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Lot 725: ALBERT SPEER

Est: $1,000 USD - $1,500 USDSold:
Alexander Historical Auctions LLCStamford, CT, USOctober 10, 2010

Item Overview

Description

ALBERT SPEER
(1905-1981) Nazi German architect and Minister of Armaments and War Production, convicted of war crimes at Nuremburg. Outstanding A.Ms.S. 4pp. legal folio, [n.p.], Oct. 17, 1945, an autobiography in pencil prepared for Major Kelley, with very fine personal content. In very small part: "...Most of my ancestors from my father's side hail from Westphalia...they were architects...My father had to start afresh without any financial means...His buildings can still today pass the test of artistic value...I grew up in comfortable circumstances...I was rather weak and susceptible to illnesses (dizziness, to fainting spells, to weakness of the vascular nerves). All this was cured by a lot of sports...I was not an outstanding scholar while in primary and secondary school; only mathematics was a subject that I really liked...but my father decided that I should follow the family tradition and become an architect...In the Fall of 1931, I heard for the first time Hitler speak. Soon afterwards I joined the NSDAP (National Socialist German's Workman's Party). This gave me the chance of carrying out a rebuilding commission for the NSDAP - the district of Berlin in1932. Since it was my first building it became rather expensive, which caused some financial difficulties for the NSDAP of Berlin. There was no further chance of any activity in Berlin, and I returned therefore to Manheim...In 1933 I had the chance to carry but minor rebuilding projects in Berlin. Soon afterwards I began to decorate the big rallies of the Party, and this caused Hitler to notice me. I met him in 1934, and from then on a fast rise as an architect began. He gave us orders for numerous new buildings in Berlin and Nurnberg and eventually his biggest and most important building task, viz. the architectural and artistic reorganization and rebuilding of Berlin was entrusted to me...Hitler liked my designs and a lot and me too so that I belonged to his more intimate private circle. With the beginning of the war this cooperation fell apart, the building was discontinued and the builders...were diverted to the building of factories for the rearmament of the Airforce...The 8th of February 1942 was my day of fate. Dr. [Fritz] Todt crashed with an airplane, and some hours later I was his successor for all his numerous positions of which I did not know anything in the beginning. I was thus responsible for the armament industry, for the building, and for the supply of energy...through these successes I was entrusted in turn (1943) the armament supply for the Navy, the civil production and finally in August 1944, also the armament of the airforce...1944 was the year by far of the highest production and July 1944 was an absolute record...but finally, in Spring 1945, the attacks led to a complete collapse of armament...III. Family and private life. My wife and I shared the financially difficult times until 1934. These years were however in retrospect the most beautiful years of my life...All that ended with the new and big architectural tasks. These required imaginative gifts and again and again new ideas. My wife had to stand back and had to reconcile herself to the fact that great accomplishments...do not mean an improvement of one's own life...The strain of the work from 1937-1941 led to nervous circulatory disorders with stomach and intestinal areas, unstable blood pressure and cramps. I had no chance to recuperate before the war ceased...From 1942-1943 the service load was so hurt, i.e. the fight against the air attacks...Short intervals of 2-3 days did not give much to my wife and children...". Signed "Speer" on first page. With full translation, fine condition.

Artist or Maker

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

Auction Details

Fall Historical Auction Part II

by
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
October 10, 2010, 11:00 AM EST

860 Canal St. 2nd Floor, Stamford, CT, 06902, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

22.5%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$99$10
$100$499$20
$500$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000+$1,000

Terms and Conditions

This auction is conducted under the laws of the State of Connecticut.

There is an 22.5% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price of each lot (includes Live Bidding Fee).

The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid for any reason.

The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot for any reason.

In the event of duplicate high bids, the earliest bid received will be the winner. (Please note absentee bids left with artfact.com do not reach the auctioneer until the lot opens during the live sale).

Some lots may carry a reserve beneath which the item will not be sold. Any reserve will always be at or below the low estimate.

