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June 23, 2021 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

A Hitler on a postcard?

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2021 | to Droog Magazine

Introduction | A 'Hitler' on a postcard? |

Auction policies | Address auction house

Introduction

On May 22, 2021 the US based Alexander Historical Auctions (AHA) offered again a highly suspect Hitler object. This time a postcard, with a watercolor on it, allegedly painted by Adolf Hitler.

In the past this auction house, run by Bill Panagopulos, sold many fake Hitler objects, such as as a telephone (in 2017, for $243,000), underpants (also in 2017, for $6,700), a strange photo and flower collage (in 2018, for $11,250) and a toilet seat. Caveat emptor!

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A 'Hitler' on a postcard?

Lot 0002: "Adolf Hitler early watercolor on a postcard." Sold for $20,000 / €16,744 (+ 30% commission).

Click on image to enlarge.

Description by auctioneer: "Early Adolf Hitler watercolor painting on a postcard, sent home by an officer of the 17.Infanterie Division to his mother in Berlin. [1]

The 5.5 x 3.5 in. postcard depicts a bomb-shattered shell of a church painted in somber tones of brown with the signature 'Adolf Hitler' painted at lower-right. The postcard is dated March 28, 1916 in another hand at top.[2]

The style is reminiscent of Hitler's other paintings made at the same time during the war. [3]

The reverse bears a '17.Infanterie-Div' circular postmark dated the same day as the painting. The sender, a Lt. Hans Langen of 'Ballon Abwehr Masch. Kan. Zug. 14', states that he has not had any news from his family for some time, nor from 'Peter' (presumably a brother or friend) since a year earlier. He has no news from Berlin, but did hear from another friend after a year and a half. He hopes someone will write to him soon. [4]

Simply framed so that both sides of the card are visible. Fine condition.

This piece originates directly from the estate of Stephen Bumball, Sr. (1919-2005), an Army Intelligence officer during World War II who also served at the Nuremberg Trials, later becoming a well-known long-time collector of World War II autographs and memorabilia. [5]

This very piece appears on page 17 of autograph expert Charles Hamilton's definitive guide: 'Leaders & Personalities of the Third Reich, Volume II' (R. James Bend34, 1996). Hamilton notes the piece: '...is signed with a vigorous, very legible signature (typical of the WWI period and early 1920s)...Like many of Hitler's wartime watercolors, this view was painted on the message side of a postcard, then sold by the artist...for a dollar or two each in marks. Since there are large numbers of forged paintings by Hitler on the market, postcard watercolors of this type, bearing stamps and postmarks that establish beyond question their authenticity are highly prized by collectors...' [6]

According to our consignor, one of Bumball's direct descendants, this painting was given to Bumball directly by FRANZ VON PAPEN (1879-1969), Chancellor of Germany and Vice Chancellor in Hitler's early years of power. Von Papen and Bumball developed a close, friendly relationship in the 1960s, exchanged correspondence, and met on at least one occasion. Included in this lot is a signed photo by von Papen, 8 x 10 in. b/w, inscribed to Bumball as 'my young friend' in 1954, framed; and A.L.S. by von Papen to Bumball on his personal letterhead, 1p. 8vo., 1968, warm and friendly greetings for the holiday, adding: 'We are happy to see your government into excellent hands as Mr. Nixon - it will be a great hope for Europe too!...'; von Papen's funeral announcement and 'death card'; and a candid photo of von Papen taken when he met with Bumball. [7]

With notarized letter of provenance from the Bumball descendant. [8]

A rare opportunity to own a Hitler painting with long-time excellent provenance.[9]

"Buyer's premium of 30.0%."

Comment by Droog Magazine:

[1] During the first three months of 1916 Hitler was quartered in Fournes-en-Weppes/Fromelles near Lille, in Northern France. His formation, the 16th Bavarian Infantry Reserve regiment was part of the 6th Bavarian Infantry Reserve Division.

Position of Hitler's unit, British General Staff map, February 1916 . Click to enlarge.

The 17th Division was from November 1915 until June 1916 operating in the Champagne region, at least 150 km SSE from where Hitler's unit was stationed.

This all makes this: "Hitler watercolor painting on a postcard, sent home by an officer of the 17. Infanterie Division” highly unlikely.

More so, because it is stamped by the postal service of the 17th Division, meaning that, if the stamp is authentic, it would have been stamped in the Champagne region.

It is known that Hitler made in 1914-1918 some sketches which he gave to his closest comrades. Not a single source mentions Hitler giving or selling sketches to strangers, which any officer from any other unit than the 16 Infantry Reserve Regiment must have been to him.

[2] This piece of information seems to be correct. Somebody wrote indeed "Adolf Hitler" on it.

[3] But this is utter nonsense: "The style is reminiscent of Hitler's other paintings made at the same time during the war. "

The drawing style is completely different than the "style" ("hand" is a better description) on the thought to be authentic Hitler drawings / with watercolor colored in drawings.

[4] This is completely irrelevant. It might be authentic, but that doesn't make the signature on the other site authentic too.

