County auction for Hitler sticker book

A chilling picture album of "stickers" showing Adolf Hitler in the 1930s is set to go under the hammer in Shropshire, after it was unearthed by the family of a Second World War soldier.

The book, complete with dust jacket, has emerged after 70 years and shows 138 images of the Nazi leader.

See below for more pictures

The pictures, which show Hitler ski-ing, on a train, reading and taking part in everyday activities, were collected by his supporters and Nazi Youth who could have been swapping them in the playground.

The album is due to be auctioned at Ludlow Racecourse today.

Richard Westwood-Brookes, for Mullocks Auctioneers, said: "It is incredible to think that people spent their leisure time contributing to the Nazi propaganda machine.

"Every element of human activity including the innocent collection of stamps and stickers was drawn into an evil purpose."

He said that although he has seen quite a few similar sticker books in his time this is a particularly good example.

He added: "This is one of the most sought after ones. It is the Hitler life-story so to speak."

The book was brought back after the Second World War by a British soldier.

Among the other lots up at the auction is a letter from King George VI about the birth of the current Queen and a memorandum from Queen Victoria written three weeks after her coronation.

The letter signed "Albert", then the Duke of York, thanks a Mr de Putron for his congratulations on the birth of his daughter and says: "We feel sure our little girl will be a great joy to us."

It is addressed 17 Bruton Street, London, and dated April 26, 1926, when the Queen was six days old.

It is expected to fetch up to £400. Of the memorandum dated August 1837 from Victoria, Mr Westwood-Brookes said: "This is of the greatest rarity. Autographic material of Queen Victoria at this stage of her reign rarely appears on the market.

At this time she was a girl of just 18, far from the image of the dour, black clad, old woman which has long been associated with her.

"She was a headstrong young girl who after years of repression from her quite dreadful mother, the Duchess of Kent, and her mother's equally dreadfully dull mentors had suddenly realised that as Queen she could do virtually what she liked."

The item could fetch up to £500. Other items include a letter from Isambard Kingdom Brunel, written from the Thames Tunnel, and an original bill for a group of players led by Charles Dickens dated 1848 could make up to £400.

For more information go to www.mullocksauctions.co.uk or call (01694) 771771.

By Sophie Bignall nextpage Hitler the man of state