U.S. Bidder Pays $20,000 for Hitler’s Personal Copy of Mein Kampf

mein kampf – hitler’s copy Image by Getty

By JTA March 21, 2016

Adolf Hitler’s personal copy of his autobiography “Mein Kampf” sold at auction for more than $20,000.

An American was the top bidder for the red leather-bound book, which went on the block Friday at Alexander Historical Auctions at the Maryland Auction House in Chesapeake City, the French news agency AFP reported.

The book sold for $20,655; it was expected to fetch more than its estimated value of $12,000 to $15,000.

There were more than 10 active bidders on the phone and online, according to the ABC affiliate WMAR.

The copy of “Mein Kampf” was found in Hitler’s apartment and bears the signatures of the 11 American soldiers who found it, auctioneer Bill Panagopulos told the local CBS affiliate WJZ. It had been kept by one of the soldiers’ daughters until recently.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO