PERIOD 1938 OIL PAINTING OF ADOLF HITLER BY PAUL SEGIETH

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021

A period oil painting of Adolf Hitler signed by known artist "Paul Segieth". The painting was executed with oil paint over a canvas. The artist gave much attention to detail as he captured the features of Adolf Hitler, as well as Hitler's Iron Cross, tie eagle, and party armband. Light brush strokes can be seen in areas when viewed at certain angles. The upper right corner of the panting is signed by the artist, "Paul Segieth", and the upper right corner with the date "1938". The painting has been reframed in a brown stained oak frame. A small hole is observed on the lower trim of the frame. The painting is accompanied by a VHS tape and flash drive that contains a February 20, 1993 interview of the veteran who claimed to have captured this painting during the end of World War II. The veteran is identified by the consigner as Mr. Mahan, who states in the interview that he was a member of the 45th Infantry Division and took this painting from the walls of Hitler's apartment in Munich. According to Mr. Mahan, he was placed in Prinzregentenplatz 16 with other members of his unit until their regiment's colonel took over the premises. During his brief stay in the apartment, he removed the painting from its original frame and hit it in his sleeping bag. He brought all of his souvenirs home with him after the war and had the painting reframed. The 45th Infantry Division was a very decorated unit that acquired an extensive combat record. The division's combat chronicle began when the men of the 45th landed in North Africa on June 22 1943. They fought their way up through Italy and participated in the fighting during campaigns in Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, France, and Germany. The division captured Munich toward the end of the war in 1945, occupying the city until V-E Day and the surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945. Throughout the month of May and into June, the men of the 45th Division occupied Munich and set up collection points and camps for the overwhelming numbers of surrendering German soldiers. It was common practice for American soldiers to participate in looting and souvenir hunting during the war. Judging by the plethora of war trophies shown in the video, Mr. Mahan was a very skilled souvenir hunter. CONDITION: Excellent. JLD/DW

Item Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 2"

Name

Value

Paperwork

VHS Tape and Flashdrive with Interview