Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Alfred Jodl Autograph Note Signed to Hans Frank on German Civil Law at

Lot #7169
Alfred Jodl Autograph Note Signed to Hans Frank on German Civil Law at Nuremberg, with Frank's Handwritten Reply

Awaiting judgment at Nuremberg, Alfred Jodl asks Hans Frank an obscure question of German civil law

Estimate: $800+

The 30 Minute Rule begins November 19 at 7:00 PM EST. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By November 19 at 6:00 PM EST To Participate After 6:00 PM EST

Server Time: 10/23/2026 11:59:05 AM EDT
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid
Share:  

Description

Awaiting judgment at Nuremberg, Alfred Jodl asks Hans Frank an obscure question of German civil law

ANS in pencil, in German, signed at the head, “Jodl,” and initialed at the conclusion, "J.," one page, 8 x 6.5, no date but circa 1945–1946. Handwritten letter to Dr. Hans Frank, in full (translated): "Can you answer for me the following question (thanks in advance): Can a married woman, according to the last valid edition of the civil law code published in Germany, set up any kind of bank account, without permission or full powers from her husband?"

Below, Frank replies: "In principle: No. But with the assistance of the court (discretionary jurisdiction) the necessary authorization can be replaced by Court-Order." In fine condition.

An unusual glimpse of daily life among the defendants at Nuremberg, this brief exchange finds Alfred Jodl turning to Hans Frank—Hitler’s former legal adviser and Governor-General of occupied Poland—for an opinion on an obscure point of German civil law. The mundane nature of the question is striking given the circumstances: both men were then standing trial before the International Military Tribunal on grave charges arising from the Nazi regime and the war. Frank was ultimately convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, while Jodl was convicted on all four counts against him; both were sentenced to death and hanged at Nuremberg on October 16, 1946.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: World War II
  • Dates:
    Starts:
    10/23/2026
    Ends:
    11/19/2026





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for (inquire for price)

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.

Third-party authentication service applies only to signatures and handwriting, and does not cover the addition of sketches, artwork, musical quotations, etc.