Popularity of World War II and Nazi memorabilia creates dilemma for auction houses

Day by day, the heroes who served during World War II are passing away. As they do, their WW2 keepsakes and militaria are changing hands, being passed on to survivors who may choose to sell those relics. Among the items turning up at military collectibles auctions are items from Nazi Germany: Nazi flags, medals, pins, uniforms, weapons, and even armbands Jews were forced to wear. For some, this buying and selling raises ethical questions. For others it's a matter of collecting a piece of history. Auctioneer Kevin Smith reveals that when K.D. Smith Auctions in Allentown held a sale of WWII militaria hits to the sale's online listing were "astronomical."

Lehigh Valley, PA Local News - lehighvalleylive.com

 

Here's a question:

If a Roman broadsword or helmet were being sold at auction, would there be "ethical questions" about the sale?

Personally, I think not.

And yet, let's look back in time and think about all the nasty things done by Roman centurions during the time of the Roman Empire. They (like just about every army that ever existed) committed the most heinous crimes imaginable. While those crimes are not forgotten, the buying a selling of Roman military artifacts appears to raise no ethical questions that I am aware of.

I don't view this as hypocrisy, but merely as a function of the passage of time.

 

That is a very good question and example. How about confederate relics and items from US History?

 

Some people prefer that we take our confederate, nazi items and hide them like it never happened. I was at a show and displayed a captured nazi flag autographed by an American unit. The vets loved it and one narrow minded girl hated it and thought it should be destroyed and people like her are out there and believe thats what should happen. But, remember history has a way of repeating when all is forgotten. I don't believe in dictatorships or fascists. But I do believe in preserving history.

 

Good example of what occurs here regularly. Ignorance is a terrible thing. Even the evil things in the US history need to be remembered so we do not repeat history. Totally agree. The German people have the Nazi history shadowing them even today and not only should they be the ones being held accountable for what was done but all of us as human beings also since it could happen anywhere.

 

Whilest I agree with you Lou, the American perception is that the Confederacy represents slavery which is the example I was using.

 

Yes, there are knuckleheads out there. Always has been, always will be. I'm sure they can make their own Nazi flags, they don't need to buy them at auction.

Nazi Holocaust vs. Confederate Slavery. Wow. There's a whole other thread just waiting to happen . Especially since slave labour was one element of the holocaust.