Friday, June 23, 2023

‘Avalanche’ of Demand for Nazi Artefacts ahead of Australian Ban on Sale of Hate Symbols

THE GUARDIAN: Jewish groups decry ‘vomit-inducing’ frenzy of auctions before impending law change that will also prohibit public display of items

Sellers says collectors, not neo-Nazis, buy their memorabilia, but the rush of sales has been condemned as a ‘twisted obsession’ by the Anti-Defamation Commission. Photograph: Invaluable auction house

Australian militaria shops say there is an “avalanche” of demand for Nazi artefacts in anticipation of an impending ban on the sale of Nazi symbols.

A bill introduced to federal parliament in mid-June will ban the public display and sale of Nazi symbols, making it an offence to seek to profit from such material in stores or online. It will not ban private ownership or transfers of artefacts that are not for profit.

Sellers say the bill has prompted a frenzy of buying and selling, with signed pictures of Hitler, Himmler and Rommel sold at an auction last weekend on the Gold Coast. » | Mostafa Rachwani | Friday, June 23, 2023

Winning bidders of ‘despicable’ Nazi memorabilia urged to donate items to Sydney Jewish Museum: SS paraphernalia and an album of 500 photos from concentration camps which sold for $25,000 among items at Queensland auction »

Northern Ireland sale of Hitler memorabilia to go ahead despite outcry: Bloomfield Auctions rejects accusations it is acting immorally and insulting the memory of Nazis’ victims »