Hitler’s toilet seat looted by US soldier during WWII up for auction
The toilet seat used by Adolf Hitler at the Berghof in Bavaria, Germany (Images: Alexander Historical Auctions)
Aptly described as bizarre memorabilia, the toilet seat used by the infamous dictator Adolf Hitler at his retreat in Bavaria, Germany, is now up for auction.
The World War II lavatory relic is expected to be sold for as high as £15,000 (around $20,500 or P984,000), according to Alexander Historical Auctions, which is peddling the item.
“Offered here is an item guaranteed to be one of the most eye-catching items one could ever add to a collection of World War II relics — the two-piece wooden toilet seat with lid removed by an enterprising G.I. from Adolf Hitler’s bathroom at his retreat, the Berghof in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria,” the Maryland-based auction house said.
The wooden seat, which measures 19 by 16 inches, also comes with a satirical anti-Hitler newspaper clipping and two snapshots of American M.P. Ragnvald C. Borch, the soldier who took the seat home.
Borch, one of the first Americans who entered Berghof, was reportedly told to get what he wanted when the Allied troops first got to the scene, according to Borch’s son as cited by the auction house.
“[Borch] made his way to Hitler’s bedroom, taking a World War I armored vest on display and two oil paintings. He saw the toilet seat and removed it, being asked by another M.P. holding a chandelier: ‘What are you doing with that toilet seat?’ The young M.P. smartly replied: ‘Where do you think Hitler put his ass?” the description read.
He then took it home and the seat remained untouched in the basement of Borch’s family’s home. Now up for auction, the seat is being sold with the book “Hitler’s Mountain,” which mentions the exchange between Borch and another soldier regarding Hitler’s toilet.
“Also included is another original photograph of Borch and the same officer sometime later outside Martin Bormann’s bombed home, a copy of Borch’s service record, and a 2001 New Jersey news article on the history of this incredible relic. This is a one-of-a-kind piece!” Alexander Historical Auctions said.
“While a toilet removed from Hitler’s yacht, the Aviso Grille, gained great notoriety after it turned up in a New Jersey gas station a few years ago, it was one of perhaps ten or twenty on that vessel. This example was from Hitler’s personal bathroom, from as close to a ‘throne’ as the dictator would ever get. One can scarcely imagine the plotting the tyrant undertook while contemplating the world from atop this perch!” it added.
Bidding, which starts at £5,000 (around $6,820 or P328,000) will end on Feb. 8. There have been no bids yet, as of this writing. /ra
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