[ Home Page ] [ Third Reich ] [ Old Reich ] [ Kaiser Reich ] [ Imperial Russia ] [ Axis Powers ] [ Italian Fascist ] [ WW I ] [ Landsknecht ] [ Kaiser Wilhelm ] [ Frederick the Great ]

DESCRIPTION: Personalized in the fact that it has Hitler’s personal bookplate inside the front cover. This is a 1935 edtion published by the Central Offfice of the NSDAP Franz Eher Verlag in Munich. This edition is in beautiful mint condition with the velum cover and leather back binder. The bookplate inside is also in perfect condition and measures 3 ½ x 4. 782 pages -- the book has a crest in golden color, the front cover that employs a rampant lion. Somethimes the Fuhrer would make an order of several Mein Kampfs from district printing centers in various sections of Germany and the books would have the district (Wappen) or coat of arms on the covers. It is a well established fact that copies of Mein Kampf were kept at several of the Fuhrers home locations and offices, and under the auspices of Martin Bormann copies with the bookplate were often given to loyal Party functionaries but since Hitler himself was not present while the book was presented they were invariably not signed nor dedicated to the person receiving them. This is just such an issue but it does have the stamp that proclaims (Nachlass Adolf Hitler). These means from the property of Adolf Hitler. Is it unusual that the leader would allow a book with his personal bookplate to be given away to someone who its possible he never even met. The answer is yes, most definitely!  Because in his outlook and psyche he believed he personally owned nothing and he firmly believed that the buildings, the homes, the art that he had managed to possess belonged to the German people and they were only temporarily in his stewardship. Regardless of what can be said of him in the negative, he indeed was a man of his people rising from remote and obscure beginnings to become the world’s most powerful man hated by many and adored by many. We feel that this identification with the people that practically no other world leader ever enjoyed makes the limited distribution of these books completely understandable from his point of view.

However, the fact remains that these editions are very rare especially in this condition -- we managed to buy several books with Hitler’s bookplate at a special book sale at Frankfurt am Main a few years ago. We were fortunate to not only purchase these priceless volumes but also books having belonged to Josef Goebbels, Hermann Goring, Reinhard Heydrich and other famous personalities, as well as quite a few books from the library of the Totenkopf Standarte Oberbayern. Their library was seized back in the post war years and the entire library came up for sale at that Frankfurt sale. The Hitler books were by far the most precious of the archival offerings and this one the creme d’ la crème! It is priced reasonably and in a way we hate to see it go but this is our business after all and we can’t keep it all! Iin the book by Timothy W. Ryback “Hitler’s Private Library’ among the footnotes, the author makes several references to the fact that Hitler maintained private libraries at his residencies in Berlin, Munich, and the Obersalzberg as well as book depository at the “Fuhrer Archive” in the basement of the N.S. party Headquarters in the brown house in Munich and except for a partial inventory of the Reichs Chancellary in Berlin which is preserved at the Hoover Institute at Sanford University there is according to the author no surviving catalogue of Hitler’s book collection. And earlier in the book by Ryback he says that thousands more of the library of the Fuhrer lie in the attics and bookshelves in the homes of veterans across the United States and occasionally random volumes find their way to the public.  On page 100 of the book there is a picture of a book presented to Adolf Hitler in 1933 by Leni Riefenstahl and you can see the book plate that the Fuhrer added to it. This volume also has the outer protective cover (sleeve). The book is in perfect condition but the outer sleeve at some time had to be repaired with glue; this does not really detract from it visibly. This is one of the most important historical items that one could ever obtain in the field of Third Reich collectables.  

PRICE: SOLD

DESCRIPTION: This is a German tradition that goes back for centuries. It became customary to encase hand painted portraits on elephant ivory of famous personages in frames that were constructed also in genuine ivory. The ivory was fitted by hand from plainchants that were usually purchased from piano manufacturers and as you can see some of the pieces were the size of piano keys.  See our Fredrick the Great section where you will see more of this particular art form as historically used. The frame measures 4 ¾ x 6 inches. The picture with the inner copper bezil measures 3 ½ x 2 ¾.  The likeness of the German Fuhrer is no less than astounding! In artistic presentation it depicts him as he looked shortly after his assumption of complete political power in 1933.  He wears the famous overcoat that he wore all during the Kampfzeit (the struggle for power). His ever penetrating blue eyes are fixed upon Germany’s future and the entire countenance is strong yet deeply inspirited. The tones and detail are fabulous as the depiction captures the depth and perception of the man who Time Magazine called the Man of the Year in 1933 with his picture on their cover. He beat out Roosevelt who also was elected in that year. This is not only an art treasure, but a prodigiously important piece of history (completely unique!).

PRICE: $2,850.00  A great investment piece

Book: Hitler in Italian 126 Bilder (Hitler in Italy 126 Pictures) from Hitler’s Library (Item AH 26-3)

DESCRIPTION: Several years ago we went to a special sale of books from famous Third Reich personalities held at the annual rare book fair in Frankfurt am Main Germany. We managed to buy quite a few books that had formally belonged to Hitler, Goring, Goebbels, Reinhard Heydrich as well as books from some of the SS Kaserne, such as the Totenkopf mountain division. Also there were books from the personal library of Heinrich Hoffmann, Hitler’s personal photographer. This was a literal bonanza of books from these historic figures. One of the greatest of our purchases in years. The greatest of the purchased books were of course the ones from Hitler’s Library collections. To find out more about some of the books that bear the bookplate of the Fuhrer please go to our Hitler section page 26 items AH 26-1.  There is an explanation of not only how we purchased them but also an explanation of how they were originally distributed.  When Adolf Hitler gave gifts no matter how expensive or inexpensive he did not make signed presentations with the exception of the silver framed photographs of himself and those were given to important personalities or close friends only. However many copies of Mein Kampf were given to guests and other books as well.  This is a rare edition of Heinrich Hoffmann’s soft cover book chronicling Hitler’s visit to the Italian leader Benito Mussolini in May of 1938.  He stayed for over a week between the 3rd and 10th of May. He traveled to Rome by train.  In Rome the King of Italy and Mussolini picked him up at the station.  By automobile they went to the Palazzo Quirinale where a meeting was held.  Then they drove throughout the city in an open car.  There was a great military parade that Hitler excitedly attended and with the Duce they laid a garland of flowers at Lapazo .On the second day there was another military parade on the Via Del Fori Imperiali. At every day of his visit he was ultra impressed with everything to include visits to the Pantheon, the Coliseum, and The Roman Forum.etc.  He visited Napoli, Florence, Feltre (near Belluno) and Venice, he was overwhelmed by all the past and present glories of the Fascist state. When he returned home and Hoffmann showed him a copy of the book we offer, Hitler ordered quite a few copies to be sent to him in Berlin and he caused quite a few to be distributed to party and military leaders with his bookplate inside. These were mostly given out selectively by SS Standartenfuhrer Hans Woltz, the SS librarian working at the Chancellery and the Braun Haus.  When the book was to be given in his name, there was usually a small officially printed note with greetings from the Fuhrer and listing the name of the recipient.  We had one of these notes about five years ago but it was sold and we have not seen one since.  Woltz also stamped these gift copies with a stamp that reads (Nachlass Adolf Hitler) “Property of Adolf Hitler” (unusual?). Read about it at AH 26-1 of the Hitler Section above. The sheer majesty of Rome and the total solidarity of the Italian people under Benito Mussolini and the photographic excellence of Hoffman’s book so completely captures Hitler’s admiration that is completely understandable that he would allow Woltz to give some of these books with his personalization to be very selectively given out. This Hoffman book is replete with some of the finest photo history that the era had ever seen. We do show a few of the pictures but take notice that there are 126 pictures in the volume every one of which are masterpieces of black and white photogrpahy. One of the most important archival treasures that we have been proud to present. 

