October 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2012
Josef Mengele autograph letter signed from 1942 during his service as physician to the Nazi regime. His unspeakable acts of human experimentation are in horrific contradiction to the content of this affectionate, though somewhat manic, letter to his wife Irene, requesting her assistance in procuring basic human comfort items such as sugar and shoe polish. Dated 17 January 1942, while Mengele was serving in the Nazi army deep behind Russian lines. Letter translates in full: ''My dear Butzele! Just right now, I found out that some of our captains will be going back to Germany to attend a further SS officer training (Fuhrerschule), and I will use the opportunity to send a letter to you. Most importantly, I want you to know that I'm doing well. I wanted to ask you a few favors. Please send sugar on a regular basis. Your jam was highly appreciated since it was something else to eat for a change. I really need a comb and nail clippers. Since I lost my medical books (and my britches!), I would really appreciate it if you could send me a used copy of 'The Guide for Diagnostics and Therapy' [''Diagnostisches und Therapeutisches Vademecum,'' medical textbook for physicians.] I'm supposed to know everything there is to know about medicine, and that's asking too much from an expert on racial hygiene, like myself. With the help of a small textbook, I will get the information on most diseases really fast; I think you understand what I'm saying. A Russian dictionary would also be quite useful since I assume it contains more words pertaining to everyday life. The dictionary that the army gave us only deals with military topics. The Russian language is difficult, but you can converse a little bit with a few words and basically no grammar. I think I could speak Russian fluently in a few years since nobody pronounces the endings. I just had another idea: How about some shoe polish? Please send a can if this is not too much trouble for you. I don't need shoe polish in order to wear shiny shoes; I have to maintain the seams. Without maintenance the seams burst! My darling, how are your studies coming along? Have you heard anything about your job in Munich? did you get the certificate? In conclusion, I want to tell you that I'm terribly in love with you! Yes! And you love me too, don't you? With lots of kisses, your Butz.'' Upon the verso, he writes from ''Dr. J. Mengele'' and writes the name of his wife ''Irene Maria Mengele'' along with her address in Germany. One page letter in blue ink, in German, on green stationery measuring 8.5'' x 11.25''. Mailing folds with slight chipping to edges, else fine condition.
Joseph Mengele 1942 ALS to His Wife -- ''...I'm supposed to know everything there is to know about medicine, and that's asking too much from an expert on racial hygiene, like myself...''
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