Print of painting allegedly by Adolf Hitler raises eyebrows at Edmonton mallEDMONTON (CP) — A man running a kiosk in an Edmonton mall is selling what he says is a framed print of a painting by Adolf Hitler.
Seller John Adam says the piece, entitled The Munich Square, was painted by Hitler around 1913.
It sits nestled among pop culture collectibles, books and china at the week-long antiques and collectibles show and sale at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre.
“People don’t say much about it — they’re just surprised that he could paint,” said Adam.
Adam, who collects as a retirement hobby, said he bought the print as a curiosity on EBay 10 years ago.
The picture is dated to 20 years before Hitler’s rise to power as Germany’s head of state, which eventually led to the genocide of six million Jews and the deaths of millions more in the Second World War.
One shopper walking by said she only noticed the print because of the sign that states its original was painted by Hitler.
“I’m not overly offended by it myself, but I wonder about the appropriateness of selling it in a public place like this,” said Sandy Fink.
“I imagine it’s certainly going to be upsetting to some people.”
In 2000, displays of Nazi memorabilia were banned from the shopping centre following a complaint from a customer who spotted Nazi-related items for sale at an antique fair.
Administration officials at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre said Wednesday they haven’t received any complaints about the print.
“Usually, if there’s something that bothers someone, we hear about it,” said Deborah Rurka, adding that mall officials will look into whether the print should be removed.
Officials at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton also said Wednesday that they will look into the print.
(Edmonton Sun)
― Huk-L (Huk-L), Friday, 14 July 2006 13:47 (nineteen years ago)