PRICE: SOLD

DESCRIPTION: This is possible the finest stickpin that we have ever encountered in as much as detail and general design is concerned. It has a very early depiction of the German Leader.  He wears the brown shirt and tie that was pretty much his main attire from the early 20’s right up to the eve of the war in 1939 when he donned the field gray military uniform. During the “Kampfzeit,” or struggle for power, he always wore the uniform of his SA (Storm trooper) bodyguards and he considered himself one of them in spirit!  Under the portrait of the Fuhrer is the inevitable “Hakenkreuz” or Swastika.  The pin is about the size of an elongated 10 cent piece (dime) about ¾ inches the long way. The pin is in 800 silver and so stamped on the back. Please go to our Home page and read the narrative that is titled “About Our Rings and Silver Insignia.”  You will understand better how we received many of the silver insignia, etc. that is found on our pages. Franz Schnell was the Master silversmith in Third Reich Germany and this pin was one of his many great productions in the field of special jewelry designs. 

PRICE: $148.00

Order of the German Eagle (Deutsche Adler Orden) (Item AH 26-5 & NSD 18-11)

DESCRIPTION: This is the First Class Award neck badge without swords in fine silver gilt & white enamel marked on the ring 900 and the numerals (21) with original full neck ribbon. The award is in its original white silk and black velvet lined red leatherette covered case of issue with the gold embossed national eagle on the top and inside on the white silk lining it says Verdienstekreuz 1, Stufe, Des Deutschen Adler Ordens. The award is in mint condition with all enamel intact. The 900 content marking on the medal is the highest grade silver ever used in the construction of a German Order. The case shows some wear at its corners but fine to extra fine condition both outside and interior, a scarce and highly desirable example of this rarely found order. It was one of the NS. Party’s highest honors and was awarded to prominent foreigners, particularly Diplomats sympathetic to the N.S. government. Henry Ford and was one such recipient in a much higher class of the Order and to his everlasting credit, he refused to return it when heavily pressured to do so by the F.D.R far left (practically communist) administration. This is the absolutely most beautiful order of Merit that Germany ever bestowed upon worthy recipients. Another famed American who received the Order was Charles Lindberg in 1938 and Charles J. Watson, Chairman of IBM in 1937. The Adler Order first instituted on 1 May, 1937 by Adolf Hitler, and without a doubt one of the most sought after medals of Third Reich and general medal and order collecting today.  

PRICE: $3,850.00

DESCRIPTION: This is one of the prints that were sold by the Heinrich Hoffmann Studios in Berlin and Munich. It is a 9 ½" x 7" sketched portrait of the Fuhrer that is a wonderful accurate depiction. These portraits were from time to time signed by the Leader when he would be in the offices of Hoffmann. The only stipulation was that Hoffmann would never sell such a signed portrait but he would present them as gifts to the faithful and deserving. They were never to be sold! The picture is stamped on the back with Hoffmann’s copyright seal with his address and telephone number. We have done a close check on the signature and it passes all the tests required for an original Hitler signature. We have used, for authentication, the book “Leaders and Personalities of the Third Reich” by Charles Hamilton, Vol. 1.  According to the book, Hitler’s signature changed through the years. Thus a 1940’s signature was far different than his signature in 1906 or 1923. The one that we offer would be like the one pictured on page 39 of the Hamilton book that was from the height of the Führer's political career, July 19, 1940. After 1944, his signature radically changed again. On page 43 of the book there is an enlargement of the signature and the crossovers mentioned are clearly visible on our offering. You can see where the ink of one stroke lies on top of another.  Hitler signatures are rare today especially if the signature is on a picture.  

The picture is in a frame that looks to be silver, but we cannot guarantee that. There is a cardboard piece that the picture was adhered to but not glued. The back of the picture is intact with absolutely no marks from affixing it to the cardboard. None! The back of the frame is covered in purple velvet and has a table stand device but also has a ring so it can be hung on the wall. Yes, this is a historical treasure but the consigner offers it at a very reasonable price. I suggest that you would move on this one rather quickly as it will not last on the site for long. 

PRICE: $3,800.00

DESCRIPTION: This is an extremely fine hand painted rendering of the Fuhrer intricately executed to the furthermost artistic degree of detail. The painting depicts him in his brown political uniform. This was the official state service dress that he wore after his elevation to Reichs Chancelor in 1933. He daily wore an outfit like this until the first day of the war breaking out in 1939 and thereafter he wore the field grey uniform until the end. It has for centuries been a German tradition to do hand paintings of famous leaders on ivory plainchants such as this. Generally the best of them were also framed in ivory as well as is the case here. Companies that made ivory piano keys would often sell excess ivory material to the artists who then would painstakingly fit the pieces together to create a beautiful frame to significantly contain the portrait. Sometimes silver was also utilized but the one we offer here is purely ivory throughout with the only other material used being a beautiful brass bezil that traces the outline of the picture. A ‘bubble’ surface glass cover is used over the rendering. The frame measures 5 ¾ inches x 4 ¾ inches. The painting is measured at 2 ½" x 3 ¼".  The ivory frame is about ¼ inches thick. The back is covered with a dark grey fabric material and there is a small label that reads: G. Binder in the MaximillianPlatz and in German it indicates that Herr Binder was a framemaker. Different than most miniature ivory portraits, this frame supplied has a mounted stand up bar on the back to facilitate its standing on a table or desk. But there is also a ring in case the owner might prefer to hang the portrait on a wall. The artistic craftsmanship overall is exquisite and the portrait is utterly phenominal. The artist brings out dramatically the countenance of Germany’s Leader in brilliant detail that could not be surpassed except for one example of one in silver framing that Germania will acquire soon. These miniatures are so rare that we will immediately book flight to Germany if necessary when we hear of one that might be for sale. That in fact was the case with his one. We decided we would not lose it. So off we went and of course combined the quest with buying other great relics but this miniature was the main reason for the trip. (It is that good!). If one would wish to have just one important Hitler item, this would certainly be a wise chose. 

PRICE: $2,500.00 but if the art world were at all sane today then it certainly should bring more than a Picasso, right?

The Huge Special Edition of Hitler’s Mein Kampf from His Personal Library (Item AH 26-8)

DESCRIPTION: A news release on April 20th, 1939 and published in the Independent Press said and is quoted here: “Luxury Edition of Mein Kampf Honors Hitler (From yesterday’s Final edition) Berlin, April 20- AP (Associated Press) – A luxuriously bound edition of Mein Kampf was published in honor of chancellor Hitler’s 50th birthday today.  More than 5,000,000 copies in many editions have now been published of the book which Hitler wrote while he was in Landsberg prison in 1924 and which lays down the Nazi program and philosophy."

