Report on Alleged Hitler Paintings and Drawings Auction by Auktionhaus Weidler, Nuremberg, Saturday February 9, 2019

Report on alleged Hitler paintings and drawings auction by Auktionhaus Weidler, Nuremberg, Saturday February 9, 2019

Report based on the contents of the Catalog Auction 2210, pages 43-47 https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/de/kataloge/2019/2210/A2210-Foto_WEB_3neu-compressed.pdf

By Jaap van den Born & Bart FM Droog Nijmegen / Eenrum, originally published 06-02-2019 this version 28-02-2018

Auktionhaus Weidler Introduction Werkkatalog Weidler's press release, 29-01-2018 First analysis The Gutachten issuers Hans O.A. Horváth (Austria, alive?) August Priesack (Germany, deceased) Frank P. Garo (USA, alive) Research by Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Preliminary findings

Bureau Droog - Oosterstraat 29 - 9967 RV Eenrum (NL) KvK-nummer 54.51.28.91

1 Auktionhaus Weidler Albrecht-Dürer-Platz 8, 90403 Nürnberg (Nuremberg) Tel: 0911-222525 / 0911-8102250

This auctionhouse sells since 20041 repeatedly alleged Hitler paintings and drawings. Many times these works were accompanied by Gutachten / Certificates of Authenticity with a highly dubious background.

The more so, as is established that almost all Hitlers watercolors originate from 1910-1914 - except one from 1907 and one from 1915.

In Vienna (1910-1913) Hitler made only watercolors, on which only Viennese city sight were depicted.2 From his Munich period (1913-1914) only watercolors on which only Munich city sights are depicted, are known to be possibly authentic. This means incriminating evidence on these previous Weidler Hitler auctions can be presented:

November 20-22, 2014: at least 1 alleged Hitler https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2014 https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/dl/Auktion1870_Web.pdf - page 2. June 18-20, 2015: at least 14 alleged Hitlers (with Gutachten from Frank P. Garo and Hans O.A. Horváth) https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2015nb https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/dl/A1920-Foto_WEB.pdf - page 41-43 February 6, 2016: 31 alleged Hitlers (with Gutachten from August Priesack, Peter Jahn, Frank P. Garo and Hans O.A. Horváth) https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2016vwn https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/dl/A1970-Foto-WEB.pdf - pages 39-40, 44-47 June 17, 2016: 21 alleged Hitlers (with Gutachten from August Priesack, Frank P. Garo and Hans O.A. Horváth) https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2016vwnbjuni https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/dl/A2090.pdf pages 37-39. November 19, 2016: 27 alleged Hitlers (with Gutachten from August Priesack, Frank P. Garo and Hans O.A. Horváth) https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2016vwnnov https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/dl/A2040.pdf - pages 47-49 April 14, 2018: 17 alleged Hitlers (with Gutachten from Peter Jahn, August Priesack, Frank P. Garo and Hans O.A. Horváth ) https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/de/kataloge/2018/2150/compressed-A2150-Foto_WEB.pdf p. 40-43 https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/de/kataloge/2018/2150/A2150-PK_WEB.pdf https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html#2018april

1 According to Kerstin Weidler, in 'Panzer, Pferde, Patrioten. Der unheimliche Reiz von Nazi-Kitsch und -Kriegsgerät. Regie Mathias Kapohl. DLF 2016, Deutschlandfunk, 20-05-2016. 2 Established by Dr. Springer, Sichterheitsbüro Bundes-Polizeidirektion Wien, S.B. 17105/36, 29-11-1936, page 7. NS 26/2599, Bundesarchiv, Berlin. Enquiry into Hitler forgeries. Confirmed by investigation of NSDAP Hauptarchiv. See: NSDAPHauptarchiv NS 26/34-43/31 - Aquarelle des Führers. [1939]. Bundesarchiv, Berlin.

2 Introduction

The catalog of of Auktionhaus Weidler the Hitlers auction on February 9, 2019, page 43:

Einleitung Preface

Versteigerung von Bildern monogr. Auction of pictures signed or A.H. / sign. A. Hitler (wohl Adolf monogrammed by A. Hitler (prob. Hitler 1889-1945) Maler und Soldat: Adolf Hitler 1889-1945) Painter and Werke von 1907 bis 1936 zumeist soldier: works from about 1907 to mit Expertisen (z.T. vom 1936 mostly with expertises (some Mitredakteur des Werkkatalogs). of them issued by the coeditor of the Darunter seltene Bilder und catalogue of works). Including rare Einrichtungsgegenstände z.T. im pictures and furnishings partly Werkkatalog abgebildet. Die Objekte illustrated in the catalogue of works. stammen teilweise aus öster- The items come from Austrian or reichischem bzw. europäischem rather European private ownership, Privatbesitz, ursprünglich von originally from famous artists of the prominenten Künstlern des 3. 3rd Reich, from heirs or from the Reichs, von Erben und aus Nach- estates of collectors." lässen von Sammlern.

One sees here that Weidler only suggests these works are authentic.

The works are indeed signed 'A.H.' or 'A. Hitler', but the probability (prob./wohl) that these signatures were painted/drawn by Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) is as good as nil.

The Werkkatalog / Catalogue of works stands for Adolf Hitler als Maler und Zeichner. Ein Werkkatalog der Ölgemälde, Aquarelle, Zeichnungen und Architekturskizzen (Gallant Verlag, Zug, 1983), compiled by 'Prof.' Dr. Augustus Priesack and Peter Jahn. It is also known as Price - referring to the financer of this work, the American Billy F. Price.

3 Werkkatalog

This work has been debunked repeatedly as mainly a work of forgeries - many of them made by Konrad Kujau, famous from the Hitler diaries scandal.

