Nazi war memorabilia sold at Armitage Auctions in Launceston Tasmania, including swastika medals

Nazi war memorabilia including medals with swastikas on them to be sold at auction as Jewish community calls for an end to the ‘perverse’ deals

  • Armitage Auctions in Tasmania will put German war artefacts up for bidding
  • Auction house has defended decision to carry on with sales of Nazi items
  • Jewish Anti-Defamation Commission said they are shocked at the saleĀ 

Several items of Nazi memorabilia are set to go under the hammer in Tasmania, despite calls from the Jewish community to end the ‘perverse’ sales.

Armitage Auctions in Launceston will on Wednesday put German war artefacts up for bidding including medals with swastikas.

The auction house, which came under fire for selling similar items in August, has defended their decision to carry on with such sales.

Several items of Nazi memorabilia are set to go under the hammer in Tasmania, despite calls from the Jewish community to end the ‘perverse’ sales. Pictured: A copy of ‘Mein Kampf’ for sale at the auction

‘We can understand that the sight of some of these items could be upsetting, and to those affected we are sorry,’ auctioneer Neil O’Brien said.

‘Whilst we obviously condemn what happened in the war along with similar atrocities throughout history, people are interested in artefacts associated with these events.’

The auction house has sold various war memorabilia for 30 years, Mr O’Brien said.

‘There are items other than German war memorabilia that we offer for sale which offend some people but are legal to sell,’ he added.

‘It puts us in a difficult position to choose outside the boundaries of the law what is ethical to sell and what is not.’

But chairman of Jewish group Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, said he was shocked to see Nazi items again put up for auction.

Armitage Auctions in Launceston will on Wednesday put German war artefacts up for bidding including medals with swastikas. Pictured: A medal with a swastika on it for sale at the auction

Armitage Auctions in Launceston will on Wednesday put German war artefacts up for bidding including medals with swastikas. Pictured: A medal with a swastika on it for sale at the auction

‘It is perverse and twisted that hate and death have a price tag and are on sale,’ he said.

‘We must all remember that these objects embolden extremists and bigots..’

The state Liberal government has strongly urged any individuals to ‘think twice’ about selling Nazi memorabilia but has ruled out changing any laws.

‘The display, promotion and sale of Nazi and Holocaust memorabilia, although not illegal, is often considered offensive, distressing and a breach of community and moral standards,’ Attorney-General Elise Archer said in a statement.

‘Following a review of other national and international jurisdictions (the government) is not considering any regulatory action at this time.’

Chairman of Jewish group Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, said he was shocked to see Nazi items again put up for auction. Pictured: An SS ring for sale at the auction

Chairman of Jewish group Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, said he was shocked to see Nazi items again put up for auction. Pictured: An SS ring for sale at the auction

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