Now we at Germania present to you, one of these extremely rare and beautiful editions, one that was personally owned by the Fuhrer himself, and bears his personal bookmark in the front of the book. The book was published as the newspaper article says in 5,000,000 editions (not counting this one) but the five million cheaper plain cover editions are numbered in the article and this was only up to that time (1939). This special one was published in very few editions and only in 1939 (no other year). Making this edition singularly extraordinary in the field of rare books. The book is bound entirely in wonderful blue leather with gold blocking on both the front cover and the spine. This huge heavy edition of Mein Kampf is easily the highest quality edition of Hitler’s book ever produced. This is not only an outstanding example of the rare Hitler birthday edition but was the property of the Fuhrer himself. The 6 ¾ x 9 ¾ inches, 736 page, 3 3/4th bound book has the tops of the pages gilded and the cover is decorated with a vertical gold colored sword above the titled Mein Kampf. The top of the spine has a round gilded Sonnenrad Swastika Sonnenrad (sun wheel). This is found above a red rectangle that has the words Adolf Hitler - Mein Kampf. At the back of the book is a 30 page supplement consisting of reproductions of early ad copy depicting ads that were placed in the Party newspaper and other locations announcing meetings, published works, etc. of the NSDAP (Nazi Party). This book has the Adolf Hitler Ex-Libris card but also has a stamp in the lower left corner of that page that reads – Hauptbucherei (Main Library) and another stamp in the top right page that says ‘Nachlass Adolf Hitler – which translates to Estate of Adolf Hitler. Almost all books that were given as gifts by the German Fuhrer were marked in this way. Hitler very seldom signed these gifts as he did not wish to create an item that would be sold by the recipient or their family. In other words the Fuhrer did not want to take part in a commercial transaction involving the sale of his property during his lifetime or even after his death. So the books were often given but hardly ever signed. The only signed articles showing his great appreciation of an individual was in the form of signed photographs and in very special cases he would award his picture with dedication in a special elaborate silver frame to the person with his signature.

In the book Hitler’s Private Library by Timothy W. Ryback published in 2009, the author refers to the fact that the Fuhrer’s library consisted of about 16,300 volumes covering various subjects. By the time of his suicide, American soldiers were already picking apart his collections in Munich in Hitler’s office at the Brown House and his apartment house in the Prinzregentenplatz, the handsomely bound volumes (such as this one) became the totem of choice with their distinctive book plates. Newsreel footage records GI looters picking through Hitler’s book collection. One sequence shows a soldier opening a large volume to reveal the Hitler Ex- Libris as the camera zooms in for a close up. In another, several men emerge from the Bunker with stacks of books under their arms. The veteran who we purchased this volume from refuses to give his name because looting was forbidden especially in documents and books by the OSS, and he still fears that, but he did make the comment that as far as the other GI looters were concerned, they would not understand a paragraph even in English of what the books contained to them -- these priceless volumes were just loot!

On the flyleaf of this book, it proclaims in red that this is a jubilee edition to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Fuhrer and is the 5th million edition of the famed book. It is doubtful however that this special edition exceeded about 5,000 issues and of these most were destroyed in the aftermath of the war when the order went out from the Allies that all N.S. books were to be confiscated and burned. ‘Burned’ -- does that sound familiar?  It is doubtful that very many of these “specials” have ever shown up and when they did they were snapped up immediately. We believe we have the only one available on line with the Ex Libris card from the personal library of Adolf Hitler. The book is in great condition except for some scuffing on the spine (see pictures). So, collectors and Germanophiles, here is a chance to own a genuine Hitler-owned possession and an extremely rare archival treasure in its own right.

PRICE: $1,750.00 Indeed a bargain.

Commemorative Pin for Adolf Hitler’s Birthday 20/4/1933 (Special in Silver) (Item AH 26-8a & PINS 8-16)

DESCRIPTION: This is a beautifully detailed pin in genuine 800 silver produced in the shop of Franz Schnell in Halle Am Salle in eastern Germany.  Read our narrative on our home page entitled “About our Rings and Silver Insignia. This is a special pin made in the silversmith shop of Franz Schnell of Halle an Salle in Saxony Anhalt. For more information about Herr Schnell and how we came to be able to purchase so many fabulous silver items such as this, go to our home page and look at the narrative called “About Our Rings and Silver Insignia.” Herr Schnell had several contracts with companies that sold N.S. connected articles that were made with his tooling dies at his shop. He was the Master silversmith and he produced items in silver for several retailers that are well known in Ludenshied, Berlin and Munich. He produced rings, cap insignia, fobs, stickpins, presentation jewelry, and etc. all in the very finest detail.  His items were produced in state of the art special dies. Some of the dealers on the internet sites who are “fly by the seat of their pants forgers” have attempted to copy the Schnell items that we have in our grouping but to practically no avail.  The copies are without the crisp detail and fine lines since these “Arschlocks” use the lost wax process and could never afford to use dies that would necessitate a huge amount of financial capital. To date not one has tried it and I am sure they will not. They will simply stay with their futile efforts of trying to “make a silk purse out of a sows ear” (*old Scottish expression). So dear collector, these items retain their integrity because they are original Franz Schnell productions of the Third Reich. 

The pin is about the size of a quarter (about 1 inch in diameter). It says on the edge Der Wille ist Alles 20 April 1933.  This was the most important birthday celebration of the N.S. Party because only three months before, President Paul Von Hindenburg had appointed Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany. There were subsequent lavish and triumphant birthday observances for the “Fuhrer” but none quite so meaningful or joyfully celebrant as this one, like the election style JA pin.  This was a special presentation piece usually presented to those who had diligently helped to bring about the victory of the Party. Look at the JA pin at the section of the site identified as Hitler 22-8-A. This was a very limited issue by the NSDAP and produced by Herr Schnell. This pin is also sometimes found in thin brass.  These was the pins that were actually sold on the week proceeding and during the 1933 celebration. The silver ones wherever sold, were only presented to Party members who deserved the honor. The detail is wonderful! So fine that you can see under magnification the clear letters spelling out “Adolf Hitler Unser Fuhrer”. (Our Leader) These words surround the bust portrait of Hitler as he looked in “Der Kampfzeit” (the struggle for power). The fastening pin on the back is of the standard type as used on most German pins. The 800 silver designation numbers are stamped on the back.  This is an important insignia that shows the popularity of the German leader as well as the solidarity of the Party. Historically valuable for sure!

Presentation Mein Kampf Owned by The Führer (Item AH 26-9)

PRICE: POR; only telephone inquiries on this piece, but please observe the times to call as shown on our opening pages. No wee-hour calls!

DESCRIPTION: It could be a small banner of the type sold at patriotic rallies that Hitler frequented to give political speeches or it could have been a hand out during the election years. The receiver would often put it in the window of the house or frame it to hang on the wall to show solidarity with N.S. Principles and National agenda, in any case the little 15x 9 ½ size item in cloth would have been the proud possession of a loyal NSDAP supporter. This one was picked up in a town hall in Dusseldorf 1949 by a GI looter and he wrote at the bottom, “Hitler Dec. 1944” as if we needed to know what personage was depicted there (Duhh!).  It is a great little souvenir of the Fuhrer and NSDAP regardless of the looter's attempt to identify it.

PRICE: $265.00 -- it has to be rare but certainly reasonable.

Original Poster of Adolf Hitler from WW II Russia “Der Russlandfeldzug” (Item AH 26-11)

The poster measures 34 x 23 (big) and is quite colorful -- the piercing magnetic eyes of the German leader are evident in this depiction. The poster was part of the display of a small Russian museum collection that was broken up a few years ago.  It was printed in Germany and produced by a company whose name appears at the right corner at the bottom, Carl Werner in the city of Reichenbach (see the picture). A very interesting and vastly important relic of the war and crusade against what President Reagan called the Evil Empire.

