March 15-17, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/17/2022
Third Reich Adolf Hitler Bust which was captured by Lieutenant Robert A. Bonner who served with the 1st Infantry Division throughout World War II. The bust was taken from the exterior of an Aachen public building, according to one of the articles. This impressive bust of Adolf Hitler measures 16” x 12” x 14”. The bust was hollow cast from zinc which then received a high quality bronze plating over the exterior. The bust’s features are crisp and detailed with evidence of hand enhancing after the original casting by the artist. Some dents and gouges can be observed on the exterior which, due to its large size and weight, is from handling during and also after the war. The bust’s bronze finish has areas of flaking and wear throughout. Stress cracks can be observed on the bridge of the nose, the right side of the nose (as bust is facing), and the front hairline area. It is not known if these cracks pass through to the inside of the bust. The original mounting step for mounting the bust to a piece of marble is broken. As such, the bust cannot stand in the upright position on it’s own. The lower reverse of the bust is maker marked for Ferdinand Liebermann. The bust is accompanied by 3 period newspaper articles, 2 of which show photos of the bust with Bonner's daughter in 1945 after his war trophies were sent back to his home in Maine. One is captioned "AMONG HER SOUVENIRS--Judith Bonner, 6, appraises a bust of Adolph Hitler, which her father, First Lt. Robert A. Bonner, AUS, picked up in Aachen." There is a small note which was written in ink next to the caption on the second article that reads "Sent by Capt. Ray Uffner 1/12/44". The third newspaper article is of a small excerpt regarding Bonner his earning of the Silver Star. As if the provenance could not be any more solid, The lot includes a period 9" x 7" high quality photograph of Judith Bonner as she posses next to the Hitler bust surrounded by her father's war trophies as she wears the Fallschirmjaeger helmet in lot 3227. The photo is marked on the reverse "Mail to Mrs. Robert Bonner 169 Bolton Street City". The photo is undoubtedly the original copy from the newspaper which took the photos in order to have them published in the local paper. This is an excellent and incredibly well documented piece of World War II history. CONDITION: Very Good. PROVENANCE: Lt. Robert A. Bonner Collection. DMW/JLD
Item Dimensions: 20" X 20" X 20"
Paperwork
Period Photo, Newspaper Articles, Collection Flyer Provenance