Is there any Nurenberg Specialists? Grandpappy had Guard duty and alot of Cigs

[GrandPappyNurenberg]

So my Grand Father was posted at the trials and got most of the defendants signatures, a drawing along with the Nurenberg Ashtray and a pen. He seemed to keep very good records and has a pretty impressive scrap book full of ads, patches and allot of other stuff I have no clue about. I have been very interested in history and when I saw all of this I was shocked. I had started talking with the Library Historian about preserving the signatures properly as they are in a scrap book. I guess what I am asking is, what should I do with this stuff. Once I showed interest, the family got freaked out and the Signatures have since disapeared at my Grandmothers place. They just dont seem to realize how rare and important this all is. I would like to save them and have them all stored properly. Another question is, would the Autographs be worth more with the Ash tray and pen as proof, or no? Thanks, and any help on this would be appreciated.

P.S. this isnt B.S. so please lets not waste time wondering if it is or isnt. I have the sigs and other things on C.D. from when I documented them years ago. I just dont want family ignorance to lose something so rare, as the knives, Lugers and helmets were lost by his children years ago.

[CARL]

Welcome to the forum,

Re: your question regarding the collection

If possible, retain all pieces relative to the period and place. It would be of monetary and historical benefit to keep them all together, not to mention the fact that they are all related to the family.

Re: the preservation of the paper items

1. Brief research on the Internet will reveal outlets that specialise in safe and affordable documentation storage materials.
2. Keep the pieces out of direct sunlight, air-free and limit the handling to an absolute minimum.
3. Consider making scans for display purposes (should they ever be intended for that reason), as this will allow the originals to be stored safely.

I understand that the items are not yours, but if you were able to post images of them it would certainly be of interest here.

Regards,

Carl

[StefanM]

Carl's recommendations are spot on!

I am intrigued to know more about the scrapbook and also would like to see some photos of its contents. Were the defendants signatures autographs or clipped from documents that had their signatures to make up a complete set? I can't imagine the defendants autographing scraps of paper... too bizarre to contemplate?

[CARL]

I remember seeing an interesting lot offered for sale several years ago, by one of the UK's leading dealers. It was a near complete set of signatures of the Nürnberg defendants. All examples were on thin brown card tickets. Thinking back, I can remember having seen similar tickets before, although not as a near complete set. Perhaps some of the guards used these pieces for this purpose.

Regards,

Carl

[bigmacglenn]

It is known that the GIs guarding the accused at Nurnberg would ask them for autographs...
cheers, Glenn

[GrandPappyNurenberg]

Thanks for the reply and the info. I have one of two or three scrap books. It seems to show where he went and stuff from those places. Currency, stamps,postcards,Propaganda things like that. I will find a way to get it all copied like the Autographs.

As for the Autographs. These are actual autographs to my Grandfather from the defendants while they were in their cells. They are all pretty big. The signed picture is almost 30 mb so I have to size them down. I think I can get the smallest one up.

[StefanM]

Totally bizzare!!!!! I just can't imagine Reichspräsident Dönitz acceding to a humble GI autograph hunter requests....but it seems that it did happen.

[StefanM]

Thanks for the reply and the info. I have one of two or three scrap books. It seems to show where he went and stuff from those places. Currency, stamps,postcards,Propaganda things like that. I will find a way to get it all copied like the Autographs.

As for the Autographs. These are actual autographs to my Grandfather from the defendants while they were in their cells. They are all pretty big. The signed picture is almost 30 mb so I have to size them down. I think I can get the smallest one up.

I would recommend NOT posting any more of these signature chits!

They could easily be copied and fakes produced!

[danno81]

Suggest to your family you put them on loan to a museum or facility like the Holocaust Museum. This set is very valuable and that would ensure preservation and security. You all retain ownership rights yet they can be used in an educational forum and as a legacy to your Grandfathers Service.

[GrandPappyNurenberg]

Thanks for that tidbit on Foregery. Never crossed my mind. As for my family. I have presented that case to my Grand Mother and Mother, and im afraid they just arent capable of understanding how rare and important these autograps are. I will post pictures of the Drawing of the Castle and what was written on it. I have been curious to see what the note says. I also have one of the Ash trays and one of the Fountain pens used at the trials, very nice pieces. I will try to get these up for you all to see if you like. I also have this old sling/Bandage that has pictures on it for showing how to dress different wounds. I will try to get some pics of that as its really unique.