PRICE: $850.00 rare and prodigiously important

DESCRIPTION: This is a fantastic find that we recently turned up in Germany.  It is a large 21 ½ x 14 meat platter that was rescued from the Berghof -- Hitler’s mountain retreat by an employee who worked in the communications center and befriended the chief cook Arthur Kannenberg who was also head of the household in Berlin, and when Hitler was in residence at the Berghof, Kannenberg would transfer there along with his Fuhrer. It was this cook who after the death of Hitler and Eva Braun knew the Russians and Americans would soon be at the door and the time of sheer horror would begin. Many of the household staff held out at the Berghof until the SS demolition squads came to blow it up so it would not become a “vacation villa” for American or Russian big wigs after the war. In those last days of ’45, Kannenberg took many possession of Hitler’s out of the villa before its destruction. He also gave away certain items from his kitchen cabinets to close acquaintances who he had formally worked with in the better days. The man who received this platter was this communications worker who we suspect was a member of the SS although our German picker was not able to fully ascertain that.  Now the question is why a meat platter when we had always been told Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian? This is for the greatest part totally false information. He actually did have a fondness for roasted game, stuffed squab, and Bavarian sausages but his favorite was by far a succulent  roasted Truthahn (turkey).  He was not however a real carnivore by any means; he avoided meat most of the time but on special occasions in the company of special guests such as Reichsmarshal Hermann Goring and special holidays such as Christmas and Easter he would indulge in meat dishes especially turkey. So in essence, we probably could call this a “turkey platter”. Such heavy silver plated dinnerware was provided by the firm of August Wellner Sohne in Schwabisch Gmund. The material is actually in Alpaca a metal that contains no silver in its content. But it had copper, nickel and zinc in its makeup; the serving trays have always been the most sought after items of Hitler memorabilia. The platter has the National Eagle with wreath and Swastika emblazoned at the top most portion when viewed with the platter standing upright on its longest axis; beside the wreath on both sides are the initials of the Fuhrer Adolf Hitler (AH); on the back of the piece is the Wellner stamp and on a bottom lip is a series of stamped numerals that identify information for inventory. The platter is quite heavy and in great condition except for a slight bulge in the center that is almost unnoticed without very close examination (See our picture).

Other Wellner pieces marked in the same way can be seen also in our pictures; these photos are from the book by Mark D. Griffith M.D. named “Collectors Guide to “Liberated” Adolf Hitler Memorabilia.” We offer this book on our Hitler pages at AH 19-6. At the time Griffith wrote the book no one even had an example of this particular tray to photograph. It is still a very rare piece of Third Reich history very seldom found, and among Hitler collectables this is considered the ultimate by the very few collectors lucky enough to find one over  the years. There were so few of them even back then that you can rest assured that Adolf Hitler for certain was at various times seated before this very platter joyfully  brought forth by Herr Kannenberg on festive occasions.

PRICE: $4,950.00 an incredibly reasonable price considering what simple Hitler flatware is selling for these days! A great investment indeed!

DESCRIPTION: Oberammergau is a municipality in Bavaria, Germany, famous for its production of the great passion play which it has undertaken since 1634.
It is considered a sacred duty and is the result of a vow made by the inhabitants of the village that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plague then
sweeping the region, they would perform a passion play every ten years. We have obtained a prodigiously important guest book from the Hotel Wittelsbach in
Oberammergau dating from 1930 to 1940 which was reserved for the signatures of only its most important guests. The book did not just lie upon the hotel sign-in
desk, it would be brought out especially when a genuine VIP would be a guest, and the blue leather-covered book has a gilt title in German: Unsere Gäste “Our
Guests”, with gilt trimmed edges and contains 200 pages comprising the book. Of these pages, over 40 of them are signed by instantly recognizable personalities out of nearly 400 signatures, the majority of which include some of the most important political and military figures of the Third Reich. The signatures in the book are on pages that were penned by famous and interesting people from the year 1930 all the way to part of 1940, but after that the war was on and the signing would have ceased. It is not known if the hotel was closed after that. Many famous personalities came to the performances but all did not stay at the Wittlesbach Hotel.

The German Führer Adolf Hitler came to Oberamergau in 1930 but probably stayed in Linz, his hometown from earlier days as this was his most beloved city of his youth. Henry Ford came in 1930 and enjoyed a rousing welcome from both the townsfolk and also from all the international crowds of visitors gathered along a
parade route of sorts. Stories are still told of eccentric King Ludwig of Bavaria who was so impressed with the play that he handed out silver spoons to all of the
main actors -- except for the actor who played Judas who received a “tin spoon.” Although the full and grand performances are held every 10 years, shorter
versions are held each year and this delights the folks who might not be able to attend the full performance. Performances are staged in the final year of each decade that is the year whose numeral ends with zero. However these regular performances at 10 year intervals have been punctuated with additional performances as those of 1922 and again an entire cycle of performances in 1934 (over and above the regular 1930 schedule to commemorate the 300th.annivesary of the original vow.) This was considered the greatest and most meaningful of all the plays in the 20th century and that was the reason for all the illustrious guests in 1934 and the fact that a certain ultra-popular world leader and personality would be in attendance made it all the more reason to be there in '34! The next full cast staging will take place in 2020 and the price of the various types of admission and seating would seem “astronomical” to many but I believe it is almost entirely sold out.

The village of Oberammergau is set amidst the wild grandeur of the Bavarian Alps. Lake and forest enfold it on every side and over it towers the mighty peaks of the Ammergebirge. It is a serene peaceful place where the main occupation for the villagers is acting in the passion play and/or being engaged in woodcarving, the other great “passion” of these peasant folk. In 1939 most of the able bodied men folk of Oberammergau had to leave their quiet mountain valley to answer the call of Führer and Fatherland in World War II and many a mother lamented their sons who poured out their life’s blood on the thirsty sands of the desert, on the white wastes of Norway, and many a wife lamented her man who died in the streets of far off Stalingrad or perished in the horrible p.o.w camps maintained by the
victorious allies in the Rhine valley. The shadow of this tragic and terrible fratricidal war still hangs over Europe, but let us hope that the thunder of the guns of war
never again break the serene peace of Oberammergau. In 1940 the play had to be cancelled due to the 1939 outbreak of the war, not to resume until 1950 but
then only after having had to obtain permission from the American Occupation authorities.

DER  FUHRER KOMMT! On August 13, 1934, Adolf Hitler and his large entourage visited the town to attend the 300th anniversary of the Passion play and
he signed and dated a page reserved and devoted to him and below his signature is an original photo of the Führer himself addressing a large crowd from the hotel’s balcony. This photograph was affixed to the page where Hitler’s signature is seen by the hotel staff at the time. There is also another original postcard photo of Hitler in his car in front of the hotel acknowledging the crowd offering him the “Deutschen Gruss’! (The National Socialist stiff armed salute). That card is separate from the book. Ironically six days later the book was signed by William Randolph Hearst, as well as his mistress, movie-star Marion Davies, and the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, William E. Dodd, as the trio were en route to Berlin to meet with Hitler to deliver American Jew's concerns about German policies toward their people. We do not know if such a meeting ever took place but it most likely did not happen in Oberammergau.

Concerning the Jews, there is a signature of Julius Streicher Gauleiter of Gau Franken and publisher of “Der Stürmer” a magazine that rather brusquely discusses
the Jewish question.  He wrote this message on June 7th 1933 when a guest at the hotel: “Without a solution to the Jewish question, there can be no salvation
for the German People!” In another visit on January 20th. 1935  Streicher places a second signed quote into the book: “Who knows the Jew knows the Devil”.

