Several of the badges were described as “genuine” Hitler Youth badges with “pin intact”.
In a section of the catalogue billed as military medals and militaria from Germany, items up for auction included Third Reich panzer tank badges and a Wehrmacht entourage badge in bronze.
The inclusion of Nazi items was described as “disgusting” by Dvir Abramovich of the Anti-Defamation Commission — a Jewish group that aims to fight anti-Semitism.
“These hateful materials have no place in our nation and I don’t think any auction house should sell items that glorify the extermination of millions of people — not just Jews. Items that promote racism and white supremacy,” Dr Abramovich said.
He said the auction was a sign of the “huge and lucrative trade in Nazi memorabilia which is a global multi-million-dollar industry”, and out of step with Australia’s values of respect and multiculturalism.
Auction house pulls items, changes policy
The auction house later withdrew the items from the sale catalogue and Downies’ chief executive Sally Spaul said in a statement that Downies would no longer accept Third Reich material for sale.
“In this instance the material, although only a small section in the overall sale, does reflect a very dark era in history,” Ms Spaul said.
“As with all our consignments, it has been catalogued on a purely factual basis, and has not received promotion in any way.
“That said, we are a family-owned and operated company with a strong set of values which guide the way we do business.
“We have therefore taken the decision to withdraw these items from the current sale and have reviewed our policy to no longer take consignments of Third Reich material.”
The new policy matches the position held by major auction house Sotheby’s.
Sotheby’s Australia chairman Geoffrey Smith said the auction house had a strict policy, enforced worldwide, banning the sale of any Nazi memorabilia.
‘If you ignore something, you empower it’
Dr Abramovich commended Downies for listening to his concerns and “doing the right thing” in pulling the items from sale.
“This is a victory for the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust,” he said.
“I also welcome Ms Spaul’s unequivocal assurance to me that Downies will not be posting and offering Nazi memorabilia for sale in the future.
“These items of evil should never mind a home in our nation, and no company should profit from blood money.
“I call on all other companies to follow suit, and urge the state and federal governments to consider regulating this perverse and sickening trade.”
Dr Abramovich said Nazi items were sometimes listed for sale on online auction sites, and his group was working with internet retailers such as eBay and Gumtree to prevent that.
“If you ignore something, you empower it,” he said.
Dr Abramovich said the sale of such items was especially dangerous at a time when anti-Semites, neo-Nazis and white supremacists were “emboldened and energised”.
“By allowing these items to be sold we are all contributing to the social acceptability of racism and bigotry.”