The first ones to fully expose the 'Werkkatalog' as such were the German historian Hermann Weiss of the Institut für Zeitgeschichte in 19843, the English journalist Robert Harris in his bestselling book Selling Hitler (about the Hitler diaries scandal, 1986) and the very thorough historian and Hitler-expert Anton Joachimsthaler, in Korrektur einer Biographie (1989), pages 62-65.4

Every expert on paintings and drawings made by Hitler must know the true nature of the Werkkatalog / Price. Every auctioneer selling 'Hitlers' should and could be aware of this too.

3 Hermann Weiss. Neue Erkentnisse zür Fälschung von Hitler Dokumenten. II. Viertelsjahrhefte für Zeitgeschichte. München. Jahrgang 32 (1984). Heft 1. Pages 164-169. https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/heftarchiv/1984_1.pdf 4 See the relevant pages in Korrektur on: http://www.droog-mag.nl/hitler/joachimsthaler-korrektur-62-65-priesack-werkkatolog.pdf and https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/price.html

4 Knowing this, the following passage from a recent Berliner Kurier interview with Kerstin Weidler, co-owner of Auktionshaus Weidler, causes us to raise our eyebrows. Its sheer surrealism:

“Doch wie erkennen die Experten einen echten Hitler? Auch im Nürnberger Auktionshaus Weidler stehen bald wieder Hitler- Aquarelle zum Verkauf. Zur Einschätzung der Echtheit bezieht sich Chefin Kerstin Weidler immer auf den Werkkatalog zu Hitlers Malerei, den der Sammler Billy F. Price 1983 veröffentlichte. Darin sind 800 Bilder und Signaturen Hitlers beschrieben, die als authentisch gelten.

Bei einem Vergleich mit den in Pankow beschlagnahmten Bildern kommen der Kunsthändlerin Zweifel. „Bei den Unterschriften im Werkkatalog sind die „A“ in der Signatur straff nach links außen ausgeführt“, erklärt Weidler. „Der Schnörkel nach innen ist untypisch“. Es sei schwierig, fachgerechte Gutachten zu bekommen, Experten, die in den 80er und 90er Jahren auf Hitler spezialisiert waren, seien verstorben, so Kerstin Weidler."

Stefanie Hildebrandt. Expertenstreit . Woran erkennt man einen echten Hitler? Berliner Kurier, Berlin, 26.01.2019 https://www.berliner-kurier.de/berlin/polizei-und-justiz/expertenstreit-woran-erkennt- man-einen-echten-hitler--31937356

It is not only surreal because of the praising of the Werkkatalog and the statement about the untypical 'Schnörkel' (all signatures in that book are untypical and different), but also by the praising of the experts from the 1980's and 1990's. As these can be no other than ... August Priesack (1908-ca. 1992) and Peter Jahn (a.k.a. Franz Peter Jahn, 1904-1990), the compilers of the Werkkatalog.

Both issued - after payment - numerous 'Gutachten' / Certificates of Authenticity to clearly falsified Hitler paintings.

As far as we know Priesack had no criminal record - but was in the 1970's watched by the Munich police for his Nazi propaganda activities5. Jahn however is a different story:

"Franz Peter Jahn (...) geniesst den denkbar schlechtesten Leumund und ist der Kriminalpolizeistelle Wien schon seit langem als unverbesserlicher Bertrüger

5 According to Robert Harris in Selling Hitler, Faber & Faber, London, 1986.Chapter 10.

5 bekannt. Jahn wurde auf Grund einer Anzeige wegen Verdachts der Anmassung einer Parteifunktion, Erpressung und Betrugs im Juli 1938 von der Kriminalpolizei in Schutzhaft genommen. (...) Jahn ist seit dem Jahre 1933 Mitglied der NSDAP. Er wurde in den Jahren 1921 bis 1937 siebenmal von österr. Gerichten wegen Diebstahls, Veruntreuung und Betrugs darunter zweimal bis zu 18 Monaten und einmal zu 6 Monaten schweren Kerkers bestraft."(...)6

In the Bundesarchiv Berlin we found Jahn's criminal record, in the remaining files of the NSDAP Hauptarchiv. This confirms the above.7

Jahn continued with his dubious actions until at least 1951, when the Vienna police remarked on him: " J. wurde am 20.8.46 wegen Schleichhandel und Betrug erkennungsdienstlich behandelt. Wegen seiner Teilnahme an unerlaubten Devisentransaktionen hat sich die Pol.Dion Wien 1951 wiederholt mit ihm befasst. J. kann in keiner Weise als vertrauenswürdig bezeichnet werden."8

Even after their deaths, in the early 1990's, 'Gutachten' from Jahn and Priesack are being presented at auctions of alleged Hitler paintings.

The mere presence of these Gutachten acts as an alarm bell, as was already pointed out by art historian Jonathan Jones in the Guardian, 2006, when an alleged Hitlers auction was held in Cornwall9.

More on Priesack and Jahn: https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/priesack.html#english https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/jahn.html#english

6 According to a letter to Gauinspektor Rothe, NSDAP Gauleitung Wien, wriiten by Dr. Kunz, Gestopa Wien, [1940]. Courtesy MMag. Gregor Derntl, Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum Linz / Kommission für Provenienzforschung. Budeskanzleramt, Wien. 7 Prioren betreffend Jahn Franz Peter, 28. III. 1904, Wien. Bundes-Polizeidirektion in Wien. [19.03.1938]. NSDAP Hauptarchiv NS 26/2599/57, Bundesarchiv Berlin. 8 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, AdR, Zest-Karteikarte (Zentrale Evidenzstelle) der Staatspolizei (Polizeidirektion Wien) zu Franz Peter Jahn. Courtesy MMag. Gregor Derntl, Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum Linz / Kommission für Provenienzforschung. Budeskanzleramt, Wien. 9 Jonathan Jones. Fascist or forgery. The Guardian, London, 25-09-2006. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/25/secondworldwar

