A Belfast auction house has cancelled the planned sale of Nazi memorabilia due to 'sensitivities'.
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Swastika-emblazoned tableware from Nazi Germany was expected to sell for about £20,000 when bidding opened at Bloomfield Auctions on Tuesday evening.
But the items - reportedly produced for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday - have been withdrawn following controversy.
Bloomfield Auctions managing director Karl Bennett said they would not sell similar items in the future.
He said: 'In light of the sensitivities surrounding the items, we've taken the decision to withdraw the sale, and they will not be sold by this company in the future.'
The move comes after a Jewish community leader described the planned sale as 'sick'.
Belfast Jewish Community chairman Michael Black said people 'would feel uneasy' about the sale.
Bloomfield Auctions had earlier posted on Facebook about the 'historically rare' items, including silver cutlery, tablecloth and napkins.
The post said the tableware was intended for use in a carriage that was to form part of Hitler's personal train just before the outbreak of World War Two.
'Uneasy'
The tablecloth, which was described as 'probably the only one known to exist today', is embroidered with the letters 'DR' for Deutsche Reichsbahn - German National Railway - and a swastika.
Four small napkins with similar embroidery form part of the collection.
The silver forks, knives and spoons in the collection feature the Deutsche Reichsbahn crest.
'Stamp out Nazi trade'
It is not illegal to sell Nazi memorabilia in the UK but such sales are banned in other parts of Europe, including in Germany and Austria.
Christie's, Sotheby's and Bonhams, three of the world's biggest auction houses, refuse to trade items connected to Nazi Germany.
Jewish leader Mr Black said it was the first time he had been aware of plans to auction Nazi memorabilia in Belfast.
'It's a bit sick when these things come up,' he told BBC News NI.
'Most people would feel uneasy about something like this, whether they were Jewish or not.
'Nobody is breaking the law with this but the less oxygen these things get, the better.'
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said the auction 'plays straight into the hands' of groups that 'fetishise relics like these'.
'It is incumbent on auction houses to ensure that the trade in Nazi mementos is stamped out,' added a spokesman for the campaign group.
'Instead of seeking to earn a commission, the auction house should have had regard for the survivors of the Holocaust and the families of its victims, who will be distressed and repulsed by this sale.'
Loo roll and silverware
In 2017, Irish auction house Whyte's was criticised for its 'tasteless' decision to sell items from the Third Reich period, including a Nazi sash.
Oliver Sears, who is the son of a Holocaust survivor and owns a gallery on the Dublin same street as Whyte's, said he thought it was 'quite appalling'.
But auctioneer Ian Whyte said he believed it was 'a form of censorship to say collectors cannot collect what they like, provided it is legal'.
Last year, cutlery made to celebrate Hitler's 50th birthday was sold at auction in England for £12,500.
The silverware was found during a house clearance in Dorset, having belonged to a senior military officer.
Toilet paper issued to the Nazi leader's army during World War Two went up for sale at an auction at Whyte's in Dublin in 2017.
The unopened roll of Edelweiss brand paper was valued at up to €120 (£103).
And an 'extremely rare' signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf was sold at auction for £17,000 in Lancashire in 2017, far surpassing its £2,500 estimate.
The swastika-embossed 1935 edition bears the Nazi dictator's signature on the front fly leaf.
Original WW II German Collectibles
Spanning from 1939 to 1945, World War II was one of the most brutal conflicts in human history. The Third Reich, led by Adolf Hitler, rampaged across Europe until it was finally defeated by Allied forces in 1945. A vast amount of World War II memorabilia from Nazi Germany can be found for sale to history and military enthusiasts who like to collect them.
What Nazi memorabilia from World War II is available?
There are numerous types of German militaria available from World War II. A variety of items of Nazi memorabilia are commonly sold and traded. Some of the following items, and more, are plentiful, while others are harder to find.
- Photographs: Prints that dramatically show the events of World War II, featuring the German Wehrmacht (army), Kriegsmarine (navy), and Luftwaffe (air force) are often depicted. Most available images are reproductions of photos taken by German and Nazi military photographers during the war. They may have been edited or cleaned up in some fashion. Alternatively, vintage photographs – or original prints – are sometimes available, but can be harder to find. Those include actual prints that were developed during the war using the technology that was available at the time. These items may show their age, but many collectors feel they are worth buying for their authenticity.
- Military equipment: While firearms cannot be shipped directly, non-functional firearms can be found for sale. The stock and frames of the K98 and other famed original German rifles can be bought. In addition, accessories like the MG42 dual-purpose barrel carrier are available. Unlike the rifles, vintage knives like the standard-issue Wehrmacht K98 bayonet are functional weapons. Other equipment includes Luger gun stock holsters, Nazi uniforms, and the characteristic M35 helmets. The well-known Iron Cross medal that was awarded for valor and heroism during World War II is another notable find.
- Propaganda, flags, and booklets: Nazi Germany produced copious amounts of propaganda, flags, and booklets during World War II. They were fond of deluging the public with these items in order to strengthen the NSDAP (Nazi Party). These antiques range from the well-known swastika-emblazoned red flags to the ominous pamphlets of the Waffen-SS.
If you’re seeking authentic Nazi militaria, keep in mind that these items will show some wear. Documents, pictures, or equipment that seem too clean and crisp are probably fake. Attention should also be paid to the historical accuracy of items. For instance, take a close look at an item like an Iron Cross medallion. All Iron Cross medals from World War II have a swastika engraved in the middle. If you come across one that isn’t swastika-emblazoned, it’s either fake or not from World War II. Paying attention to the small details as well as the overall quality will help you get authentic militaria.