Amber Covered Mein Kampf from SS Hans Heins

[der-hase-fee]

Does anyone have a picture of this polish fake?

[der-hase-fee]

The Amber editions I've observed do not have a metal frame enclosing the amber, do not have a static swastika and don't have print on the binding. Also, notice the amber orientation. I've never seen an amber edition with the amber pieces all equal and orientated in a symmetrical grid. The amber should differ in size and orientated differently throughout.

How about this one - at least addressing some of your comcerns:

[Br. James]

My head is spinning! Please remind me: What was the purpose of these Amber MKs? Could anyone purchase one, or were they created to be special gifts or awards presented by Hitler or someone else in high position? Does each volume contain a special dedication page, or something else to indicate the occasion of a presentation?

Br. James

[Berghof]

My head is spinning! Please remind me: What was the purpose of these Amber MKs? Could anyone purchase one, or were they created to be special gifts or awards presented by Hitler or someone else in high position? Does each volume contain a special dedication page, or something else to indicate the occasion of a presentation?

Br. James

James, I believe anyone could buy this addition, but was very expensive. There are documented instances where some were given as gifts, by Hitler. If I remember correclty, I saw these amber editions featured in the Die Kunst Im Deutschen Reich Magazine 1942 June Ausgabe B edition (a legit period referrence). I've since sold my Die Kunst Im Deutschen Reich magazines and can no longer look it up. The Amber editions were made by Bernstein Industries and all should have a metallic plate affixed to the inside cover. The amber was only on the front side of the book.

[Jeff V]

Thanks for that! If that one is the polish fake I doubt it would fool any serious collector. It is also more believable to me that the original posters is good.

[Br. James]

Thanks very much for your informative response, Mike! So, it is the presence of the metal plaque from Bernstein Industries of Königsberg which was mounted to the inside cover of each book which establishes the genuine originality of each volume? It's very important to know that!

From the photos you provide, it appears that there was no 'standard cover design' to these Amber MKs; the content of each cover's metalwork seems to have changed over time. I also notice that the back cover matches the color of the leather of the book's binding...how was that accomplished, I wonder? I guess the purpose of the presence of the back plate was to provide a solid base on which to anchor the metal book closure hinge? And apparently the back plate did not contain any Amber...

Again, very interesting! Thanks for sharing your expertise, my friend!

Br. James

[Berghof]

One more final comment. These amber editions also came in a case like the below. Like assessing any historical artifact, we have to carefully examine the sum of the parts. The one in the original posting would not be for me for many reasons.

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[H.Guderian]

One more final comment. These amber editions also came in a case like the below. Like assessing any historical artifact, we have to carefully examine the sum of the parts. The one in the original posting would not be for me for many reasons.

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Thanks for your expertise comments. Anyway this Mein Kampf comes directly from the family of Hans Heins and only showed the pics in order to share this beautiful piece. It turned to a big criticize of originality but no problem as there is no interest in sell it from them. It's a family relic.

[Berghof]

Thanks for your expertise comments. Anyway this Mein Kampf comes directly from the family of Hans Heins and only showed the pics in order to share this beautiful piece. It turned to a big criticize of originality but no problem as there is no interest in sell it from them. It's a family relic.

Thank you for sharing. I certainly don't want to be the judge, jury and executioner. This is just my opinion...and the reason why we have such forums. Unfortunately, in this day in age, we tend to be guilty until proven innocent. It would be very helpful if we could get more pictures of the construction, perhaps anything showing a manufacture stamp?


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[der-hase-fee]

One more final comment. These amber editions also came in a case like the below. Like assessing any historical artifact, we have to carefully examine the sum of the parts.

Correct, those made by Naujoks, Mann & Gedenk came in the blue case. But many of the cases went missing eventually.


The one presented here appears to be made by Bernsteinmanufaktur Danzig, in contrast.

[Br. James]

Thanks for this additional information, Andreas. So it appears that there were at least two manufacturers of the Amber Edition of MK, so there are bound to be differences in the final product, especially since there doesn't appear to be any indication that there was a central authority which oversaw production of these elaborate pieces. In that case, I would think that anyone wanting to order one of these books and who had enough cash to afford it, would have had the opportunity to dictate how the final piece appeared -- as if each one was 'made to order' for each customer. In such a case, how could anyone finally decide if any one example was "genuine and original to the period?"

While I have no idea how much one of these Amber MK editions sells for, it seems that there is no way of critically analyzing one specific example, since there was apparently no 'standard version' to begin with! It looks as if each one was 'a work of art' in its own right, and therefore different from any other example.

In such a case, I'm glad I don't have the kind of money that one of these pieces draws!!

Br. James

[H.Guderian]

there was apparently no 'standard version' to begin with! It looks as if each one was 'a work of art' in its own right, and therefore different from any other example.

Exactly. And with this kind of stuff We have to look at the source, from where it comes that is the most difficult today. Many invented histories etc..but when it comes from the family like this... It's unquestionable
If there is more interest I will add more pictures if I can get them.
Best, George

[BrianK]

At first glance it looks great but on closer inspection it looks new - as if just manufactured. If I was going to shell out 5 figures I'd want to see something that looked like it had some age or resembled another one. "They were all different" and "It came direct from the family" are stories we've heard before.

[Military]

The old adage goes "buy the item, not the seller or the story".

Mil

[der-hase-fee]

Most of the genuine amber editions come in pristine condition, because they got stored away and hardly ever saw daylight.