6 Weidler's press release, 29-01-2018

Interesting is the 'Pressemitteilung'10, issued by Auktionhaus Weidler on January 29, 2018:

Auktionshaus Weidler versteigert Auctionhouse Weidler auctions Aquarelle, Gemälde und watercolors, paintings and drawings Zeichnungen signiert A. Hitler sowie signed A. Hitler, as well as antiques Antiquitäten aus dem Besitz von Adolf once owned by Adolf Hitler Hitler

Am Samstag, 9. Februar 2019, versteigert On Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2019, das Auktionshaus Weidler nachmittags the auction house Weidler auctions Aquarelle, Zeichnungen und Gemälde watercolors, drawings and paintings signiert A. Hitler bzw. monogrammiert signed A. Hitler or monogrammed A.H., A.H., die zwischen 1907 und 1936 datiert which are dated between 1907 and 1936. sind. Es handelt sich um Wiener und These are Viennese and Nuremberg motifs, Nürnberger Motive, Damenportraits, portraits of women, still lifes and Austrian Stillleben und österreichische Ansichten, landscapes, including postcard paintings darunter sowohl Postkartenmalerei als as well as a rare work with Hitler's original auch eine seltene Arbeit mit dem view of 'Bergaden hoher Göll'. Three of the Originalblick Hitlers auf Bergaden hoher works are shown in the Workcatalog. Most Göll. Drei der Bilder sind im Werkkatalog of them are accompanied by certificates of abgebildet. Zu den meisten existieren authenticity , partly issued by Prof. Dr. Expertisen, die zum Teil von Herrn Prof. Dr. August Priesack, co-editor of in 1983 August Priesack, Mitredakteur des 1983 im published Work catalog of Billy F. Price Amber Verlag erschienen Werkkatalogs (Amber publishing compant). The works von Billy F. Price, angefertigt wurden. Die originate partly from Austrian or European Bilder selbst stammen teilweise aus private owners, originally from prominent österreichischem bzw. europäischem artists of the 1930s, from heirs and from Privatbesitz, ursprünglich von collectors' legacies. prominenten Künstlern der 30er Jahre, von Erben und aus Nachlässen von Sammlern.

This is a mixture of suggestive remarks, in which carefully is avoided to ascribe the works directly to Hitler.

But, as happened in the past, the majority of the press agencies who distributes this press release over the globe, will simply state that the Hitlers on the Weidler auction are authentic.

10 Frau Weidler. Pressemitteilung. Auktionshaus Weidler, Nürnberg, 29-01-2019

7 Spokespersons of the Weidler company have in the past never corrected the misleading information about the authenticity reported by the press. Au contraire:

2009: "One of the paintings, "White church in the Wachau", was authenticated in 1963 by the late Peter Jahn, a renowned expert on Hitler's early pieces. "He ranked it as among Hitler's chief works," Ms Weidler said."11

2016: "Hitler paintings are going under the hammer on November 19. The auctioneer Kerstin Weidler told DW why the people wanting to buy them are not all Nazis." (...) "We have a few pictures that were authenticated, partly by August Priesack, the editor of Hitler's catalog of works." (...) "We did lighting tests and we selected them because we believe they are by Hitler."12

2018: "Laut Weidler kommen die Bilder aus Privatbesitz und Nachlässen aus aller Herren Länder und wandern dann gegen gutes Geld nach Brasilien, Frankreich, Großbritannien, in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate, nach Russland oder China ab. Es seien "Käufer, die ein Stück Weltgeschichte im Safe haben möchten", erklärt Kerstin Weidler."13

11 Adolf Hitler paintings to go under the hammer in Germany. The Telegraph, 21-08-2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/6063757/Adolf-Hitler-paintings-to-go-under-the- hammer-in-Germany.html 12 Stefan Dege. Hitler paintings on auction - who buys them? [Interview with Kerstin Weidler]. Deutsche Welle, Bonn/Berlin, 18-11-2016. https://www.dw.com/en/hitler-paintings-on-auction-who-buys-them/a-36441696 13 Olga Kronsteiner. Handel mit Bildern aus Hitlers Hand floriert. Der Standard, München, 16-04-2018. https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000077874832/handel-mit-bildern-aus-hitlers-hand-floriert

8 First analysis of the works and items attributed to Hitler, on the auction of February 9, 2019

A few things are known about Hitler-the-painter. When he worked as such (1910-1915); what kind of paintings he made (watercolors, only city sights of Vienna and Munich (except one watercolor portrait of an army buddy, in 1915); his techniques. We also know that Hitler had no talent at all - he was a mere copyist and a very lousy drawer.

That he had any talent is fiction, launched by Hitler in Mein Kampf, and repeated by Nazi propaganda. We're not the first to conclude this - it was already noted down in 1956, by the Austrian Hitler biographer Dr. Franz Jetzinger, in his work Hitlers Jugend. Phantasien, Lügen - und die Wahrheit. Mit 20 Tafeln. Europa-Verlag, Wien, [1956]. 308p (In English; Hitler's Youth. Translated from the German by Lawrence Wilson; foreword by Alan Bullock. Hutchinson, London, 1958. 2nd edition at Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn, 1976.

Jetzinger researched Hitler's school rapports, and discovered that his marks for drawing were not very special. Hitler never followed special art classes, nor private lessons. It is not surprisingly that he failed the entry exams for Art School in Vienna, 1907.

We ourselves investigated what kind of works Hitler made, how many, how many were known in the 1930's, and also how many of these survived the war, and where they are now. Our research was conducted in the Bundesarchiv Berlin, May 2018, and with the help of two institutions which possess alleged Hitler paintings: the Bayerische Hauptstaatsarchiv (Munich, Germany) and the US Army Center for Military History (Fort Belvoir, Virginia, USA).