Others who have signed this guest book include:
* British Prime Minister Ramsey Macdonald, and his daughters Ishbel, Joan, and Sheila; they signed the book in 1930.
* Harold Lloyd, Very Famous American film actor and Hollywood star, actually the most popular and influential of the film comedians of the silent era  He signs the book in 1933 and beside his signature he sketches the spectacles (glasses) for which he was well known
* Freiherr von Hünefeld, writes “We remember our nice stay in Oberammergau and the friendly service in in the Wittlesbacher Hof hotel where everybody is most welcome, signed January 6th 1934
* Elizabeth Countess Fugger & Babenhausen, another royal personage whose family helped to develop many important trade relationships and treaties in
Europe that last to this day
* Fredrick P. Small, President of American Express. He brought the company through the Great Depression. He stayed at the hotel and signed the guest book in
July of 1930.
* Ludwig Siebert, Bavarian President, he was highly instrumental in the restoration of all the castles and historically important buildings in Germany. He visited and stayed in June of 1934 
* Martin Bormann, head of the party chancellery and private secretary to Hitler and by the war's end he became second only to Hitler in importance. He was
Hitler’s “right hand man” during the war. He stayed loyal to the Führer right to the end! He visited Oberammagau and signed the guest book March 25th 1935
* Dr. Fritz Todt, the greatest German engineer, architect and senior N.S. figure, Minister of armaments and munitions, he was the Father of the Autobahn and he
supervised the construction of the famed Siegfried wall. He visited the hotel along with Martin Bormann June 25th 1935 as part of the staff of the Fuhrer's deputy 
* Victor Lutze, Commander in Chief of the SA Storm Troops. His wife signed as well. Lutze succeeded Staff chief Ernst Roehm after the “Night of the Long
Knives.“ He was a guest 1/26/35. Later he was a guest again when the SA Leadership conference was held there from the 14th to the 17th, 1935 and he signed the book again.
* Franz Ritter Von Epp, General and Reich’s protector of the N.S. party, he earlier headed the “Von Epp Free Corps” that fought valiantly against the
Communists in the “Kampfzeit” (Time of Struggle). He was also the head of the German Colonial Society, an organization devoted to regaining Germanys lost
colonies. He was a ranking member of the German Reichstag. He stayed at the hotel March 14th through the 17th 1935
* Dr. Robert Ley, head of the N.S. Labor corp. He was unswervingly loyal to Hitler. The creator of the KDF- the Strength Through Joy Program that gave
very special vacation benefits to workers such as cruises on special ships sailing to foreign ports. The KDF was also the program under which the Volkswagen was produced. Ley said in 1938 “I believe on this earth in Adolf Hitler alone. I believe in one lord God who made me and guides me, and I believe this God has sent Adolf Hitler to us.“ He signed the book 13th September 1934
* Leni Riefenstahl, actress and master film maker. She produced the political masterpiece” Triumph of the Will “and the two- part documentary on the Olympic
games of 1936 in Berlin. She was the unofficial documentary camerawoman of the Third Reich. She visited and signed the book in 1935 
* Frau Gertrud Scholtze-Klink, Reichsfüherin Leader for all woman’s groups and organizations in the Reich  This was a lady in every sense of the word; She
would appear an absolute horrible monster to the likes of Gertrude Stein and other such leftist goons. She believed the mission of a woman was to minister in the
home and in her profession to the needs of life from the first to the last moment of man’s existence and to wear dresses and let the man wear the trousers. She was a hotel guest and signed the guest book February 24th.1940
* Otto Meissner, chief of the office of Reich president, his wife signed as well on May 21st 1934
* Heinrich Hoffmann, Hitler’s official photographer. He took over 2.5 million photographs of Hitler. He was his constant companion. Hoffmann Introduced him to Eva Braun. He was there in August 34 in Oberammergau as part of the escort team and practically everywhere else where Hitler would visit. Ready with all his crew and photography equipment to picture the world’s most famous man at work or at leisure.
* Julius Schaub, Close friend of the Führer, later he replaced Bruckner as Hitler’s chief adjutant and was made an SS ObergrüppenFührer – 1944, Schaub went
way back with Hitler and was hired in 1925 as the Führer's personal assistant. In July 1944 he received the 1944 wound badge since he was wounded in the plot of the Generals orchestrated with Colonel Klaus von Stauffenberg to assassinate Hitler July 20th 1944. He arrived along with Hitler at the Wittlesbach Hotel for the 300th performance of Passion play in August 1934. He was part of the team known as the Begleitung Des Führers (Escort !)
* Emil Maurice, Hitler’s bodyguard and chauffeur and later the head of Hitler’s official bodyguard units and later he attained the rank of SS Brigadier General. A
close personal friend of Adolf Hitler although he was partially Jewish. His friendship with Hitler dated  back to 1919 . He arrived with the Führer August 13 1934 as one of the very important members of the Begleitung Des Führers
* Bruno Gesche, SS Obersturmbannführer, one of the most important members of Hitler’s entourage and the commander of the Adolf Hitler personal bodyguard
detachment, the SS Begleitkommando. He of course checked in on the 13th August 1934 with his chief.
* Wilhelm Bruckner, Adolf Hitler’s chief adjutant, and participant in the November 9th 1923 Putsch. He arrived as the leader of the Führer of the Beliegtung
team on August 13, 1934 and then in July 6, 1937 he returned to the hotel again for another visit and in the book besides his signature this time he also writes “Our
sincere thanks for food and drinks, Heil Hitler July 6th 1936. In the war Brucknerserved as an army Colonel.
* Professor Adolf Ziegler, Famous German artist and close friend of Hitler. He was the most favored artist by the Führer who stated that Ziegler’s work was akin to that of perfection! He was tasked by the NSDAP to oversee the purging of degenerate art produced by many of the modern German “artists.” He arrived at the Whittlesbach along with the Hitler entourage on August 13th 1934
* Otto Dietrich, the National press chief, SS Obergrüppenfuhrer and close confidant of Hitler. He was also in the escort team arriving in August 1934 with Hitler
* Dr. Karl Brandt, Hitler’s personal physician. A brilliant young physician who was convicted and sentenced to death at Nuremberg for practicing and experimenting with the very same medical techniques that American doctors were doing for many years previous to this. He arrived with the rest of the Hitler escort team 13 August 1934 and he along with the others of the entourage signed the book.
* Hans von Tschammer und Osten, National sports director, SA Leader and member of the Reichstag, Secretary of State in the Reich’s ministry. He signed in the book on July 18th 1934 and probably stayed right on up to and all during the visit of his Führer. Later in 1940 he was drawn once more to visit Oberammergau and he signed the book again.
* Guntram Pflaum, SS Standartenfuhrer on the personal staff of Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler. He was the managing director of the Lebensborn program. He signed the guest book August 18th or 19th 1934. He might have been part of the security detachment for the Führer who was there on the 13th.
* Elisabeth Dilling, Famous American author, lecturer, and anti-Communist, she claimed that Marxism and Zionism were synonymous. She also thought that “Franklin and Eleanor” were disposed in that direction as well, and of course their great admiration for Good old Uncle Joe Stalin seemed to verify her claim.  She arrived in August 1934 probably hoping to meet the supreme German leader who she admired so adamantly.
* Sister Pia (Eleonore Bauer), Catholic sister and a very important historic personage who tended the wounded following the November 9th, 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. After that historic incident she became a close friend to Hitler and Himmler. She signed her name beneath her quote “For my Fuhrer, for my Fatherland.” She was the only woman recipient of the Order of the Blood (Blutorden ). Earlier she had been a member of the Freikorp Oberland). She was a honored guest at the hotel and she signed the book February 3rd 1935. Some of the liberals and moronic slanderers on certain web forums accuse her of all sorts of improprieties from theft to running a brothel, the true facts however point to a compassionate, God fearing, merciful lady who saw her duty and moved in the way she felt religiously compelled to act in consideration of her views of the prevailing turbulent circumstances of the times.
* Otto Telschow, Gauleiter of East Hannover and Hitler’s favorite politician. Telschow signed the guest book May 29th 1937 under his hand written message that reads –“The will of the Führer is God’s law!”
* Therese Esser, wife of Press Chief of the NSDAP, and Vice President of the Reichstag. A founding member of the NSDAP and an intimate friend of Hitler. He had N. S. Party number 20. She stayed at the hotel September 9th 1934. Therese, like her husband, was a firm believer in Hitler’s National Socialism
* Gauleiter Adolf Wagner, Old Fighter of the N.S. movement and Gauleiter of Gau München Oberbayern. Anna Wagner, his wife, signed as well. The Wagner’s were guests of the hotel July 9th 1933. Wagner was one of the “Alte kampfer .” He was one of the few people who could address Hitler by his first name. After he died in April 1944, he was posthumously awarded the German Order, the Highest and most important decoration of the NSDAP.
* Karl Litzmann The Great WW1 general and later a high NSDAP leader. Hitler deeply admired this elderly warrior and often personally honored him at Veterans Day gatherings and other public events. He arrived along with the leadership inspection group of SA personnel. We are not positive that it was the aged General himself that signed the book on March 14 1935 or possibly his son who was an SA leader
* Herbert Von Richtoffen, Ambassador to Bulgaria
* Julius Dorpmuller, the General manager and president of the German railway system, and Reich’s transport minister. He was present August 18th & 19th 1934
* Max Schmeling, boxer and heavy weight champion of the world. He knocked out American champion boxer Joe Louis after a rematch that Louis won; the two became close friends for the rest of their lives. Schmeling served as an elite Paratrooper in the Luftwaffe during WW II and participated in the German paratrooper assault on the island of Crete. Max was a guest October 10 1931
* The 1936 German Olympic skating team and the 1934 champion ski team. The whole team signed in 1934.
* Harry F. Sinclair, the 1932 oil baron, self-made millionaire, sponsor of many various major sporting events in the U.S.
* Canadian Olympic team on December 31st 1932; the whole team signed their names to the book (over a dozen signatures)
* Prince George of Greece and Denmark, and a host of lesser European nobility. He signed it in June 1935

