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Nazi memorabilia auctioneer donates to Holocaust charity

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The auction house which made thousands of pounds selling Hitler's 50th birthday present is to change its policy on selling Holocaust items and make a donation to the Holocaust Education Trust.

Last week, eight MPs supported an Early Day Motion, deploring the sale at Dreweatts auction house in Bristol of a silver tray presented to Hitler, which fetched £34,000. It made over £6,000 in commission for the auctioneers, which also sold Holocaust victims' belongings among dozens of bizarre Nazi memorabilia items in its sale on March 6.

Dreweatts made the u-turn following contact from Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, who said: "I was disturbed by news a fortnight ago that Dreweatts were selling Holocaust victims' possessions. I contacted Dreweatts to convey my disgust at this sale item, disgust which I know is shared by many of my constituents.

"I also welcome the news that the company has accepted my suggestion that Dreweatts make a donation to the excellent Holocaust Education Trust, from the profit it received from the auction. I appreciate this act of goodwill and hope that Dreweatts change of heart will set an example to other auction houses in Britain that this type of business is unacceptable," Mr Williams said.

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