This
Adolf Hitler Christmas card bears the printed date “Dezember 1943” and a German Christmas and New Year greeting. Purchased from Milestone Auctions, it features cream-coloured card, a gold-toned eagle device and black script lettering. Although a signature in Hitler’s name appears beneath the message, the card’s originality and signature authenticity remain unverified.The reverse also carries handwritten English annotations concerning an earlier authentication claim. These notes provide a potential research lead alongside the card’s recent auction provenance.
Printed Design and German Greeting
The landscape-format card displays an eagle above a swastika wreath in the upper-left corner. Beneath this device, capital letters spell “ADOLF HITLER”. Meanwhile, the printed December 1943 date occupies the upper-right corner.The central greeting reads:“Herzliche Glückwünsche für das Weihnachtsfest
und zum Jahreswechsel”In English, this means:“Warmest wishes for Christmas and the New Year.”The textured card has a cream-to-buff appearance with overall toning. In addition, the spacious layout clearly separates the emblem, date, greeting and signature. The available photographs reveal no identifiable printer’s mark.
Reverse Notes on the Adolf Hitler Christmas Card
Handwritten notes near the upper reverse edge include “A.H. signed greeting card”, “Ink signature not printed” and “authenticated”.A date appears to read
1/7/68, with a second occurrence beneath the authentication note. Another passage appears to include “Young” or “Youngs” and “Phillips”. However, the preceding initial or title remains unclear.These annotations record the writer’s opinion about the signature. They do not independently establish an examination by Phillips, identify the examiner or prove when the writer added the notes.For further guidance, our
militaria provenance guide explains how ownership records and handwritten claims contribute to an evidence file.
Signature and Authentication Assessment
The signature shows variations in stroke width and tone. Nevertheless, the photographs do not establish whether someone wrote it directly onto the card or reproduced it mechanically.For comparison, the
Gettysburg Museum of History lists a Hitler Christmas card with a printed signature. This distinction matters because a period card does not necessarily carry a handwritten autograph.Consequently, the present description makes no confirmed attribution to Hitler’s own hand. Examination of the original card and supporting records would help resolve its manufacture, signature method and authorship.
Condition and Mounting Traces
The front displays toning, scattered surface marks and edge wear. A diagonal crease crosses the lower-right corner, while the lower edge has a small irregularity. Despite these condition issues, the principal printed wording remains clearly legible.On the reverse, broad brown traces appear consistent with former adhesive mounting. The handwritten notes remain visible, although several characters resist a secure reading. Together, the photographs record both the presentation and the areas requiring closer examination.
Provenance: Milestone Auctions
This Adolf Hitler Christmas card was purchased from
Milestone Auctions. The purchase establishes its immediate source; earlier ownership and the original recipient remain unidentified.The auction provenance does not independently settle the card’s age or signature authenticity. Accordingly, the reverse notes and purchase history remain separate parts of the catalogue record.For related research, explore our
militaria collector guides and
military reference books.
The Gettysburg comparison specifically describes its signature as printed, rather than handwritten.