A painting entitled 'Outskirts of a town with bridge and figures', dated 1909, by Adolf Hitler. The painting was sold at auction in Ludlow.

Fifteen paintings by Adolf Hitler have sold at a Shropshire auction for a staggering £95,000 – many thousands more than the original reserve.

The watercolours were painted by the Nazi leader when he was in his early twenties, long before he came to political power.

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Richard Westwood-Brookes, historical items expert at Mullocks, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the result of the sale. I am pleased that the rest of the sale was also very good.

“It does show that we have put Ludlow on the world map. People came from all over the world.”

Mr Westwood-Brookes said the interest in the Hitler paintings had been “staggering”.

John Ratledge, of Birmingham, bought the first painting in the sale, depicting a landscape with a figure sitting on a bridge.

The painting, dated 1910 and signed AH, is believed to show a young Hitler.

Mr Ratledge said: “I’ve always been interested in the Third Reich and World War Two. This painting is still a part of the biggest part of recent history.”

Another collector who had come from Belgium especially for the sale, bought a watercolour of a brook and figures amidst woodland.

The man said he had more than 217 war paintings and pictures, including some smuggled out from concentration camps. He said: “I collect drawings relating to the war and thought I would try to get one from the hands of a monster.”

Among other items sold was Elvis’s prayer book, which went to Michelle Tanner of Newtown, Powys. Mrs Tanner, a life-long Elvis fan, said: “I have been waiting for this all my life. I’m extremely happy.

Stella Mitchell, owner of the Land of Lost Content Museum in Craven Arms, picked up a blouse worn by Marilyn Monroe.

She plans to display it in the museum.

By Catherine Roche and Sophie Bignall