of the bicycle, briefcase, and other articles left at the scene; an article about Japan's conflict with China; an editorial about Czech poet Jan Nebesky [Wojkovitz] titled ‘The Last Sensualist'; an article about saccharin, and more quotidian content. Poster bears folds, otherwise very good. Newspaper bears wear at the top with an expected weakened central fold, otherwise good. Together two pieces.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000