Mussolini in Deutschland
Berlin: Freiheitsverlag G.m.b.H., 1937. First edition. Softcover. Quarto. 64pp. Original photo-illustrated dust-jacket over blind stiff wrappers.
A collection of 45 photogravures documenting Mussolini's 5-day official visit to his friend and ally Adolf Hitler, in Germany, in late September 1937. Many of the photographs featured in this work were taken by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann. Striding side by side, the two dictators and partners of the Berlin-Rome Axis are seen touring Munich where they laid wreaths on various Nazi monuments. Among these was the Feldherrnhalle in Königsplatz, which held the bodies of 16 Nazi heroes killed in the 1923 Munich Putsch. The next series of photographs were taken in the little village of Lalendorf where Hitler and Mussolini witnessed the most impressive military manoeuvres of post-WWI Germany. The following images show the two leaders visiting the mighty Krupp munitions works at Essen.
Two photographs of Benito Mussolini attending a luncheon given by Göring and his wife at their famous hunting lodge Karinhall, are placed between the largest series of pictures showing the two men during the grandiose Berlin celebrations in their honor. Indeed, an estimated crowd of 650,000 people attended the demonstration organized on the Maifeld, the polo ground adjoining the Olympic Stadium. At the official tribune, Mussolini delivered a speech where he spoke of the awakening of Germany through the Nazi revolution, Bolshevism, the common enemy, and Germany’s friendly stand during the Ethiopian War. The speech ended with a stress on the 115 million Germans and Italians and the need for them to unite “in one single, unshakable determination.”
Closed tear and soiling at back cover of dust-jacket. Moderate abrasion along fore-edge of DJ. Clear and minor water-staining along fore-edge of the first 32 pages (not affecting lettering). Text in German, gothic script. DJ in overall good-, wrappers and interior in good+ to very good, photographs in very good condition. g to vg. Item #40282
Price: $575.00