Swig Heil! Hitler's drinking glasses set to fetch up to £8,000 at auction

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 1:12 AM on 21st June 2011

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They are emblazoned with swastikas and etched with Hitler's initials, so it's hard to imagine these glasses being used at any dinner party you would want to attend.

But for collectors of Nazi memorabilia, taste is rarely an issue - and the set of four wine goblets believed to have belonged to the Nazi leader are expected to fetch up to £8,000 at auction today.

The glasses, below, also feature the eagle symbol of the regime.

Rare: The glasses - complete with swastika and the initials A H - are expected to fetch up to £8,000 at auction tomorrow

Jonathan Humbert, of J P  Humbert auctioneers in Towcester, Northamptonshire, said: 'There is every chance that Adolf Hitler himself sipped from these glasses. 

'The late owner's son told me his father only dealt in the finest military collectables and it was his understanding that this glassware came from Hitler's Berlin bunker.

'It was well known that Hitler had a valet in his bunker, and he dined alone most evenings, using the finest silver and glassware.'

The same collector owned one of Hitler's swords, he said. 

 

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As with all Nazi memorabilia, Mr Humbert added, the auction house was mindful of people's feelings. 

'We have to be tasteful in all we do and would not wish to upset anyone with the item,' he said. 

The bunker was destroyed by Russian forces in December 1945 but it is believed that valuable possessions were salvaged first.

Dictator: Hitler is known to have used only the finest glass and silverware

Mr Humbert added: 'It was well known that Hitler had a personal valet in his bunker, and that he dined alone most evenings, using only the finest silver and glassware.

'Certainly the quality is there - the etching is superlative and the mouth and foot of each glass is superbly gilded.

'Whilst there is no written provenance, the fact that the same vendor owned Hitler's sword means that there is every chance that Adolf Hitler himself sipped from these very vessels.

Historic: The glasses are believed to have been salvaged from Hitler's bunker in Berlin, which was destroyed after the war by the Russians

'Certainly Hitler was egocentric enough to surround himself with monogrammed articles.

'This really could be a little piece of history in our sale rooms. The glassware is estimated at £5000 - £8000 but prospective buyers will have to make of it what they will.'

The glasses will be auctioned at The Northamptonshire Auction Centre at 6pm today.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2005765/Hitlers-drinking-glasses-set-fetch-8-000-auction.html#ixzz1Psxoa74y