Im Namen des Reichs: Adolf Hitler Removes Jewish Professor and Resistance Member Dr. Friedrich Brie from his University Chair (Signed Adolf Hitler)
Berchtesgaden: NP, 1937. Original document. Loose leaf. Quarto. Remarkable one page order by Adolf Hitler on official, printed letterhead, blind-stamped with German Eagle and Swastika. The text of the document: "I release the Professor Dr. Friedrich Brie, based on article 4 of the academy-teacher-law of January 21st, 1935 – RGBL. I page 33 – from his official obligations. Berchtesgaden, December 28, 1937. The Fuehrer and Reich-Chancellor. Signed Adolf Hitler." Co-signed by Bernhard Rust (1883–1945), Minister of Science, Education and National Culture, and considered a zealous Nazi, at the bottom right corner of the page. Hitler gave the order while on a retreat for the Christmas holiday at his vacation home in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria. Documents signed by Hitler relating directly to actions against Jews are extremely rare.
Includes small leaf (3,5 x 3,5") with printed order for Brie's removal in English: "On Behalf of the State I release Professor Dr. Friedrich Brie based on # 4 of the laws of the university dated 21 January 1935 - RGB1.JS. 33 - from his professional responsibilities. Berchtesgaden, December 28, 1937 The Fuhrer and Chancelor of the State Adolf Hitler."
Dr. Friedrich Brie (1818–1948) was full professor of English Language and Literature Studies and headmaster at the University of Freiburg. Considered to be a half-Jew, according to the the Nazi laws, Brie was slated to be removed from his post. However, due to the intervention of colleagues, including Dean Metz, and Matthew Taylor Mellon of the Pittsburgh Carnegie-Mellon Dynasty, who he had become friends with, it was possible to keep him employed until Hitler removed him in 1937. Brie had met Matthew Taylor Mellon during a stay in the US in 1927/28 and solicited him as editor for the English Seminary at the Freiburg University where Mellon received his Ph.D. with a work on slavery in 1934.
Brie was arrested on November 9, 1938, during the Kristallnacht, and interned at Dachau for a few days. During the war Brie held secret meeting and was supported by the members of the Freiburg professorial resistance circle. He published until 1940 and some of his articles were worded so ambiguously that resistant meaning can be attributed to them. Brie was reinstated by the French Administration to become the first professor of the university after the war to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Very light wear along folds of document, horizontal and vertical. Small leaf with sunning along edges. Very good condition. Near fine condition. Item #45628
Price: $7,500.00