A DUSSELDORF PORTFOLIO IS PRESENTED TO HITLER
A large, custom-made presentation folder which once held a portfolio of images presented by the Gauleiter of Duesseldorf to Adolf Hitler at Christmas, 1943. The portfolio measures 28" x 18" fully opened with hinged leaves which close to secure the contents. The covers are constructed with an inner field of blue leather with borders of red leather trimmed with gilt bands and swastikas. Gilt lettering of the cover reads: "Duesseldorfer Kunstmappe 1943". Within, Gauleiter FRIEDRICH KARL FLORIAN (1894-1975) inscribed the gift: "My Fuhrer as Christmas greetings, in thankfulness and trust. War year 1943 Florian Gauleiter". The case is worn at extremities, with small tears ends of spins, still entirely presentable. An aviator during World War I, Florian joined the Freikorps post-war and by 1929 was Gauleiter of Dusseldorf, where he remained in power until war's end. A de-nazification court sentenced him to six years in prison. Undoubtedly, this folder once held beautiful images of this Westphalian city on the Rhine, but the fact was that the city was a major target. By May, 1945 a total of 243 air raids had destroyed 86,500 dwellings and 51 percent of the city lay in ruins.