Signed in Hitler's Berlin bunker, Mein Kampf for sale in Shropshire
An extremely rare copy of Mein Kampf signed by Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker just weeks before his death is to go under the hammer in Shropshire.
Auctioneers at Mullock's in Ludlow have slapped a guide price of between £3,000 and £5,000 on the book which will be auctioned next week.
The book – part autobiography, part political ideology – was dictated by the Nazi leader while in prison for 'political crimes' in the early 1920s.
Mullock's historical documents expert Richard Westwood-Brookes said the leather-bound copy was one of just 1,000 special editions produced to mark the dictator's 50th birthday in 1939.
The inside cover is signed by Hitler and dated March 5, 1945. Hitler committed suicide, along with his wife Eva Braun, by shooting himself on April 30, 1945.
Mr Westwood-Brookes said: "This lot is of the greatest rarity.
"There are millions of copies of Mein Kampf out there but this happens to be a rare edition.
"It was leather bound with gold lettering, and at the time it would have been very expensive to buy.
"So it is rare anyway, and in an unsigned state you would still be looking at getting between £400 and £500 for it.
"But this one bears the signature of Hitler and it carries the very important date of March 5, 1945.
"This one would have been signed by Hitler in his bunker in Berlin, where we know he would have been since January of that year after disappearing from public view and going into hiding.
"It is only speculation, but it is likely it was originally given as a gift to someone close to him as a thank you."
Mr Westwood-Brookes said the book was being put up for auction by an anonymous collector.
The book is lot number 226 in an auction of historical documents taking place at Mullock's on February 14.
For further information log onto www.mullocksauctions.co.uk or call (01694) 771771.