Detailed descriptions of lots and photocopies are available upon request. Bidders are advised that we warrant ONLY printed descriptions and additional information set for in addenda and from the auction block.
Illustrations of lots in this catalog and our website may have had size and/or contrast modifications for display purposes.

Estimated selling prices are for your guidance only. Actual selling prices may be higher or lower than the estimate indicated, although our estimates tend to be generally accurate.

The placing of a bid legally binds the bidder to purchase the lot at or below the bid placed, plus buyer's premium (see item 3). Bids may not be retracted without our approval: those doing so will be banned from future participation and will be reported to the trade. Please think before you bid! You are legally bound once you do so.

Absentee Bidding. All bidding is undertaken in a competitive manner. The winning bid will always be one bidding increment over the second highest bid. The minimum acceptable bid for any lot is one-half of the low estimate given in the item description. Bidders may call us at 203-276-1570 during office hours to check the status of their bids, or they may check bids anytime on our website. Absentee bids are accepted up to one hour before the start of the auction. Live bidding: Bids entered during the course of the sale by bidders on the floor, on the phone, or live on the internet will be taken at the amount bid.

Payment is expected immediately upon, (but not before) receipt of invoice. Payments may be made via mail, phone, fax, in person. We also accept PayPal payments, payable to sales@alexautographs.com. All accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filled with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee.
Shipment is made via United Parcel Service unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.

All autograph material in this sale is guaranteed genuine for the life of the original purchaser (unless otherwise stated or if contrary to other provisions of these terms). Any autograph item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price (only). Non-autograph items are guaranteed genuine for a period of twenty-one (21) days of receipt if determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale.

Items may also be returned if the catalog description differs significantly from the item's actual state; such returns must be made within three (3) days of purchaser's receipt of the lot(s) with prior approval. All returned lots must be in the same condition as shipped. All items are in very good condition unless stated otherwise.

Any lot containing five or more items is not subject to return for any reason.

We do not examine the condition of items contained within frames beyond what is readily visible. Such defects may include, but may not be limited to: mounting, silking, marginal damage, closed tears, "mat burn", etc. That being the case, we are not responsible for such hidden damage. Bidders are further advised that we are selling the autograph, not the frame, and therefore the condition of the frame shall not be considered reason for return. Shipping costs for framed items may vary greatly depending on the size and/or weight of the frame, and at times these charges may be quite substantial. Customers may request us to remove an autograph from its frame to reduce shipping charges. We will accommodate customers in that respect for an additional charge of $10.00 per framed item, but such service will be undertaken at our sole discretion. Alexander Autographs will be responsible for any damage caused to the VISIBLE area of the item as it appears in the frame. We will in no way be responsible for any pre-existing hidden damage or defect, nor will we be responsible for any damage caused by us to any previously hidden portion of the autograph, its mount, or any material matted with the autograph during removal from the frame.

The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the preceding terms and conditions of sale as well as the Bidding Procedure guidelines posted in this catalog.

Taxes

Sales tax will be charged for CT residents.

Contract Information

The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the preceding terms and conditions of sale as well as the Bidding Procedure guidelines posted in this catalog.

Payment Information

Payment is expected immediately upon, (but not before) receipt of invoice. Payments may be made via mail, phone, fax, in person. All accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filled with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee. We accept all major credit cards, money orders, personal checks, bank wires, and PayPal (sales@alexautographs.com).

Shipping Information

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

Buyer's Premium

There is an 22.5% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price of each lot (includes Live Bidding Fee).

Condition Statement

All autograph material in this sale is guaranteed genuine for the life of the original purchaser (unless otherwise stated or if contrary to other provisions of these terms). Any autograph item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price (only). Non-autograph items are guaranteed genuine for a period of twenty-one (21) days of receipt if determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale. The condition of autograph material is generally described per standards suggested by the Manuscript Society.