Beschreibung:

Hess (Rudolf, 1894-1987). A remarkable archive of personal effects, memorabilia and ephemera, notably the aluminium/alloy inspection cover removed from the fuselage of HessÕs Messerschmitt Bf 110E-1/N following his infamous crash landing at Eaglesham, south of Glasgow, on 10 May 1941, of almost circular shape with two red circles below silver-coloured diamond, locking nut with red arrow pointing right above black arrow and the word ÔAufÕ, 24 x 23cm (9.5 x 9ins), together with a German Iron Cross First Class found in the cockpit of HessÕs crashed Messerschmitt, somewhat blackened and damaged, a Mercedes Benz circular enamelled metal badge removed from one of the twin-engines of HessÕs plane (with a letter of provenance from J.M.F. White, a research engineer at Farnborough from whom this was purchased), and a vintage black and white photograph of the wreckage of HessÕs aircraft showing RAF men guarding the aircraft (one head circled in black identifying the person from whom the other items were purchased), slightly creased and soiled with small marginal split to upper margin repaired to verso, 10.5 x 15.5cm, together with a group of 12 X-ray negatives of Rudolf HessÕs broken thigh when a prisoner in England at Mytchett Place, dated in ink 28 July 1941, the X-rays taken after HessÕs suicide attempt by leaping over the balcony from the first floor, two X-rays with a small ÔHÕ in ink at top, 39 x 28cm and smaller, plus original wartime envelope, plus an archive of Hess books, photographs and ephemera, including an early small private photograph, circa 1938, 6 x 8cm, inscribed on reverse ÔHerr Rudolf Hess snapped at Hohenschwangau (facing camera)Õ, 6 Polaroids taken outside Spandau prison, a typed letter signed from Ilse Hess to Walter Steinecke, 22 February 1955, referring amongst other things to her husband and that the only people allowed to write to Hess are herself, her son, mother, brother and sister, and that they are only allowed to send something for him to smoke (but he doesnÕt smoke), soap and underwear (which he wonÕt accept as he stubbornly insists that since theyÕve locked him up they also have to clothe him, and that he is so extreme in this that many donÕt understand him and think he must be crazyÕ), a typed statement signed from Ilse Hess in German and titled ÔA Request to the Friends of England-Nuremberg-SpandauÕ, trying to promote her book, a real photo postcard of Hess by Hoffmann and another pre-war photo card of Hess, a pamphlet by Hess titled ÔGermany in Peace: A SoldierÕs MessageÕ, printed for private circulation, Berlin, n.d., circa mid 1930s, a copy of the front page of the Daily Express for 13 May 1941 with the headline concerning HessÕs aircraft crash and capture in Scotland, ÔThe Deputy-Fuehrer Gives Himself UpÕ, plus a quantity of other magazines, photocopies and related information concerning Hess plus 4 modern biographies including one paperback. HessÕs reasons for flying to Scotland in this bizarre story have never been fully explained, but it seems he was attempting to reach the Duke of Hamilton, who he believed had sufficient political clout to help him negotiate peace with the United Kingdom. The unique set of X-ray negatives were acquired by Michael Forman in 1972 from Mrs K. Foley, widow of Colonel Francis Edward Foley, CMG, Senior Officer in charge of Hess at the time. Included with the lot is a letter from Mrs Foley to Michael Forman relating to the X-rays and sent in 1972 and a letter from 1973 concerning the X-rays by Ilford and confirming that the X-rays are on Ilford film and must date between 1939 and 1943. In the book ÔThe Case of Rudolf HessÕ, edited by J.R. Rees, 1947, HessÕs X-rays are referred to on page 60: ÔOn the 28th July 1941 his leg was X-rayed at the request of the surgical specialist. Hess had heard that X-rays rendered one sexually sterile, and he carefully used the lid of the steriliser to cover his genitalia during exposuresÕ. A copy of this book is included with the lot.