This album deserves research by a very advanced Germanophile researcher in order to make out the many other unidentified signatures within. This is a very rare collection of Hitler’s hierarchy in the days following his ascendancy to power, and it would be next to utterly impossible to assemble this many important Third Reich signatures all in one grouping. This guest book stands alone in its immeasurable paramount historic importance. The guest book comes with quite a few other items that were accumulated by the former owner, Mr. Donald Boyle, who purchased it from the late well-known and respected Ben Swearingen, author and historian who specialized in the history of the Third Reich .

The inventory is as follows:
No. 1 the guest book itself
No. 2 A beautiful blue leatherette box that form fits and contains the guest book, it has the lettering on its top that says “UNSERE GÄST BUCH HOTEL WITTLESBACH OBERAMMERGAU 1930-1940"; this box was ordered constructed by Don Boyle while the book was in his possession.
No. 3 The above mentioned list of names and the ones further on in this narrative were researched by Mr. Donald Boyle and he did an excellent job of it. Then at another point we had Mr. Wilhelm Reinhard Gehlen one of our historical advisors and as I have often stated “a walking, talking encyclopedia of the Reichs! He is the author of several books including a recent one that documents his life as a member of the pre-Hitler youth boys, the “JUNGVOLK,” and that is the title of his fascinating book subtitled “The story of a boy defending Hitler’s Third Reich." Willi did even more comprehensive research and he came up with about 265 more names that he translated and many of them are highly prestigious personages from many different nations plus a preponderance of Germanic nobility and familiar names in finance, sports and politics names such as:
* Raphel, Prince of von Thurn and Taxis-1930
* Elizabeth, Princess of Von Thurn and Taxis also 1930 (The family of Von Thurn and Taxis was the princely house that was responsible for the postal system in Europe; they were very wealthy and highly regarded in Germany and Europe in genera;l they were the builders of numerous castles and monuments. On the first page from 1930 there are quite a few other royal personages princes, princesses.)
* Karl Erbprinz Leiningen, (Hereditary Prince) is the first signature in the Guest book. He was a guest in 1930
* Wilhelm Heye, General Oberst and Chief of Staff of the 1930 period army.
* Freiherr Von Malsen-Ponickau, SS Brigadeführer who was later Police president in Posen. He stayed at the hotel from June 1st. He probably was there two months ahead of the Führer visit as part of a preparatory security team
* Baron Michiels van Verdupen, Royal Dutch ambassador to Vienna
* Hansi Niese, a well-known Viennese actress (one of the greatest). She visited and boldly signed on August 27, 1930
* Ida Wust, German actress said “Oberammergau is a nice place even in rainy weather!” She was the major female film star in the silent film era; she stared in literally hundreds of films from the silents to the talkies and on to the modern movies. She acted from1923 to 1956. Ida was known to have corresponded with Adolf Hitler throughout the war years. She was said to be one of the many feminine admirers that he seemed to gather. Ida visited and stayed at the hotel 15th July 1933 
* Brig. General L.W. Shannon, London, Ontario, Canada
* Gustav Albrecht Kühlmann, a famous German lawyer who signs and states that he has been a guest for one year in the hotel Wittelsbach; he makes this statement and signs his name on October 10, 1931
* Arthur Conrads, Glasgow, Scotland, writes “friendly reception, good food and service, makes departure from hotel Wittelsbach a sad occasion”
* Elizabeth Countess Fugger & Babenhausen, she was instrumental in establishing international trade for the Kaiser Reich
* Dekien Toung, Charge de Affairs for China in Vienna
* Henry III, Prince of Norway, he signs and says he is presently on vacation
* Ewald Kerth, Sports President of the D.D.A.C. the German automobile association similar to our American Automobile Association; guest in August of 1933
* The skiing championship team of the SA Brigade; 86 were guests at the hotel and 13 of them signed the guest book on  January 1, 1934
* Charlotte B. Howell, June 26, 1934, American Embassy, Paris, with her son and daughter
* Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, American Embassy, Berlin, July 30th 1934

