Fascinating. I am intrigued by this entire story and collection. I was just discussing with my wife the historical value of some personal collections, and this is a perfect example of this.
The book collector in me has to ask, what is the estimated value of a book such as this without the later changes?
Thank you, Michael. Of the two Röhm editions of this book, I would imagine that the better of the two should fetch around $200 and the other one perhaps $150. That depends on the day of the auction, if several people are wanting the books, they can go much higher.
I would have thought they would go higher than that. Nazi memorabilia is always sought after, and is also have a bit of an upswing right now. I will hesitate from pondering reasons for that. But I enjoy seeing versions of everything from books to ads to movies and albums that are changed over time to reflect either the current agenda or morals of the time. This falls into an entire field of study on why we collect things and how collectors actually help preserve the past.
Just started reading ‘To Have And To Hold: An Intimate History Of Collectors and Collecting’ by Phillip Blom that talks about just this.
I gave that estimate, based on comparable prices that I have seen in the past. At auction, it depends on how many people are interested in buying the book, the price might go higher, which I’m hoping for.
had a minor league buzz on - & swear .. i accidently reached to turn one of those damn pages ! the horribly beautiful pages beguile .. great shots !
the research editorial is off planet fascinating - and somehow for a long moment I felt a shiver - as if the same ‘play was underway - in the contemporary context / helpless as AI comes to keep ‘replacing & filling both Image & Words - what else is Misinformation & Disinformation ?
am a student of media & ‘every waking day - I go to school 🦎🏴☠️📡
A fascinating story Darin - there must be so much work that goes into the research of these items and you've pulled this all together really well. You obviously have a great passion for your work.
I also can't help but think of the subtle way that Hitler built his power in those early days being mirrored by certain world leaders today...it's frightening!
I'm fascinated by this. First, the cigarette book explanation was really interesting. The other part of why it's fascinating for me: it's so important for us to understand history, or we're doomed to repeat it. As we can see in the world today. But I also know that there are laws, I believe in Germany for example against selling (certain kinds?) Of objects related to the Nazis. And their sensitivities in many places about people who collect Nazi vote memorabilia? (If that's the right word). Clearly, that does not seem to be what this is all about, but curious if you ran into issues because of that.
From what I have been told, it is not illegal to own NAzi stuff, in Germany, but there are laws against publishing certain things publicly, or listing them for sale. I have been told that there is a sizable network of dealers in Nazi memorabilia who operate sub-rosa. I think that the man who collected these books dealt with such networks. Also, I believe that public display of Nazi symbols is still (mostly) banned in Germany.
Jesus, Darin! Words fail us all! Fascinating! Also, I imagine the $200 would be multiples higher, given the books' rarity, were it not for the verboten subject matter.
Thank you, Mark. The estimate is based on comparable recent sales. Check out this item, from an auction by Hermann Historica, possibly one of the largest military auction houses in the world. Considering the provenance on this item, I am surprised that it didn’t go higher. And, it’s photography related.
Fascinating. I am intrigued by this entire story and collection. I was just discussing with my wife the historical value of some personal collections, and this is a perfect example of this.
The book collector in me has to ask, what is the estimated value of a book such as this without the later changes?
Thanks for a terrific read - as always.
Thank you, Michael. Of the two Röhm editions of this book, I would imagine that the better of the two should fetch around $200 and the other one perhaps $150. That depends on the day of the auction, if several people are wanting the books, they can go much higher.
I would have thought they would go higher than that. Nazi memorabilia is always sought after, and is also have a bit of an upswing right now. I will hesitate from pondering reasons for that. But I enjoy seeing versions of everything from books to ads to movies and albums that are changed over time to reflect either the current agenda or morals of the time. This falls into an entire field of study on why we collect things and how collectors actually help preserve the past.
Just started reading ‘To Have And To Hold: An Intimate History Of Collectors and Collecting’ by Phillip Blom that talks about just this.
I gave that estimate, based on comparable prices that I have seen in the past. At auction, it depends on how many people are interested in buying the book, the price might go higher, which I’m hoping for.
Fascinating history of these books, Darin. Wow.
Thank you, Louise.
had a minor league buzz on - & swear .. i accidently reached to turn one of those damn pages ! the horribly beautiful pages beguile .. great shots !
the research editorial is off planet fascinating - and somehow for a long moment I felt a shiver - as if the same ‘play was underway - in the contemporary context / helpless as AI comes to keep ‘replacing & filling both Image & Words - what else is Misinformation & Disinformation ?
am a student of media & ‘every waking day - I go to school 🦎🏴☠️📡
Thank you, Thomas, I’m glad that you liked it. This tale echoes forward to this day and age, I hear them.
A fascinating story Darin - there must be so much work that goes into the research of these items and you've pulled this all together really well. You obviously have a great passion for your work.
I also can't help but think of the subtle way that Hitler built his power in those early days being mirrored by certain world leaders today...it's frightening!
Thank you, Lin. It is always frightening.
I'm fascinated by this. First, the cigarette book explanation was really interesting. The other part of why it's fascinating for me: it's so important for us to understand history, or we're doomed to repeat it. As we can see in the world today. But I also know that there are laws, I believe in Germany for example against selling (certain kinds?) Of objects related to the Nazis. And their sensitivities in many places about people who collect Nazi vote memorabilia? (If that's the right word). Clearly, that does not seem to be what this is all about, but curious if you ran into issues because of that.
From what I have been told, it is not illegal to own NAzi stuff, in Germany, but there are laws against publishing certain things publicly, or listing them for sale. I have been told that there is a sizable network of dealers in Nazi memorabilia who operate sub-rosa. I think that the man who collected these books dealt with such networks. Also, I believe that public display of Nazi symbols is still (mostly) banned in Germany.
Jesus, Darin! Words fail us all! Fascinating! Also, I imagine the $200 would be multiples higher, given the books' rarity, were it not for the verboten subject matter.
Thank you, Mark. The estimate is based on comparable recent sales. Check out this item, from an auction by Hermann Historica, possibly one of the largest military auction houses in the world. Considering the provenance on this item, I am surprised that it didn’t go higher. And, it’s photography related.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/230882263_adolf-hitler-original-glass-plate-of-the-first-portrait-photograph-from-1923-grasbrunn-munich-bavaria
HTF does a glass plate of Hitler survive in a condition like that?
In the Heinrich Hofmann archives, of course. I have some Nazi publications that feature that exact picture.
The amount of deep diving you do, Darin, keeps astounding me!
Thanks, Søren. I’ve been neck deep in this stuff for the last 8 months, so I have had a lot of time to think about what to write.