Description
The Deluxe Birthday Edition of Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, recovered in Germany by an American service member in 1945.
Thick octavo, [12], [13]-705pp, [28pp advertisements]. Blue morocco, title in gilt over red morocco label, raised bands with decorative gilt compartments. Sword in gilt on front cover, top edge gilt. Frontispiece portrait opposite title page. Heavy rubbing to spine, edges and text block. Lacking publisher’s slipcase. (Pastore, 022). Inscribed on the half-title: “This copy was picked up in Bad Godesberg in our drive over Germany. Robert F. Stampfli. 3-15-45.”
The Hitler Birthday Edition was published in 1939 to commemorate the 50th birthday of Adolf Hitler. It is also known as the 5-Millionth Edition since it commemorates the 5-Million copies of Mein Kampf in print. It was issued with a blue paper board slipcase, which is missing here. An identical birthday edition was printed in 1939 in red cloth, in slipcase, with similar gilt decorative illustrations.