We also investigated the post WWII auctions, where alleged Hitlers items were offered. We also did intensive research into the activities of the pre war Hitler forgery industry.14

In doing so, we identified a number of Hitler 'experts' who issued 'Gutachten' to clearly false Hitler paintings.

14 See: Jaap van den Born and Bart FM Droog.De zwendel met 'Hitlers'. Drooog magazine, 2017-2018. https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/vervalsers.html This ireport is basically written in Dutch; we recommend Google Translate Dutch-English for people who don't understand Dutch.

9 The Gutachten issuers: Horvath, Priesack, Garo

The 'Gutachten' of these 'experts' may fool the buyers of the alleged Hitler paintings, but to bona fide experts they are a clear signal that something is wrong with the paintings to which they are issued - especially when the works are atypical of Hitler.

Of the 'Gutachten''issuers mentioned by Auktionhouse Weidler, we've 'met' three before:

Hans O.A. Horváth (Austria, active) August Priesack (Germany, deceased) Frank P. Garo (USA, active)

Hans O.A. Horváth

Gutachten / Certificates of authenticity issued by 'Hans A. Horváth' were used at Hitler auctions in the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria. If a man by this name really exists, or if this is a pseudonym is a yet unsolved question. The person behind the name might be traced via a headstone at the Zentralfriedhof Wien (Central Cemetery, Vienna), with the inscription:

"Hans O.A. Horváth / akad. Kunstmaler / 3.3.1950 - ___"

The cemetery administration must know who is the owner of this (empty?) grave and stone.

The picture to the left was made by Sebastian W. Bauer, from Wettingen Switzerland, in 2013.

A more recent photo was made in September 2017. So the chance is very high this grave still exists.

The Viennese auctionhouse Antiquitaeten Baranyi sold in 2016 a Hitlerwork with Gutachten from Horvath.

10 The American writer Peter Wyden wrote the following about Hans O.A. Horvath, whose name he encountered around 1995:

"At un unmarked grave site in the Central Cemetery of Vienna, a slightly built amateur historian, Hans O.A. Horvath, forty four, believed he had located a productive target. A furniture restorer by trade, Horváth had resourcefully mobilized medical jurists on behalf of restoring bigger game. Its name was Adolf Hitler.

Horváth, whose desk at home was surrounded by life-size replica's of figures from the Nazi era, decided in the late 1980's that Hitler's reputation deserved humanizing and that the Führer's niece and greatest love, Angela (Geli) Raubal, was the likeliest witness. Although Geli had killed herself by a pistol shot in 1931 while alone in the Munich apartment she shared with Hitler, experts had assured Horvath that an exhumation of het remains might well reveal something about het still unknown motives, possibly even a pregnancy.

It became a moot question, because Vienna city authorities, enjoying their tranquility, saw no reason to give permission to someone from outside the family of the deceased to, so to speak, dig op trouble."15

When one reads this, and knows that the bizarre forgery of Geli Raubal's nude portrait to be auctioned by Weidler (lot 6701), is accompanied by a 'Gutachten' issued by Horváth in 1987, one can only wonder why anybody gives any credit to his 'Gutachten'. 'Geli Raubal' - the left image is a Hitler forgery made by Konrad Kujau, depicted in the werkkatalog as # 589; the right image is lot # 6701 on the Weidler auction.

15 Peter Wyden. The Hitler Virus: The Insidious Legacy of Adolf Hiltler. Arcade publishing, New York, 2001. Pages 206-207.

11 August Priesack

Prof. Dr. August Priesack (1908-ca. 1992) issued a high number of 'Gutachten' to Hitler drawings, in the 1970's and 1980's. He also authenticated the Hitler diaries, which were in 1978-1983 forged by Kunrad Kujau.16

Priesack, who had in the 1930's worked at the NSDAP Hauptarchiv, and was in a minor role involved in the tracing and registering of Hitler's watercolors in 1938-1939, became after the war history teacher at a Bavarian gymnasium - and that's why he was allowed to use the titel 'professor' - an ancient German privilege for teachers at a gymnasium.

After his retirement, ca 1973, he became active as 'Hitler expert' for the Munich auction house Graf Klenau17 (in the 1980's renamed into Hermann Historica). As such, he started to issue bogus 'Gutachten'.

We suspect Priesack cooperated with Kujau, as early as 197418, when he sold Kujau forgeries to Prof. Eberhardt Jäckel.19 Priesack was never sued, however.

We believe this never happened, because Priesack was a very good actor who convinced everyone of his naivity. If our suspicions are justified will never be known, as both Priesack and Kujau have passed away and have never been questioned by the police about their possible cooperation.

Whatever was his exact role, every bona fide Hitler expert must know that Priesack's 'Gutachten' are highly suspect.20

16 See a.o.: Robert Harris. Selling Hitler. Faber & Faber, London, 1986. Charles Hamilton. The Hitler Diaries. Fakes that Fooled the World. The University Press of Kentucky, [Lexingon], [2009] [first edition 1991]. Kenneth W. Rendell. Forging History. The Detection of Fake Letters and Documents. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman/London, [1994]. Michael Seufert. Der Skandal un die Hitler-Tagebücher. Scherz Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, 2008. DPA/COR. So war das mit den Hitler-Tagebüchern. Welt, Berlin, 22-04-2018 https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article1926069/So-war-das-mit-den-Hitler-Tagebuechern.html KAE/DPA. 'Stern' zeigt gefälschte Hitler-Tagebücher. Der Spiegel, Hamburg, 14-09-2018. http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/hitler-tagebuecher-stern-zeigt-erstmals-oeffentlich-die-gefaelschten- tagebuecher-a-1228093.html 17 Michael Seufert. Der Skandal un die Hitler-Tagebücher. Chapter 16. 18 Robert Harris. Selling Hitler, chapter 10. 19 Eberhard Jäckel (1929-2017) was a German historian, who worked in the 1970's on Hitler. Sämtliche Aufzeichnungen 1905-1924. This book should contain all Hitler's writings from the mentioned period. As soon as it was published in 1980, other historians discovered that Jäckel had included many forged material, all of which was feeded to him by Priesack and originated from Kujau. 20 See also: Jaap van den Born and Bart FM Droog. Prof. Dr. August Priesack. Droog Magazine, July 6, 2018. https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/priesack.html#english

