Nazi memorabilia auction criticised by Jewish leader

A hat which belonged to Adolf Hitler sold for €50,000 (£42,847)

A German auction of items such as Adolf Hitler's hat and partner Eva Braun's dresses has been sharply criticised by the European Jewish Association (EJA).

The EJA argued the items have little historical value, and would be bought by individuals who glorify Nazism.

The organisation asked Munich-based Hermann Historica to stop the auction, but it went ahead.

A silver-covered edition of Hitler's autobiographical "Mein Kampf" was also among the items for sale.

The silver-covered edition of Mein Kampf sold for €130,000 (£111,429)

A silver letter seal belonging to Eva Braun has sold for €10,500 (£9,003), while a silver-framed and signed photograph of Hitler sold for $46,000 (£39,442).

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The chairman of the EGA, Rabbi Menachem Margolin wrote an open letter to German political leaders expressing his concerns.

Mr Margolin argued the auction is an "opportunity for people to glorify, show adulation and sentimentality for the Nazis".

He added: "I understand that it is not illegal to buy and sell Nazi memorabilia... this is not a legal request but a moral one. It is wrong".

The director of the auction house, Bernhard Pacher, told DPA news agency: "The largest part of the customers who shop with us are museums, state collections and private collectors who really meticulously deal with the subject".

Eva Braun was a long-time companion of Adolf Hitler, and briefly his wife

He added there would be strict controls on the auction, to "prevent the wrong people from getting it".

Other auction items which belonged to Adolf Hitler include a hand-written letter, a silver cigar box from his personal collection and a rental agreement for an apartment in Munich.

The 147 items specifically related to the Third Reich are part of a larger auction of over 800 German historical collectibles from 1919 onwards.