October 21, 2022

Fake Hitlers at Mullock's,

Shropshire, UK

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2021 | to Droog Magazine

 
At  June 30, 2021 the Shropshire based auction house Mullock's offered this contraption:

Lot 731: "WWII - Adolf Hitler Attributed Artwork depicting WWI..." Guide Price £500.00 - £700.00. (Not sold)


Click to enlarge

Description by auctioneer:

"WWII – Adolf Hitler Attributed Artwork depicting WWI British Tanks undated and Signed Rochus Misch Print – a pencil sketch, originally purchased from a seller in Berlin 15 years ago. With signature ‘A. Hitler’ to bottom corner. Rochus Misch was a bodyguard for Hitler and had been in the bunker until the end. Appears to resemble a water colour of Tanks by Hitler dated 1916. Framed display with further information by vendor and prints of Hitler, measuring 85x97cm approx."

Comment by Droog Magazine: This framed display contains a mix of some copies of orginal Hitler photos, two photos of Rochus Misch with a Misch signature (which might be authentic), some printed texts and two cards; one with a crude sketch and another one with a coloured in drawing of a battlefield with remains of tanks, a wheel and a gun, signed "A. Hitler 1916".

Left the tank work offered by Mullock's in 2021; right the same work, as it was offered by Snyder in 2008. Click to enlarge.

This coloured in drawing was previously offered by the notorious militaria swindler Charles E. Snyder. To be precise: in 2008; in 2010 Snyder listed it as "sold".



As the Hitler signature on it is an obvious fake one, and the "style" is absolutely not Hitler's, this work is a clear fake. The rude sketch, which appears to be a study for this drawing, must therefore be a fake too.



As Rochus Misch (1917-2013) was one of the longest living members from Hitler's entourage. As such he got many requests for his signature from signature and militaria collectors. Which makes his signature not very special.


Source:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221016135304/https://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/lot-753768-wwii_adolf_hitler_attributed_artwork_depicting_wwi.html?p=8-100

See also:

Jaap van den Born & Bart FM Droog. Mullock's Specialist Auctioneers & Valuers. Survey 2009-2019. 'Hitler' Auctioneers - United Kingdom. Droog Magazine, 15-02-2019.
https://www.droog-mag.nl/hitler/mullocks-history-of-hitler-auctions.pdf

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© Compilation Bart FM Droog, 2022.
Photos courtesy Mullock's and the late Charles E. Snyder.

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