12 What makes it even more bizarre: there are forged authentications of Priesack's 'Gutachten' /CoA's in circulation - on two Hitler auctions in the United States, organized by Affiliated Auctions (Tallahassee, Fl.) in 2013 and Rock Island Auction Company (Rock Island IL.) in 2014, we spotted two such certificates.

Both were issued to - yet again - easily identified Hitler forgeries.

See: https://www.bartfmdroog.com/droog/niod/priesack.html#2013 (in Dutch)

13 Frank P. Garo

Certificates of authenticity ('coa', or 'Gutachten') to alleged Hitler paintings have emerged at recent 'Hitler' auctions in Germany and the United States. The common feature all the Hitlers with a Garo-coa have in common is that all are easily identified as forgeries.

Mr. Garo works in this way: he is sent a photo of an alleged Hitler painting. After he's paid 40 to 45 dollars, he issues a certificate. Garo has no skills whatsoever in judging the authenticity of signatures on paintings. He knows as good as nothing about what kind of works Hitler really made.

In an interview with the American newspaper Tallahassee Democrat, Garo declared: "He [Hitler] did a lot of still lifes, and he did some portraits," Garo said of the subjects shown in Hitler's art."A lot of pastel scenes, flowers, things like that. He also did a lot of country scenes, showing things like the woods, or a farmhouse in the background."

He too said that for about the last 25 years he has worked to verify artwork, much of which has historical significance and has analyzed in his estimation "about 700 Hitler drawings."21

'Hitler drawings', not alleged Hitler drawings - signifying he has issued certificates to all the drawings. Which is rather amazing - as even in the fraudulent Werkkatalog )Price's book) no more than some 300 alleged Hitler drawings are depicted.

Garo gave this interview in February 2018 after he was already exposed as a swindler.

In December 2017 we had tested him out. Jaap van den Born sent Garo a photo of an Hitler painting forged by Van den Borm himself. It was a very clumsy forgery, with a few hints that should have alerted any real expert on its dubious nature. Yet, after Garo was paid 40 US dollars, he issued a certificate of authenticity.

21 Ryan Dailey. Tallahassee auction will sell what could be some of Hitler's early sketches. Tallahassee Democrat, 09- 02-2018. http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/02/09/tallahassee-auction-sell-what-could-some-hitlers-early- sketches/308012002/

14 This is how Van den Born produced a fake Hitler that fooled Garo into issueing a certificate of authenticity.

He looked on the internet for an image of a poorly painted sight on Vienna, which might date from 1910, and was made in a style that is completely different from anything Hitler ever painted. He found the image presented here on the left.22 Then Van den Born printed it

On the print Van den Born wrote with a 21st century felt pen 'A. Hitler'. He didn't even try to make it look like an authentic Hitler signature. Any bona fide handwriting expert would have noticed it was written by a modern felt pen: the letters end in a straight edge, not growing smaller at the end as happens with a pencil, pen or pinsel. He placed the print in an authentic old frame and scanned it.

NB: the colors on the image left differ from the colors on the first image. These changes are caused by the printing and scanning processes.

On the back side Van den Born glued two pieces of paper, which hinted on the fake nature of this contraption: one with a badly forged stamp print with the letters 'HBH', and the other a 'Reklam mark'. These two papers would make any Hitler expert extremely suspicious, as they would lead to identified Hitler forgeries.

He scanned the back side too, and sent scans with a high resolution to Mr. Garo.

22 Source: https://www.ebay.at/itm/52044946-Wien-Favoriten-/372579575886?hash=item56bf79284e

15 And then Garo send this Certificate of Authenticity, belonging to a painting that didn't even exist (as Van den Born only made a print), and that he never physically examined. As a 'handwriting expert' he only gives a standard printed 'opinion' about the signature and says and knows nothing about the picture or its provenance and this makes (apart from the signature swindle), as any art expert and decent auctioneer knows, his CoA totally worthless: For if the provenance can't be traced, without time gaps, to Hitler himself, every alleged Hitler painting is by definition not to be considered as authentic.

Frank P. Garo can be located easily: http://www.fpgaro.com/ P.O. Box 4, Coopersburg, PA 18036 (USA) e-mail: [email protected] ; tel. (610)282-4269

16 Research by Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv

As far as is known only one scientific authenticity investigation of alleged Hitler paintings ever took place before 2019. That happened in Munich, autumn 2013. The Bayerisches Haupstaatsarchiv (BHSA, Bavarian Main State Archive) had received from a legacy six alleged Hitler paintings (three watercolors and three oil paintings). These were examined by art historians and forensic experts from the Bavarian state police. After a few weeks of thorough research, it was concluded that the authenticity could not be established. Nor could it be established that the works were forgeries.23

Recently, we received from the BHSA more information on these works.24 With the knowledge gathered in our investigations in 2017-2019, we can positively identify the three oil paintings as forgeries. Furthermore, by comparing the watercolors in the BSHA with the works traced by the NSDAP Hauptarchiv in 193925, we discovered that the provenance of two of the BSHA watercolors can't be traced further back than Peter Jahn, 1937. Which is, in itself, a strong indication of their doubtful nature.

