Goebbels’ love letters, fiction go on sale

NEW YORK: Poems, love letters and works of fiction written by Joseph Goebbels before he became Adolf Hitler’s propaganda chief went on sale this week near New York. Alexander Historical Auctions described the archive of Goebbels’ pre-war literary efforts as “the most important cache of World War II autographs to ever become available for sale.”

The collection, which is said to be in perfect condition and is estimated to be worth $ 200,000- $ 300,000, reveals a little-known side of the man who later joined the inner circle in Germany’s Nazi Party. In plays, a novel and other writings, Goebbels displayed his resentment and sen- sitivity, but also his rapidly hardening attitudes. Bill Panagopulos, the auction house’s president, added: “It sums up the formative years of the number two man in the Third Reich, who was responsible for motivating the masses in Germany to back Hitler. “It shows how this rather simple, shy and love-struck college student really just became radicalized.”

Included are school report cards and essays, personal letters, love letters, poetry and anti-capitalist dramas focusing on downtrodden workers in a corrupt world. The auction closes Friday, with online bids Monday reaching $ 100,000.