Description:

An undoubtedly unique and very intriguing photo album assembled by the staff or family of Deputy Fuhrer of the Nazi Party RUDOLF HESS (1894-1987), detailing his travels throughout Germany in the summer of 1935, in the company of many high-ranking NSDAP officials, including Party leader, Chancellor of Germany and Hess' close friend, Adolf Hitler. The cover of the 40pp. oblong folio album bears the faint black ink inscription "Beim Stellverterter des Fuhrers" ("With the Deputy Fuhrer"), with the volume number "V" and the date range "26.56.1935 - 30.7.1935". It contains 189 original 3" x 4 1/2" b/w photos and four photo postcards. Of these, no less than fifty offer candid, mostly casual and unpublished views of Hitler, both in uniform and in a civilian suit, in a variety of poses and situations, including dining with members of his entourage in a camp setting, greeting admirers outside of his residence at Obersalzberg, conversing with workers performing the extensive renovations completed on his Berghof in 1935, relaxing on the veranda there, and more. Numerous photos from the Berghof depict Hitler's butler and personal chef Arthur Kannenberg playing his accordion, sitting for a portrait (with Hitler offering commentary), viewing the surrounding Alps with Hitler through a large telescope, and posing with his employer and friend. Other individuals identifiable throughout the album include Julius Streicher, Martin Bormann, and Hans Baur, among numerous other uniformed NSDAP members. Interestingly, the only images to directly show Rudolf Hess are five depicting him in traction in a hospital bed, dated May 14, 1935. However, other images show his wife Ilsa aboard an aircraft, as well as views of events that Hess attended without Hitler, including the 1935 "Day of Seafaring" at Hamburg and a May visit to the "Kyffhauser" monument in Thuringia. Still more images offer numerous aerial views of German, scenes of construction along the road to Obersalzburg, and views of the renovation of the Berghof. The identity of the photographer is uncertain, although most likely a member of Hess' staff or an employee of Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffman. However, the amateur quality of many of the shots, their intimate views of Hess' family and close associates, and the almost total lack of Hess in the images indicates the possibility that some of the photographs were taken by Hess himself. The first photo in the album is torn, four are loose within the leaves, and the edges of the covers and pages show chips and small tears, else very good. A fine, intimate view of the early days of Hitler's chancellorship, should be seen and certainly worthy of further research.

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April 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$100 $499 $20
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$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
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