23 Dr. Thomas Paringer. Archivdirektor Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv. Letter BayHStA-A V-5051.7-3009/1/2. E-mail to Bart FM Droog, 12-12-2017. 24 Dr. Johann Pörnbacher. Archivoberrat Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv. Letter BayHStA-A V-5051.9-184/1/2. E-mail to Bart FM Droog, 22-01-2019. 25 List 'Hitler-Aquarelle Dr. Alfred Detig, Wien III, Gerlgasse 1/18'. NSDAP Hauptarchiv [1939?]. NS 26/34-43. Bunderachiv, Berlin.

17 Preliminary findings

Taken everything in consideration, our analysis of the alleged Hitler paintings to be auctioned by Weidler, leads to the following preliminary findings.

Of course, provenance and forensic research might give 100% certainty about the true nature of these works. But if the forgers were clever enough to use the right pigments and original support material (i.e. pigments in use and material from before 1915), forensic research will yield no definite answers.

Only proper provenance research can give the final verdict. Alas Weidler gives almost no information on the provenance (which is strange in itself).

Pictures, description and names of Gutachten issuers from Weidler catalog. https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/de/kataloge/2019/2210/compressed-A2210-Foto_WEB.pdf The estimated prices and additional information are those given by the Weidler company in the price catalog. https://www.auktionshausweidler.de/de/kataloge/2019/2210/A2210-PK-compressed.pdf, pages 102-105.

Lot description by Weidler and Expertise / CoA Estimated Status comments by Van den Born & price Droog 'Junge Frau mit blauer Bluse', Eckehard Müller, € 10.000,- forgery portrait, pastell. 2014

Rahmung hinter Glas 1970er Jahre rücks. handschriftl. Bleistiftnotitz "Im Versteck lassen bis nach dem Krieg..." Ursprünglicher Vorbesitzer sehr konservativer Tiroler dann Verkauf 6700, p. 43 nach Deutschland Vgl. Werkkat. S. 223.

This work is a forgery, as Hitler painted only one portrait (portrait of Max Mund, 1915), which is painted in a very amateurish style. Hitler lacked the talent and skill to make a work like # 6700. As no information is given about the provenance - this work can certainly not be called 'authentic'.

18 'Akt, Geli Raubal', 1929, nude, Hans O.A. € 3.500,- forgery watercolor. Horváth, 1987

Ursprünglicher Besitzer Lenker Kempka von AH danach Verkauf Vgl. Werkkat. S. 222 / Nr. 589 m. Prüfstempel ca. 19x27cm RhG Asp.

6701, p. 43 This work is a bad forgery of a forgery, based on 'Hitler' # 589 in the Workkatalog - which is a 100% Kujau forgery.

'Bergaden hoher Göll', 1936, Hans O.A. € 4.500,- forgery village in mountains, watercolor. Horváth, 1992

Aus Nachlass einer Sekretärin v. 6702, p. 43 AH Vgl. Werkkat. S. 229 / 115ff dieses Bild war das Erste im Auktionshaus Weidler versteigerte AH-Bild im Jahr 2005 m. Zeitungsartikel damaliger Zuschlag 11.000 EUR; aus Nachlass des damaligen Käufers ca. 26,5x20,5cm RhG Asp.

A stupid forgery, as no authentic Hitler paintings from after 1915 are known. And Hitler didn't paint mountainscapes. 'Ortschaft an Vorgebirgssee', Graf Klenau / A. € 45.000,- forgery undated, village on lake in Priesack, 1981 mountains, watercolor. (Price 324) 6703, p. 43 Wohl im Salzkammergut (wegen Dampfer) im Werkkat. S. 162 / Nr. 324 Wolfgangsee? 1912? ca. 28,5x37,5cm RhG Asp.

Yet again a stupid forgery; Hitler didn't paint lake or mountainscapes.

19 'Gebirgslandschaft mit Bergkirche A. Priesack, 1982 € 30.000,- forgery und Heuschober', undated, church (Price 544) in mountainscape, watercolor.

Wohl nach dem I. WK entstanden wohl freie Malweise ohne Vorzeichnung im Werkkat. S. 213 / 6704, p. 44 Nr. 544 a.d. Sammlung eines der prominentesten Künstler der 1930er Jahre ca. 20x14,5cm RhG Asp.

Yet again a stupid forgery; Hitler didn't paint mountainscapes. 'Bergkapelle mit Fichten', undated, A. Priesack, 1982 € 30.000,- forgery church in mountainscape, (Price 547) watercolor.

6705, p. 44 Aus Serie v. Landschaften aus dem bayer. Oberland aus Besitz eines prominenten Künstlers d. III. Reiches wohl nach I. WK ohne Bleistiftvorzeichnung im Werkkat. S. 213 / Nr. 547 ca. 12,5x14cm RhG Asp.

Yet again a stupid forgery; Hitler didn't paint mountainscapes.

20 'Im Wald', undated, trees, "Gekauft 1990 im € 19.000,- forgery watercolor. hanseat. Auktionshaus für Gek. 1990 im hanseat. Historica für 6706, p. 44 Auktionshaus f. Historica für 18.500DM. 18500DM Nachweis bayer. Nachweis bayer. Hauptstaatsarchiv siehe Hauptstaats- beiliegende Kopie des archiv" Auktionskataloges Passepartout ca. 32x51cm Asp.

Yet again a stupid forgery; on all authentic Hitler paintings (except one portrait) buildings are depicted. Furthermore, Hitler lacked the skills to paint a work like this.

