Germany. The Unique Correspondence Between Artist Adolf Specht & Ah

A grouping of documents (varying sizes, all in extremely fine or better condition) about an artist giving a painting as a present to A.H. It consists of photos, and several letters and postcards received as answers to original letters sent by the painter, Adolf Specht from Frankfurt/Main, culminating in a letter of appreciation sent by A.H. himself.

The letter sent by A.H. measures 199x259mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases. It is dated to Berlin on October 9, 1934 and reads: “You have brought me joy by sending the painting, which was already some time ago. I would like to give my belated thanks. With German greetings!” The letter features a strong signature in black ink.

It all started with a letter from the NSDAP Office of Gau Hessen-Nassau, measuring 220x192mm, extremely fine condition with minor scuffing and two folding creases. It confirms the receipt of a painting by Specht called “Arbeit und Brot” (Labour and Bread) as a present for the Führer. The signature is indecipherable and it is not dated.

Apparently, Specht did not send an accompanying letter with the painting, but instead he sent three letters to different institutions, all on July 20, 1934, one to the Chancellery of the Deputy of the Führer, one to the Propaganda Ministry, and one to the Reich Chancellery.

The answer from the Chancellery of the Deputy of the Führer measures 223x191mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases. It is dated to Berlin on July 24, 1934 and reads: I have forwarded your letter from July 20 to the Private Chancellery A.H. It carries a typewritten signature of Bormann.

The answer from the Propaganda Ministry measures 147x106mm, near mint condition. It is dated to Berlin on July 25, 1934 and reads: Your letter from July 20 concerning the oil painting “Schnitter beim Frühstück” (Harvesters at Breakfast) has been forwarded to the Reich Chancellery.

The answer from the Reich Chancellery measures 147x104mm, mint condition. It is dated to Berlin on July 30, 1934 and reads: Your letter to Dr. Goebbels from July 20 has been forwarded to the Chancellery A.H.

On July 30, 1934 Specht was sent an answer from the Chancellery A.H., measuring 207x296mm, extremely fine condition. It states that Specht’s letter to the Deputy of the Führer dating to July 20 has arrived for processing, that the painting had reached them, but that there had been no accompanying letter, which is why there hadn’t been an answer yet. Specht is informed that the Führer will thank him personally, but that Specht has to be patient, because A.H. is understandably busy. The signature is indecipherable, it could be Kamp or similar.

The grouping also features a postcard from the Propaganda Ministry to Erna Specht, possibly Adolf Specht’s wife, dated to April 17, 1935. It measures 147x104mm, extremely fine condition with some scuffing, and states that her letter from April 9 concerning her request and photos she sent has been forwarded to the Reichs Chamber of Fine Arts.