all Rights Reserved ©
German and Allies WWII Propaganda & Militaria
Lot 270:
Adolf Hitler Leather Driving Cap:Leather driving cap owned and worn by Adolf Hitler.Obtained directly from relatives of Jakob Werlin – it had been in the Werlin Family for the last 80+ years.A little history on Werlin below:In 1921, Werlin worked for the Benz motor company in Munich. He became acquainted with Adolf Hitlerin 1923 due to the Benz dealership being located next to the office where the Völkischer Beobachter wasprinted. That same year he sold a Benz to Hitler for the use of the Nazi Party, and thereafter the Partywould come to Werlin to purchase limousines. After the merger with Daimler in 1926 Werlin was leaderof the local Daimler-Benz subsidiary and started the Mercedes dealership in Munich (NiederlassungMünchen).In 1934 Werlin became a member of the Nazi Party and a confidant of Hitler. Along with FerdinandPorsche, Werlin was involved with Hitler’s attempt to build the People’s Car (Volkswagen) but was criticalof its success.Although placed in an American internment camp until 1948, Werlin survived the war.The cap was stored by the Family with many items from Hitler. The cap was given to Jakob Werlin oneday whilst they were out driving together, Werlin forgot to return the cap and Hitler never asked for itback.The cap comes with two photo-copied pictures showing Hitler sitting in a car in the very early days of theNazi Party. In the car with him are Julius Streicher, Emil Maurice and possibly Otto Kumar – the others Ihave not identified. Also included an Agfa photo of Hitler with Werlin and various business lettersreferencing the Daimler Benz businesses in Stuttgart and Munich dated 1929, 1951, 1957, 1958 and 1961,further translation and research are required of these letters. Also, it appears a school or university reportfrom Werlins wife. There is also a signed confirmation and photo from German Historian Mr RobertBrandner.The cap is very high quality and lined with a very soft hessian lining which does have severe wear. Allparts appear original to the cap, and all are aged equally. The AH stamped into the chin strap looked atunder a very powerful eyeglass, is certainly part of the surrounding leather and the age lines stretch acrossthe letters evenly, these letters have not been added. At the back of the head position, the seam is splitpartially. There has been considerable shrinkage to the leather probably due to severe weathering whilstdriving or passenger. If you look at all photos of Hitler wearing a version of the flyers leather cap, itappeared he liked a tight fit like all WW1 German pilots. A tight fit kept out the wind and rain. The capsize is now estimated at 56 it was originally a size or two bigger due to shrinkage.
Share this lot:
all Rights Reserved ©