Weidlers remarks about the provenance: "Nachweis bayer. Hauptstaatsarchiv" is as far as we know nonsense. 'Buschgruppe', undated, trees, "Gekauft 1990 im € 19.000,- forgery watercolor. hanseat. Auktionshaus für Gek. 1990 im hanseat. Historica für 6707, p. 44 Auktionshaus f. Historica für 21.000DM. 21000DM Nachweis bayer. Nachweis bayer. Hauptstaatsarchiv siehe Hauptstaats- beiliegende Kopie des archiv" Auktionskataloges Passepartout ca. 29x42cm Asp.

Same comments as on # 6706.

21 'Karlskirche', 1910, citysight Hans O.A. € 40.000,- very Vienna, watercolor. Horváth, 1994 doubtful

Wohl beste Ausführund der Karlskirchen-Serie m. Dokumentationsband Vgl. Werkkat. S. 143 ff ca. 21x27,5cm 6708, p. 44 RhG Asp.

This is more like it; the subject and date are at least right. But the name of the Gutachten-issuer makes it suspect.

Researching the provenance would learn if it could be authentic. If it can't be traced back to Hitler directly, it must be considered to be a forgery. 'VI-Bezirk Theobaldsgasse', Hans O.A. € 25.000,- forgery undated, city sight Vienna, Horváth, 1994 watercolor.

Feine Malqualität Originalpassepartout aus Privatbesitz zuvor aus Parteirückkauf Vgl. Werkkat. S. 6709, p. 44 148 wegen Nähe zu der Straße ca. 14,5x22cm RhG Asp.

It is a Viennese city sight, yet painted in a manner way beyond Hitler's capabilities. The human figures are too good to be made by Hitler.

22 'Blumenstilleben', 1911, still life, - € 7.000,- forgery oil.

Öl / Lwd. ca.55x32,5cm min. rest. aus Auflösung / Nachlass eines Militärsammlers aus Triest Vgl. Werkkat. S. 157

In 1936 the Vienna police 6710, p. 45 established that Hitler only painted cityscapes in 1910-1913, and that he only made watercolors.

'Zwei weibliche Akte', 1914, two - € 2.400,- forgery nudes, pencil drawing'.

ca. 42x31,5cm minimal abstrakt Stockflecken besch. (Löcher und Risse) Vgl. Werkkat. S. 226 / 234

6711, p. 45 This drawing is made in a manner Hitler was incapabable of. 'Stadszene mit Burg', 1909, city Frank P. Garo, ? € 15.000,- forgery sight, watercolor.

ca. 31,5x24cm m. forensischem Handschriftgutachten v. Frank P. GARO FHE m. Bleistiftvorzeichnung 6712, p. 45 Personendarstellung wohl Österreich stockfleckig Vgl. Werkkat. S. 104 / 116 u.a.

Only one Hitler watercolor from before 1910 is authentic, and that'is not this one. The human figures on this work are painted much better than Hitler painted human figures.

23 'Stadtansicht', village sight, - € 1.000,- forgery watercolor.

6713, p. 45 Ca.14x20cm aus ehem. Besitz eines SS-Mitarbeiters in Böhmen / Mähren rücks. geklebte Zeitung wohl Original 1936 stockfleckig Vgl. Werkkat. S. 168 ff

Hitler made only citysights (and one portait). Furthermore, this work does not resemble any of the known authentic Hitler watercolors.

'Kirchenansicht mit Bäumen', Frank P. Garo, € 6.000,- very citysight, watercolor. 2016 doubtful

lt. forensischem Schriftgutachten v. Frank P. GARO FHE gemalt aber wohl nicht sign. v. Adolf HITLER "Kirchenansicht mit Bäumen" ca. 6714, p. 45 34x25cm m. Kopie v. Zeitungsbericht aus Spanien "Zeichnungen von Hitler werden an den Höchstbietenden versteigert" "Der Führer übergab das Geschenk persönlich an den Luftwaffenchef Hermann Göring" Passepartout gerahmt Vgl. Werkkat. S. 116 ff besch. stockfleckig starke Asp.

This work does not resemble any of the known authentic Hitler watercolors. As is is accompanied by a Gutachten of Mr. Garo, this work is highly suspect.

24 'Landschaft mit Kirche', 1911, Frank P. Garo, ? € 1.500,- forgery village sight, watercolor.

ca. 27x36cm m. forensischem 6715, p. 45 Schriftgutachten v. Frank P. GARO FHE Vgl. Werkkat. S. 162-169

Hitler made only citysights (and one portait). As this work is accompanied by a Gutachten of Mr. Garo, this work is easily identified as a forgery. 'Landliches Haus mit Bäumen', - € 500,- forgery 1909, farm, pencil drawing.

42x32cm Vgl. Werkkat. S. 103 ff stark stockfleckig / besch.

No authentic drawings from Hitler 6716, p. 45 dating from 1909 are known. Furthermore, the quality of this drawing is too high to be made by Hitler.

'Wasserschloss mit Dampfer', - € 1.500,- forgery 1910, ink drawing.

Ca. 15x20cm Passepartout RhG 6717, p. 46 aus dem Nachlass eines US- Militärs min. Asp.

Hitler stated himself, in 'Tischgespräche' that all his pre- WWI drawings were lost. His boyhood friend August Kubizek preserved a few original drawings from the 1905-1908 period, though. But this was one was not in his collection.

25 'Wasserfall mit Schloss', 1911, Frank P. Garo, ? € 2.000,- forgery watercolor.

Wohl Wiener Umgebung ca. 6718, p. 46 42x51cm m. Schriftgutachten v. Frank P. GARO FHE Riss stark stockfleckig min. besch. Vgl. Werkkat. S. 114 ff

In 1936 the Vienna police established that Hitler only painted cityscapes in 1910-1913. 'Angler am Steg', 1910, watercolor. Frank P. Garo, ? € 1.500,- forgery

Ca. 28x34,5cm.

