Judul : Should Nazi Artifacts Be Banned?
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Should Nazi Artifacts Be Banned?
A German auction house has been compelled to cancel the sale of Nazi-related items, such as a Star of David showing "evidence of use." How are transactions involving artifacts from the Nazi period controlled, and who is interested in purchasing them?
Nazi records regarding forced sterilization at the Dachau concentration camp, Gestapo index cards, the journals of an unknown Polish Jew who endured the Holocaust, and Star of David symbols from theBuchenwald concentration camp.
These are a few of the pieces that were scheduled to be auctioned by the Felzmann auction house in the western German city ofNeuss this week prior to its cancellation due to public reaction.Numerous items available for sale under the title "System of Terror Vol II," which date from 1933 to 1945, included the names and private details of those who were targeted.
Regarding victims of Nazi persecution and Holocaust survivors, this auction is a cynical and disgraceful action that leaves them angry and unable to speak," said Christoph Heubner, the executive-vice president of the International Auschwitz Committee, in a statement. "They should be showcased in museums or memorial exhibits, not reduced to simple commodities.
"Such a situation is entirely unsuitable, and it is essential to recognize our moral duty towards the victims to stop occurrences like this," said Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. He further urged for an outright prohibition on the commercial sale of these items within Germany.
Complete prohibition on the sale of Nazi relics is 'unfeasible'
Previous auctions of items from the Third Reich have taken place in Germany, and it is simple to locate dealers online. This is due to the fact that a comprehensive ban would be legally impractical, as stated by Leipzig-based lawyer Peter Gischke.
It's unbearable, but it's not a crime to even think about such a vile action. No criminal law anywhere can stop that," Gischke said to okay1. "When our foreign minister, for understandable reasons, states that all of this must be prohibited, that's fine, but what exactly do you intend to ban? Do you want to ban every letter written between 1933 and 1945?
Under Section 86 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), it is illegal to distribute, produce, trade, or publicly display propaganda materials from unconstitutional organizations in Germany, including books. This legislation covers materials such as swastikas and the SS Totenkopf (skull) emblem, produced by any outlawed group, regardless of whether they are on the left or right side of the political spectrum, with certain exceptions.exemptions applicable for use in art pieces or academic settings.
It specifically prohibits the distribution and exhibition of propaganda materials designed to further the objectives of the Nazi regime,Specifically, flags, badges, uniform components, slogans, and greeting gestures such as the Sieg Heil or "Hitler salute." Items featuring Nazi symbols can be sold, but the symbols must be covered or blurred in the case of online sales.
"Dissemination — and dissemination is a broad term — also involves displaying a Nazi flag in my living room and hosting 20 individuals for a warm evening, as this constitutes the distribution of a Nazi symbol, which is indeed illegal in Germany," Gischke explains.
While possessing a copy of Hitler'sMein KampfHaving books on your shelf is not a crime, but producing multiple copies and selling them at a local flea market definitely is. These situations can be reported to the police and recorded by anyone in the public.
For sale: Hitler's watch and Harry Truman's correspondence
Laws regarding the sale of Nazi relics are in place in Austria, France, and Hungary. However, in the US and other regions, it remains largely unregulated. It is challenging to determine the exact size of this market, but demand is increasing, according to Bill Panagopulos, who runs Alexander Historical Auctions in Maryland.
Although prominent auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's decline to deal with these items, Panagopulos's auction housemade the news in 2022 due to the sale of a golden wristwatchSupposedly owned by Adolf Hitler and a dress worn by Eva Braun, Hitler's wife. Although Jewish leaders from the European Jewish Association expressed outrage, calling the auction "an abhorrence," the watch was sold for $1.1 million.
Panagopulos admits that he has "faced a lot of criticism" over the years because of his work, but he denies "the widespread claim that individuals are benefiting from the Holocaust."
He is of the opinion that the auction in Neuss should have taken place, merely to avoid the artifacts from vanishing completely.
It is, in my opinion, a crime that they are not sold in a public forum, as it prevents the material from being accessible to families, researchers, and institutions," he said to okay1. "I would prefer not to profit from it, but I would rather not see it sold secretly or discarded in the trash.
