What is a hitler bust worth?

[TrondK]

I didnt know mr Gottlieb is the leading militaria dealer?!

[MD Helmets]

You must remember, when it comes to the Internet, anyone can write anything. I just looked at the Wikipedia page. Nice GQ portrait photo. What a tool.

[Adrian]

Anyway, back to the bust........

Can anyone post some pics?

[thekid]

Anyway, back to the bust........

Can anyone post some pics?

When I get home I'll post them up

All the best,
Stefan

[Adrian]

Here's the description and a few pics for posterity.......

"Larger than lifesize portrait bust of Adolf Hitler. The heavy iron bust stands about 16 inches tall, and was sculpted by Albert Mazzotti the senior, well known sculptor and medallion artist from Münster. The representation is a better likeness than many I've found over the years. Along with the bust is documentation identifying the GI who brought the piece back from Luxembourg, where it had been part of the decoration of the Radio Luxembourg offices. Radio Luxembourg had become part of the Reichsrundfunk in 1940 and remained so until 1944, when the American Army took over the area. The piece was also used as a propaganda piece, as can be seen in the accompanying press photo showing it with a noose around its neck during a war bond drive. As can be seen in the photos, there is a hairline crack to the bust, which is neither structural nor distracting, and otherwise it's in excellent condition. It would have been on a marble or granite block while at the Radio Luxembourg offices, and would look superb if re-mounted."

[Kiwipete]

Thanks Ade for posting the link for me......im not very good at this stuff lol.
Yes I like this piece but But might be to pricey.
I guess putting a valve on somthing that has a bit of known history is the million dollar question etc.
........I,m not really feeling the Love in the forum for the gottlieb lol.
Tar for the input.
Pete

[Adrian]

No doubt it is authentic, worth the asking price? Not in my opinion but it's up to the buyer I guess!

I suppose the first thing to do would be to research the current market price of bronze busts, factor in the desireability of the subject and artist, how rare etc and go from there.

[SteveR]

After a little research the sculpture is by Giuseppe Mazzotti. 1907 - 1981
A noted Italian ceramist, art critic and Art museum founder. What you would buy is the provanance of the piece. As I have stated before about artworks with nazi themes, they have little or no value in modern art markets. You would pay $6000.00 for a story.
If you have that kind of pocket change and no desire to ever recover any of your monetary investment I would tell you sure go ahead and buy it. The price of scrap bronze has been up the last few years. With heavy inflation and given a century or two you might be able get the selling price back. The amount would be equal to a carton of Coca Cola.

Post Script
I looked at the sculpture again and noticed a major crack in the piece. The actual value is the price of scrap bronze.

[Adrian]

Thank you for your thoughts Steve. I agree that the only market place for it would be to a TR collector, outside of our little world, the market is limited.

Out of curiosity, what value would you place on just the bronze if you were asked to name a price to buy it at?

[Kiwipete]

If a big named dealer doesnt move a item like this do they drop their prices in a slow market like now?.