Hitler's Treaty Signing Desk Set To Be Auctioned

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How is it possible that Einstein's letter to Roosevelt is not already in the Smithsonian?!?

Dagny Taggart of OH 12:03PM November 16, 2011

Obama is going to want that one.

RHO of IL 11:56AM November 16, 2011

To those complaining about Lt. McConn taking this blotter: 1) it was not considered "art stolen by the Nazis" at the time of reference. 2) no less than General George Patton made public speeches to soldiers in the US Army telling them they were "victors" and they were entitled to take anything they saw that they wanted... 3) Consider how the Soviets put Nazi spoils to rot at Lennin's Tomb and be glad some artifacts are preserved for posterity.

Homer N. Jethro of IL 11:55AM November 16, 2011

This lieutenant was supposed to guard this property, and instead took it home with him. This desk set has great historical value, and should be returned to the German Government, not sold to enrich someone who took is as a souvenir.
WW II was the most destructive series of acts in the History of the human race, in which perhaps 50,000,000 people lost their lives. But unlike the revulsion against war which swept the world after WW I, the Winners in WW II thought of themselves, after all the destruction, as great guys who had been engaged in a great good--because of he Concentration Camps. But everyone who took part in the WW II holacaust--on both sides--was culpable. Even the Heroies were villains, too.
Motives, not actions, separated us from them. Who firebombed Dresden and Tokyo?

Randolph Phillips of GA 11:48AM November 16, 2011

Since this desk set was property this soldier was assigned to guard from theft, and instead he took it home with him, I think it should be returned to the German Government, instead of sold. It is a significant historical item, and part of Germany's heritage, not a WWII lieutenant's collectible.

Randolph Phillips of GA 11:28AM November 16, 2011

I see a new purchase for the Obama family with taxpayer dollars.

Lib Hater of VA 11:14AM November 16, 2011

All of the people complaining that this thing was "stolen" should be grateful that Lt. McConn had the foresight to liberate it and preserve it for posterity. Think about it in the context of the times - all that Nazi stuff was being burned and discarded - metals were scarce in Germany at the time - it would likely have been melted down for scrap.
Lt. McConn put his life on the line - it is a small token to pay to allow him to take home what, at the time, was just a piece of junk.

Dale of IL 11:02AM November 16, 2011

P NEDDERMAYER - I disagree. Putting aside the statute of limitations, I believe this man grabbed a memento that was interesting and of little value at the time. I also pose to you that he owes nothing to the USA or the Jewish people. The USA did not prevent the spoils of war to be taken in those days and the Jewish reparations argument doesn't hold either as this is not some of the well known I'll gotten Jewish gold or a painting or other work of art but the desk of a monster - and this guy went to war and fought, risked his life and survived but of course was scarred by his experience and your reasoning would deprive him of this rather than paying the debt of gratitude he is owed by generations of people. I'm Jewish with a direct interest in this history so I write you from a position as not an uninterested party.

Bob Gunn of CA 10:40AM November 16, 2011

Finders' Keepers'. Or,... Nice Score!

Descendant of Revolutionaries of FL 10:18AM November 16, 2011

"The desk set has been owned since the war by American John McConn who, as an Army lieutenant, was assigned to guard art discovered at Hitler's offices at the end of the war."
If the above statement is true, then Lt. John McConn did not do his duty; but instead stole the desk set. That "piece of art" belongs to the US Government and should be sold to anyone crazy enough to spend $500,000 for it. The money should go to the US military, or the Jewish people.

P Neddermeyer of NY 9:46AM November 16, 2011