Perth auction house under fire for 'perverse and twisted' sale of Adolf Hitler items
The chairman of Australia's civil rights organisation has condemned a Perth auction house for selling historic items belonging to Adolf Hitler, slamming the move as a "spit on the graves" of soldiers killed during the Holocaust.
The auction house JB Military Antiques in Morley has listed seven items part of the Adolf Hitler collection for sale on an online marketplace, with price tags up to $9000.
The collection includes "very rare" items advertised as belonging to Hitler, such as a white metal cigar box, crystal wine decanter, ice bucket, gravy boat, hairbrush, handheld mirror and table brushes.
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A Perth auction house has been condemned for selling historic items belonging to Adolf Hitler. Supplied Nine
The collection includes "very rare" items advertised. Supplied Nine
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich told 9news.com.au he was outraged the collection was up for sale, calling for the auction house to "immediately withdraw" the items.
"The perverse and twisted sale of these blood-stained items that belonged to a monster tramples on the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and is a spit on the graves of the valiant diggers who sacrificed their lives to defeat this evil tyrant," he said.
"It is also a kick in the stomach of the survivors who have suffered enough.
"If Hitler was alive today, he would be thanking JB Military Antiques and applauding their lurid trade, delighted that his legacy is being mainstreamed and promoted in Australia."
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The items have Nazi insignia and the initials "AH". Supplied Nine
A number of bids have been made on the items, as they are listed with hefty price tags up to $9000. Supplied Nine
The items feature Nazi insignia and the initials "AH", with the auction scheduled to take place in Perth on Sunday morning.
JB Military Antiques owner Jamey Blewitt said while the Holocaust was a "terrible" part of the 20th century, he would continue to sell items of such nature in the future as they remained an important part of history.
"Whilst this is a period of history which has caused and continues to cause pain and discomfort for a great number of people ... these items are sold as historical artifacts in their nature and speak more about the educational legacy ... as opposed to me or my auction house wanting to glorify or promote nazism or the ideals and beliefs of Adolf Hitler," Mr Blewitt said.
The items have several bids and date back to the World War II period of the 1920s-1940s.
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The auction house says the items are an important part of 20th century history. Supplied Nine
Dr Abramovich implored the Western Australian government to criminalise the sale of Nazi memorabilia.
"The extermination and dehumanisation of millions should not have a tag price and be offered to the highest bidder," he said.
When asked if he was aware of the hurt the items could cause to Holocaust survivors, Mr Blewitt acknowledged their pain but insisted they could not be wiped out of history.
"Whilst I am very aware that members of the Jewish and other communities that were directly affected by the Nazi regime would not like to see such items for sale, there is actually a large number of worldwide collectors who not only collect such items, but feel the need to preserve these as artifacts from history."
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