The father of Panagopulos hails from the Greek village of Kalavryta, where Nazi forces carried out a deadly massacre that claimed the lives of numerous men and boys over the age of 14. Women and children were gathered and confined in a nearby school, which was then set ablaze, though they managed to flee. He mentions possessing a framed document featuring a unique signature from Karl von Le Suire, the Nazi general who authorized the massacre, along with Wilhelm Speidel, the Nazi military leader overseeing occupied Greece during that period. For Panagopulos, this artifact serves as a "reminder of past atrocities."
Many historically important items are sold to Jewish purchasers, according to him. When questioned about whether he perceives a connection between the rise of right-wing extremism and the seemingly increasing market for artifacts from the Third Reich, he states that neo-Nazis are "too ignorant and too financially disadvantaged to purchase this kind of material and they aren't interested in it."
The typical billionaire client with a dark inclination is also largely a misconception, he states.
Panagopulos offers a wide range of items appealing to collectors, including relics from slavery like shackles and sale documents, as well as Confederate swords and banners from the American Civil War. The most sought-after pieces are those connected to the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War, and to a lesser extent, the Korean War. The most valuable items he refers to as "content material," which are objects with significant historical importance.
"You can purchase a letter from Harry Truman that reads, 'Thank you for the smoked fish,' which is quite dull and will cost $120. Many years ago, I sold a letter from Harry Truman detailing why he chose to drop the bomb on Hiroshima, and it was sold for $20,000," he explains.
Scientists search eBay and second-hand stores
Fritz Backhaus, a historian and head of collections at the German Historical Museum (DHM) in Berlin, is well aware of the anger surrounding the sale of Third Reich relics. According to him, these items should remain in public institutions where they can be thoroughly studied, maintained, and displayed in the correct setting.
It's a crucial conversation that has now begun about the ethical, legal, and academic issues related to the trade of items from the Nazi era, especially those belonging to victims or reflecting their experiences," Backhaus said to okay1. "The key issue is always the background and provenance of the object being offered. Were they acquired unfairly, and is there any information about how the person donating the item came to possess it?
Most artifacts from the Third Reich in the DHM have been given by members of the public, according to Backhaus. When the Third Reich fell, German society was flooded with Nazi propaganda, and during the immediate post-war years, much of it was either destroyed or concealed. However, Backhaus notes that since the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, an increasing number of items have been coming to light.as perspectives on the most effective way to address Germany's troubled history evolve.
Museum researchers enjoy monitoring auction catalogs and upcoming sales, prepared to acquire items that hold specific historical significance for their collections.
"It's challenging for us to keep up due to the vast amount of material available in the market, such as on eBay and at flea markets," he mentioned.
When talking about the market for such items, Backhaus mentions that "there is an attraction to evil, and for some, a form of admiration for National Socialism within right-wing extremist groups."
He also refers to a significant acquisition by the DHM from the son of Wolfgang Haney, a person whose Jewish mother endured the Holocaust by hiding and who dedicated himself to acquiring as much Third Reich anti-Semitic propaganda as possible in order to give it to research institutions.
I'm less thrilled when someone discovers Hitler's toothbrush
Thomas Weber is a history professor at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and the author ofThe Rise of Hitler: The Formation of a NaziHe mentions that while he would rather people choose the ethical option by contributing to public organizations, he is uncertain whether implementing a complete ban "would lead to the outcome we all desire."
"The unexpected outcome of a ban is not that this type of market will completely vanish [...] you risk that this content might actually disappear permanently through improper channels," he said to okay1.
Individual motivations vary among people, according to Weber. For certain individuals, it's a pastime similar to how others collect stamps or Astin Martins. There is an excitement in the pursuit, which Weber compares to Indiana Jones searching for the Holy Grail.
I also get very excited when I come across new documents in private collections, which occasionally happens, but I'm not as thrilled when someone discovers Hitler's toothbrush or Göring's lederhosen or thislast week amid all the reports regarding Hitler's DNA, this kind of fixation on small penises and similar topics, that is something I just find extremely annoying," he says.
The biggest collection of Nazi relics is reportedly gathered by British billionaire Kevin Wheatcroft. His personal collection features Panzers and the door from Hitler's prison cell in Landsberg, where he wroteMein Kampf.Wheatcroft even asserts that he sleeps in the bed of the Nazi leader.
Edited by: Sarah Hofmann
Author: Helen Whittle
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