Belfast Auction to List Hitler's Pencil

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast is set to auction off a silver-plated pencil that purportedly belonged to Adolf Hitler at its upcoming event that will also feature a signed photo of the Nazi dictator and an 1869 hand-written pardon from Queen Victoria for Irish rebels.1
  • The pencil is thought to be a gift from Hitler’s romantic partner Eva Braun for his 52nd birthday on April 20, 1941, and is estimated to sell for between £50K ($61K) and £80K ($98K).2
  • The pencil, which has a German inscription of the name “Eva” with the initials “AH” at the bottom, has stirred much controversy, but the auction house’s Managing Director Karl Bennett says the item gives a glimpse into the extremely hidden personal life of Hitler.3
  • Bennett says the pencil “helps to unravel a hidden piece of history” as it offers insight into Hitler’s relationship with Eva Braun. He added that Hitler’s appeal came from his public facade of only caring about the nation over personal connections.4
  • Bennett also added that thorough research has been conducted to ensure that the piece is authentic. He also acknowledged the reservations and criticism auctions houses face for selling Nazi memorabilia, but concluded that objects from the “darkest and most controversial [times] in recorded history” must be preserved.4
  • Earlier this month, Christie’s auctioned jewelry that belonged to the wife of a famous German retailer who made his fortune during the Nazi regime. Jewish advocacy groups condemned the sale and asked Christie’s to call off the auction, which it did not do.5

Sources: 1Yahoo News, 2Guardian, 3Republic World, 4Independent, and 5Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Telegraph. Selling Nazi memorabilia, or anything belonging to Adolf Hitler, serves to memorialize a brutal regime that massacred millions of Jewish people. Some countries have laws against selling Nazi items, but the UK does not. This has led to people making profits off items belonging to some of the most evil people in human history. Profiting off possessions from the Nazi regime is a slap in the face to the Jewish community.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Kent Online. Auctioning items that belonged to Nazis or Adolf Hitler in no way honors or promotes the heinous acts they committed. The sale of such items should be allowed because World War II was one of the most significant events in human history, and people should be allowed to preserve artifacts, even if they are from unspeakably dark times. While it's a very sensitive subject, we must be able to separate our strong condemnation of evil from the right to preserve history.