Hitler's Copy of 'Mein Kampf' Goes to Auction

CHESAPEAKE CITY, MD – Adolf Hitler's personal copy of Mein Kampf will be auctioned off this month in Cecil County.

Alexander Historical Auctions in Chesapeake City is selling the rare book, signed by 11 soldiers who discovered it when raiding the dictator's Munich apartment on May 2, 1945. The work was kept by a soldier's daughter until August 2015, according to the auctioneer.

Hitler died April 30, 1945. He wrote Mein Kampf, which translates "My Struggle," while in prison in 1925, dictating his plans to create one race of people to his deputy.

The book up for auction has a red leather cover and is described as a "rare edition of the work, not available to the general public, and was likely kept by Hitler for his own use or as a potential gift for an admirer."

Its estimated value is $12,000 to $15,000. See the listing for Mein Kampf on the auctioneer's website.

Some of Hitler's other belongings will be auctioned off too, such as photographs he signed, books from his library, etched drinking glasses and engraved silver.

This is not the first time the Cecil County auction house has presented high-profile historic items. It handled the sale of a watch that President John F. Kennedy gave to Marilyn Monroe, the top hat that President Franklin D. Roosevelt wore at his inauguration and the pistol belonging to Al Capone, according to a statement from the auction house.

This historical military auction including Mein Kampf will be March 17 and 18 at Alexander Historical Auctions, 98 Bohemia Avenue, Suite 2, Chesapeake City.

Photo Credit: Alexander Historical Auctions.