[5] It is known that many of the well known US collectors of Hitleriana and Nazi militaria were fooled by forgers.

[6] Charles Hamilton's remarks about the signature are quite absurd.

Fake Adolf Hitler signature on the postcard, authenticated by Charles Hamilton, 1996 and by Bill Panagopulos, 2021.

Authentic Adolf Hitler signature on a "watercolor", 1914. Source: US Army.
Authentic Adolf Hitler signature on a letter, January 21, 1914. Source: Jetzinger.

The signature on this postcard doesn't resemble the signatures Hitler used on his "watercolors" and it is very different from the signature Hitler used in 1914 in letters. Even a child can spot the many differences.

Hamilton's further remarks proves only that he was completely ignorant of Hitler's real works and habits.

[7] It is getting more and more absurd: "According to our consignor, one of Bumball's direct descendants, this painting was given to Bumball directly by FRANZ VON PAPEN".

Click to enlarge.

So, there's no evidence at all Von Papen gave this postcard to Bumball. Only a story from a consignor, that, by lack of evidence, is accompanied by photo's from Von Papen and a letter, in which this postcard isn't mentioned at all.

[8] "With notarized letter of provenance from the Bumball descendant." Yeah, sure. The consignor paid a notary to issue a deed in which is stated that the consignor appeared at the notary with the aforementioned postcard. Such a document is a mere swindler's trick - as it doesn't say anything about the authenticity of the work in question.

[9] According to Bill Panagopulos, the owner of Alexander Historical Auctions, the auctioning of this postcard was "a rare opportunity to own a Hitler painting with long-time excellent provenance."

According to us, it was just one of the many occasions on which people with too much money and too little common sense fell victim to shady Hitler traders.

One such type lost at least $25,000 by buying a rather worthless postcard, and won the opportunity to be arrested for fraud if he ever tries to resell it as "authentic".

$25,000? Not $26.000? The hammer price was $20,000 plus $6,000 (30% commission).

Yes, but the letter by Von Papen, sold together with this postcard, has, if authentic, some value. But that value doesn't exceed $1,000.

Sources:

Adolf Hitler early watercolor on a post card. Alexander Historical Auctions, May 22, 2021.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/102791344_adolf-hitler-early-watercolor-on-a-postcard

Series Number Id: GSGS 3065. Sheet number: part of sheet 36. German order ofbattle, February 1916. "Distribution of German Forces, 17-2-16" First Army area : [Armentières, Lens, February1916]. Great Britain. War Office. General Staff. Geographical Section, 17-02-1916.
https://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A73924.

Harald Sandner. Hitler. Das Itinerar. Aufenthaltsorte und Reisen von 1889 bis 1945. Band I. 1889-1927. Berlin Story Verlag, Berlin, 2019. 6. Korrigierte Auflage. Pages 149-150.

17. Division (Alte Armee). Genwiki, [accessed 23-06-2021].
https://genwiki.genealogy.net/17._Division_(Alte_Armee)#Erster_Weltkrieg_.5B6.5D

Karl Lippitsch, NSDAP Hauptarchiv, HIMC, File 47, Reel 2, 28-03-1940. "Dass Hitler ... sich ...in ruhigen Tagen in der Gefechtsstelle zu Fromelles oder Fournes mit Zeichnen und Lesen beschäftigte ... Fast jeder Mann in Regimentsstab wurde gezeichnet, einige auch in Karikatur. Leider fehlen mir die lustigsten Sachen, die ich jahrelang im Tornister mitgetragen habe und die sich dann im Wind und Regenwetter auflösten …" Cited by Anton Joachimsthaler. Hitlers Weg begann in München 1913-1923. Herbig, München, 2000. Page 133.

Franz Jetzinger. Hitlers Jugend. Phantasien, Lügen - und die Wahrheit. Mit 20 Tafeln. Europa-Verlag, Wien, [1956]. Page 136c.

Tamara Luzeckyj. Report on CCN 2.54.50 ("Alter Hoff"). Olin Conservation, 2014. Courtesy U.S. Army Center for Military History.

Franz von Papen - Autographed letter signed 03/29 [1946?]. Sale price $658.75. History for Sale, Las Vegas, Nevada, [accessed 23-06-2021].
https://www.historyforsale.com/franz-von-papen-autograph-letter-signed-03-29/dc254318

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Terms and conditions of sale

"This auction is conducted under the laws of the State of Maryland.

(...)

All autograph material in this sale is guaranteed genuine for the life of the original purchaser (unless otherwise stated or if contrary to other provisions of these terms). Any autograph item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price only. Non-autograph items are guaranteed genuine for a period of twenty-one (21) days of receipt. If determined to be not authentic by two independent dealers or authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale within the twenty-one (21) day period the item may be returned for a refund of the purchase price only. Some lots may be sold in as-is condition and are marked as such in the description. These items are not returnable for any reason."

Source:
https://www.alexautographs.com/buy-sell/conditions-of-sale/
.

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Address auction house

98 Bohemia Ave, Suite 2
Chesapeake City, MD , USA
21915

www.alexautographs.com

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