Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
How Did Hitler's Personalized Silverware End Up In NYC?
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 19, 2012
Modified Jan 29, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 19, 2012
Modified Jan 29, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The cutlery above—which include the monogram "AH"—were given to Adolf Hitler as part of a three thousand piece dinner service presented to him to honor his 50th birthday in 1939. The set was split throughout his homes in Munich and Berlin, and these are from his residence at Berchtesgaden—Hitler spent more time at the Berghof than anywhere else during World War II. So how did they end up in the hands of a NY financier, and eventually part of an upcoming exhibit at the New York Historical Society?
Berchtesgaden, which was the most widely known of Hitler's headquarters, was bombed by the Allies in 1945, first by the Royal Air Force and then by American air forces. A task force of American soldiers explored the bombed house a week after the attack, where they found these utensils as well as tableware and other items. One of the soldiers then gave this flatware to NY financier Carl M. Loeb, who was a German-Jewish immigrant.
This silverware will be on display at the NY Historical Society (NYHS) starting May 4th, as part of "Stories in Sterling: Four Centuries of Silver in New York." The exhibition features 150 of NYHS's "most aesthetically and historically compelling pieces, ranging from simple spoons to extravagant trophies, culled from a trove of over 2,500 objects." We suppose that means they won't have the Hitler floor rug as part of it then.
Tagged
adolf hitler
cutlery
hitler
new-york historical society
silverware
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
What do you see when you record the whole of the boroughs?
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 5, 2026
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
It's a busy month at the branches.
By
Alec Hamilton
Arts & Entertainment
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
It's a busy month at the branches.
By
Alec Hamilton
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
By
Hank Shteamer
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .