November 18, 2020 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

The Hitler Forgery Industry

to Hitler Forgery Industry main page - to Droog Magazine

1935 | Trade | Certificates of Authenticity

The strange business of selling fakes, forgeries and other concoctions attributed to Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) and other Nazi criminals.

Introduction

In the 1930's the Hitler forgery industry was in full swing. In 1933 Reinhold Hanisch was arrested in Vienna for the first time, on suspicion of forging Hitler watercolors. The case was dismissed, because of lack of evidence.  In 1936 followed his second arrest - he died, probably of natural causes, whilst in detention.

Meanwhile, in Nazi publications reproductions of alleged Hitler watercolors were published, which were very likely nor made by Hitler, but by ghost art painters. At the same time 'normal' forgers were active.

Content

Hitler's watercolors (Munich, June 1935)

Exchange rates/value of money 1935

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Hitler the watercolor painter,

Newspapers from France and the Netherlands report that  pharmacist in Munich exhibits five watercolors signed A. Hitler in his 'salon'. La Liberté: "They date from 1912 and represent views of Munich. The pharmacist had met the future Führer when Hitler, then aged 23, was trying to make a living. He ordered a watercolor of Saint John's Church from him and was so satisfied that he had others made. The total of the Chancellor's pictorial work would amount to 70 or 80 watercolors, some of which are in private collections. The Munich pharmacist has so far refused all the offers made to him. None of the watercolors have yet appeared in a public sale."

The Arnhemsche Courant: "Some works are held by the Braunes Haus (Brown House, NSDAP HQ) in Munic. According to the Berlin magazines, these works are exceptionally well and painstakingly painted and show a great talent and Hitler's special interest in architecture.”

Hitler aquarelliste Un pharmacien de Munich possède dans son salon cinq aquarelles signées A. Hitler. Elles datent de 1912 et représentent des vues de Munich. Le pharmacien avait rencontré le futur Führer alors que, âgé de 23 ans, il cherchait à gagner sa vie. Il lui commanda une aquarelle de l'église Saint-Jean et fut si satisfait qu'il en fit faire d'autres. Le total de l'oeuvre picturale du chancelier s'élèverait à 70 ou 80 aquarelles dont quelques-unes sont dans des collections particulières. Le pharmacien municois a refusé jusqu'ici toutes les offres qui lui ont été faites. Aucune des aquarelles n'a encore figuré dans une vente publique. La Liberté, 18-06-1935

Hitler als kunstschilder. Een groot talent. Arnhemsche Courant, Arnhem (NL), 14-06-1935.
https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMKB08:000109443:mpeg21:a0014

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Exchange rates / value of money 01-01-1935

 1 UK pound = 4,91 US dollar.
1 US dollar = 0,20 UK pound (in decimals) 
1 UK pound = 74,90 French francs
1 French franc = 0,013 French francs
1 UK pound = 20,91 Belgian francs
1 Belgian franc = 0,047 UK pound
1 UK pound = 57,18 Italian lire
1 Italian lire = 0,017 UK pound
1 UK pound = 7,22 NL guilder
1 NL guilder = 0,14 UK pound
1 UK pound = 12,16 Reichsmark
1 Reichsmark = 0,08 UK pound
1 UK pound = 26,50 Austrian schilling
1 Austrian schilling =  0,037 UK pound
1 UK pound =  22,40 Danish krone
1 Danish kron = 0,04 UK pound
1 UK pound = 19,90 Norwegian krone
1 Norwegian kron =0,05 UK pound
1 UK pound = 19,39 Swedish krone
1 Swedish kron = 0,05 UK pound
1 UK pound = 15,07 Swiss francs
1 Swiss franc =0,066 UK pound
1 UK pound = 35,78 Spanish pesetas
1 Sp. peseta = 0,028 UK pound


(RBD) Wisselkoersen. Het Vaderland, 's-Gravenhage, 04-01-1935.
https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010015750:mpeg21:a0262

CPI Inflation Calculator – for US dollars.This inflation calculator uses official records published by the U.S. Department of Labor.
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/

Convertisseur franc-euro. Pouvoir d'achat de l'euro et du franc. Le convertisseur franc-euro mesure l'érosion monétaire due à l'inflation.
https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2417794

Value of the Guilder/Euro. International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam.
http://www.iisg.nl/hpw/calculate.php

© Compilation Bart FM Droog, 2020.

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