6719, p. 46 In 1936 the Vienna police established that Hitler only painted cityscapes in 1910-1913. 'Oberer Henkersteg Nürnberg', - € 2.000,- forgery undated, watercolor.

Ca. 22x31cm Vgl. Werkkat. S. 221 6720, p. 46 Only authentic Hitler city sights from Vienna and Munich are known to exist.

'Kloster im Weinberg', undated, - € 130,- very coal drawing. doubtful

ca. 20x18cm Vgl. Werkkat. S. 105 ff

6721, p. 46 No other examples of coal drawings by Hitler are known. It's highly unlikely that this work is authentic.

26 'Regierungsgebäude mit Kirche', € 2.300,- very 1910, mixed techniques." doubtful (no proof "ca. 30x21cm gek. 1992 in England of im Auktions- / Antiquitätenhaus f. authentic 1700 Pfund Rechnung ursprünglich ity) aus dem Nachlass eines Militärsammlers Vgl. Werkkat. S. 6722, p. 46 130"

This work doen not resemble on any of the known Hitlers. Provenance research should point out if it might be authentic or not. 'Hotel am Forst, 1910, watercolor. Frank P. Garo, ? € 2.500,- forgery

Ca. 16x23,5cm 6723, p. 47 In 1936 the Vienna police established that Hitler only painted cityscapes in 1910-1913. 'Damenportrait/Beinstudie nach Frank P. Garo, ? € 2.500,- forgery antikem Vorbild', undated, pencil drawing.

ca. 38x26,5. Vgl. Werkkat. S. 226 RhG stockfleckig Asp.

6724, p. 46 Hitler was too prudish and too untalented for making this rather good drawing.

27 'Schloss Thumburg', 1907. Frank P. Garo, ? € 1.300,- forgery Interior, pencil drawing colored with watercolor.

Dat. 25.09.(19)07 bez. Schloss Thumburg wohl Südtirol "Interieur mit Blick auf die 6725, p. 47 Terasse" ca. 20x13cm Vgl. Werkkat. S. 115

R.u. außerhalb des Bildes monogr. "A.H." 21312 350,00 (wohl Adolf H.) L.u. undeutl. bez. "Pegau" "Stadt mit Brücke am Fluss" ca. 6726, p. 47 21x16,5cm min. besch. leichter mittiger Knick Asp.

This work doen not resemble on any of the known Hitlers. Provenance research should point out if it might be authentic or not. 6727 , p. 47 Tischdecke / table cloth 'from the € 630,- doubtful possession of Adolf H.'

m. Bestätigung: a.d. Besitz Adolf H.

Confirmation by whom? Based on what evidence?

28 Chair with swastikas 'from Hitler's € 6.500,- doubtful private belongings.'

Korbstuhl m. Schriftstück lt. EL aus Hitlers 21314 6.500,00 Privatbesitz aus Haus Wachenfeld 6728, p. 47 (Berghof) AH's Veterinär Karl Reimann bekam ihn als pers. Geschenk f. langjährige Dienste; Aus Familienbesitz der Reimanns; AH saß wohl gerne im Wintergarten darin Asp. Gsp. (s. §§86 / 86a StGB)

Exists any evidence to corrobarate this story?If not - then this item is not only fraud, but Nazi propaganda. 6729, p. 47 Porcelain 'plundered from € 5.500,- provenan Reichskanzlei' ce is very doubtful Unterlagen v. MEISSEN & Hermann Historica (26. Auktion 1992 Los 5221 Aufruf 12500DM m. orig. Kat.-Text als Kopie) Modell: Erich Oehme aus Formenbuch 1940 "Großes Segelschiff bez. nach Baring" im Bezug auf den maritimen Porzellanmaler A.W. BARING; wohl "Gorch Fock" dargestellt als Spezialanfertigung f. AH, da sonst nie Symbol des III. Reiches auf Rückseite; MEISSEN stellt die Wahrscheinlichkeit fest, dass Erklärung des Militärs authentisch ist: Bescheinigung v. 1962 von russ. Militär B. BIBIKOW , dass diese Vase aus den Privaträumen v. AH in Reichskanzlei 1945 beschlagnahmt wurde; auf Unterseite Formennummer ca. 49x50x23cm Asp. (s. §§86 / 86a StGB)

Exists any real evidence to corrobarate the post war story?

29 Kirche mit personen', undated, Frank P. Garo, € 3.100,- very pencil drawing colored with 2018 doubtful watercolor.

Wohl Wiener Ansicht m. 6730, p. 47 Schriftgutachten v. 2018 v. Frank P. GARO FHE ca. 15x17,5cm min. stockfleckig Asp. Vgl. Werkkat. S. 130 ff

Provenance research should point out if it might be authentic or not.

'Wien Gumpendörfer Strasse', Hans O.A. € 5.000,- forgery undated, watercolor. Horváth, ?

Ca. 17x17,8cm Passepartout RhG Vgl. Werkkat. S. 151ff

6731, p. 45 The human figures on this work are better painted than Hitler could. 'Wien, Margareten, Hans O.A. € 5.000,- forgery Rauchfangkehrerkirche', undated, Horváth, ? watercolor'

Ca. 8x11cm Passepartout seltene Darstellung Kirche existiert heute nichtmehr RhG Vgl. Werkkat. S. 151ff 6732, p. 47 The human figures on this work are totally different than human figures on authentic Hitler watercolors. 'Wien Fasszieherhaus', undated, Hans O.A. € 5.000,- forgery citysight, watercolor. Horváth, ?

ca. 12,8x17,4cm Passepartout RhG Vgl. Werkkat. S. 148ff

The human figures on this work are 6733, p. 47 totally different than human figures on authentic Hitler watercolors.