N0. 4 An official NSDAP visit occurred from the 14th to the 17th of March; this was the Fuhrer Appell (muster of  leaders) and our translator Herr Wilhelm Gehlen has translated several signatures of these men. Of very great importance are the more than fifty signatures of high-raking S.A. and future SS officers who accompanied many of the members of the N.S. hierarchy during their 1935 stay at the Wittelsbacher Hof. Just a few among them are:
* Victor Lutze, supreme staff chief of the SA Strurm Abteilung; he was visiting for the second time
* Franz Ritter von Epp, who we have mentioned earlier. He was a very important leader and hero of the anti-Communist Freikorps activities in the turbulent 20’s.
* Herbert Fust, who was a high leader in the Hamburg SA group
* Hans Ludin, SA Obergruppenführer-Ambassador to the Slovak Republic in 1941
* Dietrich Von Jagow, Ambassador to Croatia, holder of the Golden Party badge (Alte Kampfer) Old Fighter
* Walter Dohle, German consul to Jerusalem
* Siegfried Kashe, SA Obergruppenführer-Gruppe Ostmark and Hansa
* Adolf Kob, SA Obergruppenführer and Member of the Reichsstag SA Gruppe Mitte
* Kurt Lasch, also a high SA leaderand important German politician
* Otto Schramme, SA Gruppenführer and Police president of Dortmund; died in 1941 in the battle of Crete
* Adolf Beckerle, the German minister to Sofia, a man with an almost impossible task among the undependable Bulgarians
* Otto Herzog, SA Obergruppenführer (General) from February 1942; he was the inspector and leader in the Mountain SA ( SA Hochland Div.)
* Heinrich Bennecke  SA Obergruppenführer, Blood Order recipient; he was the official historian of the NSDAP.
* Siegfried Kasche, who was an SA Obergruppenführer and ambassador to Croatia.
* Heinz-Guenther Von Obernitz, Major SA official and later Luftwaffe officer
* Max Juettner, SA Obergruppenführer Deputy chief of staff of the SA, Chief of the Mounted SA
* Wilhelm Helfer, SA Führer and political leader, prominent chief in The RZM, the dispensing and approval office of the NSDAP; all official NS articles of wear had to be approved by this office.
* Arthur Rakobrandt, High NS political leader and former officer in the Werewolf Freikorps fighting against the Sparticists and other Communist revolutionaries in the 1920’s
* Heinrich Boemker, SA Leader
* SA Obergruppenfuhrer Hess, SA leader not related to the more famous Rudolf Hess, Stellivertreter des Führers  (Deputy Führer)
* There are many others and some of them with the surnames Mappes. One of them probably was Georg Mappes a holder of the Golden Party badge of the NSDAP. A loyal SA leader
* SS Sturmbannfuhrer G. Pfannon, on August 18th signs the book. He was a representative of the 1st SS Standarte, later he was on the personal staff of Heinrich Himmler.
* SA Standartenführer Steinhof, January 4, 1935; this man’s son was the famed pilot in WW II and after the war he was the commander in chief of the Bundes Luftwaffe.
* Osterkamp (“Theo”), he was a WWI and WWII fighter ace -- this could be him?

There is a page entry that says”From Fields to the sea,.HEIL UND SIEG!” signed SA Gruppenführer in Pomerania and then there are 13 more signatures of these Generals of the Sturmabteilung ( SA Stormtroops) this includes:
* Obergruppenführer Hans Jüttner, who was later with Himmler’s SS Fuhrerhauptamt  staff
* Gerhard Maurer, who became the head of the SS-WVHA, the SS economic department
* Manfred Baeuerle, on March 23, 1936; Stabsführer der HJ who was adjutant to Balder von Schirach, National Jugendführer, signed the book.

It would be great to have good and rather concise biographies of all of these SA and political leaders, and let’s hope that sometime it will be done. On January 2, 1939 three skating champions signed it -- Lydia Wahl Roller skating Champion 1937 -38, Horst Faber Ice figure skating champion for 1939 and Ursula (?) an Ice skating Star -- she says we will return! Princess Victoria of Weid from Neuweid castle signed in Easter of 1939, Six German business directors sign the book in February 1936, Dr. Heinrich Crementz signs it October 1940; he states that he is General Secretary to someone (unfortunately not clear?), H. Glereis signed it -- he was the State president in Munich, A. Dieren and his wife, who was council advisor in Garmish-Partenkirchen, both signed the book. All the above researched names and many more names are provided on separate included papers with indications as to what pages they are on.

No.5 We have an actual edition of the Sunday Times, a newspaper from Nort east Pennsylvania dated August 16, 2009. In the section for local news there is a very informative and interesting article about Mr. Donald Boyle’s acquisition of the guest book. The article was written by staff writer Sharon Sanger. The article is written in a very objective manner and style without the usual hype and fervor that accompanies the writings of other more vehement journalists whenever they write anything concerning Adolf Hitler or any of his cabinet. Generally it is nothing but a bombastic bit of yellow rag assault as if the man had no redeeming virtues at all. The title that Sharon Sanger gave to the article is “Guest Book a Snapshot of history.” In the article, Boyle is quoted as saying “To me it isn’t history unless I bring it to life“ he said, “And I have brought it to life.” Frank Homer, Ph.D., an emeritus professor of history at the University of Scranton couldn’t resist a few adverse jibes at the Führer after he was shown the book. He says of Hitler “He was not without a certain level of popularity.” What an understatement! Adolf Hitler was to the Germans and millions of European people, practically the Archangel Michael, he appeared before adoring crowds of multiple thousands, he received more public support than any other historical national leaders ever has, and even when the war was nearly at its tragic end the cry still went up “Heil Unsere Führer!" Like this historical fact or not, Adolf Hitler never lost the support and adoration of the greater part of the German Population. (MY opinion.) Mr. Boyle said in the end of the article “We are keepers of history. We have to preserve it or it won’t be around for future generations!"
No. 6 Mr. Boyle assembled a little book of photographs that he took of all the pages of the Guest book with the pictures of the photos of Hitler arriving at the hotel 13 August 1934 and the picture of Der Führer as he was seen on the balcony of the hotel returning the salute of the excited crowd that had assembled below. This compressive group of pictures also includes enlarged images of the signatures of the most important personalities plus some earlier views of the Hotel and a few pictures of the advertisements for the passion play and pictures of scenes from the actual play.
No 7 There is a 144 page booklet that measures 5 x 7 inches that is an explanation of all that the play is about. It is printed in the German language. This is the Jubiäums text book 1634-1934.
No.8 Another booklet 142 pages long in explanation of the play in 1930 plus another one that is from 1939
No. 9 the two actual period photo cards with the early view of the Wittlsbach and the 1934 picture of Hitler’s arrival.
No. 10 another book but this time the scenes from the play are in rich full color the book measures 9 1/2" by 6" and has 32 beautiful pictures in an advanced German photographic mastery even in 1930; the short text is in German and English
No. 11 A beautiful travel brochure from Germany with its main feature an explanation of the Oberammergau Passionsspiel” (Passion play); it measures 9x4 when folded and 18" x 19" when fully open, it contains many very fine images of the grounds and the performance
No. 12 A suitcase label that thankfully was never used or abused. It measures 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" in size it is quite colorful and is from “The Hotel Wittlesbach, world famous place of the passion play.“
No 13  The official prospectus brochure for the Jubilee performance celebrating the 300th year of the play in Oberrammergau in 1934; this is of course the year of Hitler’s visit with his entourage; the brochure is all enveloping with many pictures of the actors, wood carvings etc. that commemorate this special 1934 performance
No.14 There is a 3 ring binder of various pictures and letters assembled by Mr. Boyle that are connected to the saga of the guest book. In it is a picture of Hitler as he entered the playhouse, this was sent to Boyle by a lady by the name of Margarette Bigalke who was there in 1934 and saw the Führer and briefly talked with him. Her reply to a letter from Don concerning the guest book is both informative and charming. There is also a six page explanation procured through the internet most likely that gives a great history of the play and the actors. In the article it amazingly mentions the attempt on the part by various Jewish groups to pressure the town to temper or omit what they see as a decidedly anti-Semitic message, but the passion play is to many people not just a stage production but a faithful depiction drawn from holy religious text. To many, especially in Oberammergau, it is “Sacrosanct” thus the council that oversees the production has historically been resistant to any change and after all they reason that in the end the story is the same. It is a historical fact that the Jews could have set Jesus free but they chose to let him die an agonizing death on the cross.

