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August Militaria Auction
Lot 372:
The only remains from Hitler’s private wine cellar at Obersalzberg that exist.The documentation about the find is unique, included are photos of the recovery of the pieces when the wine cellar was uncovered.In addition, some newspaper articles about the find and numerous photos.The relics were exhibited representatively in a leather display case.Based on the inscription on the corks and the seals of the neck of the bottle images of the original bottles were found and included in the display.A unique collector’s item. In 2001 and 2002, the Bavarian state government ordered that all remaining ruins – remnantsof the inner restricted area (Führer Sperrgebiet Obersalzberg) be cleared and removed.As a local Film production company, we accompanied the excavation work with our camera.In progress, we established friendly contact with the construction workers employed there.The area was first cleared, then the so-called Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service searched the area for bomb duds and ammunition. Finally, excavators and heavy equipment were used touncover the entrances to the still existing cellars and bunkers of the former buildings of the FührerSperrgebiet.Again and again, collapsed rooms were discovered that had been inaccessible since the bombingon April 25, 1945. This was particularly the case with the Obersalzberg administration buildingand the so-called Model house" next to it.The "Model House" was commissioned by Martin Bormann, officially with the purpose of keepingand storing architectural models for National Socialist planning. However, in the basement was anextensive secret depot of Bormann.A corridor ran through the middle of the building, leading to individual chambers on both sides.The entrances to the chambers were secured by heavy oak doors. Behind them were partlyextensive stocks of French wines and cognacs, as well as art objects.During the excavation of this building between 2001 and 2002, it was discovered that this buildinghad been damaged by a direct bomb hit in such a way that the entire cellar ceiling had collapsedonto the numerous rooms in the cellar, thus protecting a large number of wine bottles and objectsfrom access by looters.The doors to the individual chambers were buried under meters of thick rubble.During the uncovering in 2001 / 2002, these remains of French luxury wine bottles were also found.
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