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Very conflicted over Nazi autographs, especially Hitler

I'm extremely conflicted over collecting Nazi autographs, especially Hitler. My late father brought an autographed photo of Hitler back from Berlin after WW II and had it hidden away until I found it after his death. Initially I was going to keep it and have it framed, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I eventually sent it to RR Auction and let them sell it.

A couple of days ago a friend sent me this JPEG of Hitler and two VERY German-looking boys Hitler autographed and inscribed to one or the other boy in the pic. My friend sent it more as a curiosity as opposed to consideration for purchase. I think the seller wants $6800 for it. I guess it's authentic.

Any opinions on the collecting of notorious individuals' autographs?

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on October 8, 2018 at 6:19am

It's a personal decision. There is an historical significance. But, it would also be offensive to others. Not something a person would want to proudly display on their wall. Personally, not my cup of tea.

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Permalink Reply by michelle on October 8, 2018 at 7:16am

plus 1

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Permalink Reply by goodcat on October 8, 2018 at 12:02pm

There was a big and very lengthy debate on this very topic a few months ago.

At first these sort of items were restricted here.

Then the security got a bit more relaxed

The final decision was to make a separate and private group for this category of nefarious characters

We are still waiting for this to happen

People do indeed collect these and in the end an autograph is still an autograph.

Is this graph authentic signed? I dunno... It's a poor scan

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/adolf-hitler?commen...

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Permalink Reply by BG Meadows on October 8, 2018 at 1:37pm

Hi GoodCat!
Thanks for the insightful response. A separate group sounds like a good idea for those who collect autographs of the "infamous." I know one autograph dealer who no longer features Nazi-related autographs on his site. He keeps them "under the counter," if you know what I mean. If someone contacts him about a Nazi-related signature and he has it, he'll make it discreetly available to the potential customer.

I know when I found the Hitler-signed photo among my late father's WW II possessions and I offered it to my siblings, none of them wanted anything to do with. So I struck a compromise with them by placing it on RR Auction and we evenly divided what was realized on it.

Great idea for a discussion group for the infamous.
as always
Garrett M

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Permalink Reply by goodcat on October 8, 2018 at 2:25pm

you are most welcome BG

I hope the new group does indeed get created soon as it's obvious this type of category is going to come up from time to time.

A Charles Manson was posted not long ago and is definitely a candidate for the group.

PS... "infamous" is probably the more correct term to use and a good group title