When Adolf Hitler came to Oberammergau in 1934, his passion for the play was stirred up and he simply intensified and vocalized ideas already established for some time among large segments of Germans and most of the world’s Christians. Hitler was a decided fan of Pontius Pilate who he exalted by commenting: “It is vital that the passion play be continued at Oberammergau; for never has the menace of Jewry been so convincingly portrayed as in this presentation of what happened in the times of the Romans. There one sees in Pontius Pilate a Roman racially and intellectually so superior that he stands out like a firm, clean rock in the middle of the whole muck and mire of Jewry.” The biggest complaint that Jewish people have against the play and of the New Testament itself is what has come to be called the “blood curse” -- “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” This obviously is a direct biblical condemnation of the Jews of that time as the killers of Christ and their descendants are accused of being just as guilty of the sins of their forefathers. Those who defend the play see it simply as a re-inactment of a great pivotal event in Christendom, it is a story and like most stories there are villains, sometimes Persian, sometimes Roman or Egyptian. In history many different groups have played the villain. They insist the intent of the passion play is not to vilify any group but to glorify Jesus Christ and his labors on behalf of the people he called his sheep!

Also in this binder there are several letters that are correspondence of  Mr. Boyle and Mr. Ben Swearingen dating as far back as 1984. These are the actual letters that were passed  between Ben Swearingen for instance with Julius Streibel the owner of the hotel. Ben was looking for confirmation and any other information that could be helpful to his research. There is also the original of a 2009 letter to Don Boyle from Frau Stefane Terrnes who evidently now owns the Hotel inheriting it through the family. She is the daughter of Julius Streibel. In both letters they appealed for the guest book to be returned but after it was bought each time by each collector the price went up so considerably that it made it impossible for any of the owners to be able to make it a donation although this would be a great thing to do if someone were to have the funds necessary to effectuate such a charitable act. Also in this binder there are several scholarly reviews and histories of the passion play then and now, all in order. There is an information package from internet sources on Ramsay Macdonald, the British Prime minister who along with his wife and family signed the book, as well as some information and a picture of William E. Dodd and his wife. It is truly ironic that the signature of this ambassador to Germany who was a virulent anti-Nazi Germanophobe would lend his autograph to the same guest book as Adolf Hitler signed.

No. 15  One of the most famous actors that played the part of the savior was Anton Lang the most famous of all the men who played Jesus in the passion play. He was first chosen to play the Christus in the year 1900 and then he performed the part in 1910 and 1922.  He was not well thought of by the National Socialist Hierarchy; they considered him a rather leftist liberal. He for sure was a pacifist and was rather sympathetic to the Jewish demands even back then to remove the “Blood curse” from the play. None the less Lang was accused of anti-Semitic activity by the yellow rag journalist Billy Wilder in the New York Times. Wilder said that Lang was a hard core Fascist and he was supposed to have done all sorts of terrible racist deeds but later it was revealed that the silly leftist Wilder mixed up Anton Lang with Alois Lang who was given to supporting the NSDAP and Hitler. Alios Lang played the part of the Christ in 1930 and the Jubilee performance in 1934 and at this performance Adolf Hitler personally thanked him for his brilliant portrayal of Christ. Along with the Group there is an original photograph of Anton Lang, post card size that bears his actual signature. There is also a hand signed picture postcard size of Anny Rutz who played the Virgin Mary in the presentation of the 300th year of its presentation 1934 and earlier in 1930, when she also stared in that role. There is also a picture of her (unsigned) that is an actual postcard sent from Nuremberg with cancelled stamp from 1930. Also there are two more postcards with photographs of two of the famed actors who were in the 1930 play. One of them is Judas. These two cards have the canceled stamps and the veiled cross logo of the Passion play association.
No. 16 There is another 3 ring binder put together by Mr. Boyle that has short biographies of many of the National Socialist notables that signed the guest book. This is mostly copies from Charles Hamilton’s two volume set of books entitled  “Leaders and Personalities of the Third Reich; Ttheir Biographies and Autographs.”
No. 17 There are five finely framed images of some of the pictures of the events already mentioned. The black frames are 9" x 11" in size, all matching; the pictures inside are 6 1/2" by 5". They are very professionally done as framing is the vocation and business of Don Boyle. Each of them contain crystal clear images and each has a really nice and professionally executed black plastic label explaining what the picture is about. A nice touch to a practically profound historical grouping.
No. 18 This is something the present owner found in Germany many years ago and he recently decided that it should be added to the group -- it is a commemorative plate by the famed German porcelain company Rosenthal that is in Serb Bavaria. The plate was produced in 1922 and depicts Anton Lang as he played Jesus. The plate is original to the exact period and a valuable and important addition to the fabulous grouping. The diameter of the plate is 8 1/2 inches and has a beautiful background of soft blue.
No. 19 Ida Wüst, postcard size picture of the famous UFA German screen actress who was very much a Hitler admirer (see our description earlier in this narrative.)

So that is the whole inventory at this point. Never has a more important group of such prodigiously great signatures of NS leaders along with the signatures of some of the world’s most famous personalities been offered all in one volume, at least that we are aware of. This is undoubtedly the ultimate collection of the above mentioned, but perhaps its importance is also found in the fact that our presentation of the book and its signers represent a certain divergence from the so called facts that Court Historians seem to cling to. Often they are speaking from inside the proverbial box! This guest book must be preserved.

Regardless of whether one is a Hitlerophile or a Hitlerophobe, it is a fact that it was Adolf Hitler who said in 1937 in Munich at the opening of the House of German Art: “Kein Volk LebtLänger als die Dokumente Seiner Kultur." No people live longer than the documentation of their Culture! Never has there been such a cumulative signature collection (from so many diverse cultures, historic epochs, and conflicting opinions) like this one being offered. It is without a doubt the absolute epiphany of prodigiously important autograph collectables. Regardless of what might be your opinion or outlook on some of the persons and signatories assembled within, one prodigiously important fact emerges and that is this -- All had come to beautiful and historic Oberammergau to watch and feel the passion of Jesus Christ the redeemer as acted out for centuries by these devout towns folk who lived up to their covenant with a almighty and merciful God that was made in 1634. Now 300 years later they came as if on a pilgrimage. Was it with genuine piety aforethought? Or, was it for propaganda value? Was it a mixture of both? In any case after talking with people fortunate enough to have attended a performance in years gone by I feel that the play itself when viewed must have a spiritual feeling that transcends politics and wars or rumors of wars. Here was and is a sacred place where many people came and still come to celebrate the life and death of the Christ who they revered as the great son of God, The Messiah!  They left behind their signatures so future generations will know they were there in Oberammergau 300 years after that first great performance in the gorgeous and peaceful Bavarian mountains.

We now present the guest book from the Hotel Wittlesbach in the hopes that it will find a place where it can be safely and securely displayed. It is truly a historical treasure and its profound importance cannot be minimized.

PRICE: We offer it at $26,500.00

Page One

Page Two

Page Three

Page Four

Page Five

Page Six

Page Seven

Page Eight

Page Nine

Page Ten

Page Eleven

Page Twelve

Page Thirteen

Page Fourteen

Page Fifteen

Page Sixteen

Page Seventeen

Page Eighteen

Page Nineteen

Page Twenty