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Fury at 'sick' Hitler tablecloth sale in Belfast | Fury at 'sick' Hitler tablecloth sale in Belfast |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An auction of swastika-emblazoned tableware from Nazi Germany has been described as "sick" by a Jewish community leader. | An auction of swastika-emblazoned tableware from Nazi Germany has been described as "sick" by a Jewish community leader. |
The silver cutlery set, tablecloth and napkins - estimated to fetch £20,000 - are said to have been produced for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday. | The silver cutlery set, tablecloth and napkins - estimated to fetch £20,000 - are said to have been produced for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday. |
Bidding is due to open at Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast on Tuesday evening. | Bidding is due to open at Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast on Tuesday evening. |
But people "would feel uneasy" about the sale, said Belfast Jewish Community chairman Michael Black. | But people "would feel uneasy" about the sale, said Belfast Jewish Community chairman Michael Black. |
Bloomfield Auctions, which posted images of the "historically rare" items on its Facebook page, has yet to respond to a request for comment. | Bloomfield Auctions, which posted images of the "historically rare" items on its Facebook page, has yet to respond to a request for comment. |
The tablecloth is embroidered with the letters "DR" for Deutsche Reichsbahn - German National Railway - and a swastika. | The tablecloth 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. | Four small napkins with similar embroidery form part of the collection. |
The silver forks, knives and spoons that are for sale feature the Deutsche Reichsbahn crest. | The silver forks, knives and spoons that are for sale feature the Deutsche Reichsbahn crest. |
Bloomfield Auctions said in its Facebook post that 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. | Bloomfield Auctions said in its Facebook post that 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. |
In the post, the auction house said the tablecloth was "probably the only one known to exist today". | In the post, the auction house said the tablecloth was "probably the only one known to exist today". |
'Stamp out Nazi trade' | '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. | 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 Nazi memorabilia being auctioned in Belfast. | Jewish leader Mr Black said it was the first time he had been aware of Nazi memorabilia being auctioned in Belfast. |
"It's a bit sick when these things come up," he told BBC News NI. | "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. | "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." | "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". | 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. | "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." | "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 | Loo roll and silverware |
In 2017, the Irish auction house Whyte's was criticised for its "tasteless" decision to sell items from the Third Reich period, including a Nazi sash. | In 2017, the 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". | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | The swastika-embossed 1935 edition bears the Nazi dictator's signature on the front fly leaf. |