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Original 1936 Berlin Olympic Games photographic souvenir and visitor book, edited by Heinrich Hoffmann and published by Verlag Heinrich Hoffmann, Berlin for the period of the XI Olympic Games.
This substantial illustrated softcover volume was produced for visitors to Berlin during the 1936 Summer Olympics and presents an extensive photographic portrait of Germany\'s capital during one of the most historically significant Olympic Games of the 20th century.
Published in German, English, French and Spanish, the multilingual format clearly reflects its intended international audience. Institutional and sale records identify the publication as Heinrich Hoffmann\'s Berlin, published in 1936 and richly illustrated throughout with period photographs.
The striking original front cover features the monumental “BERLIN” title, the famous Brandenburg Gate Quadriga, and the five colored Olympic rings, creating one of the most recognizable designs associated with 1936 Berlin Olympic souvenir publications.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The 1936 Berlin Olympics were used to present an idealized image of Berlin and Germany to the enormous international audience visiting for the Games. This publication is an excellent surviving example of that carefully constructed visual presentation.
Rather than being merely a sporting results book, it is a large-format photographic portrait of Berlin, showing the city, monumental architecture, government buildings, infrastructure, recreation, cultural attractions and Olympic facilities.
The book was edited by Heinrich Hoffmann, one of the most important German photographers and photographic publishers of the period. Hoffmann was closely associated with the political leadership of Germany and played a major role in shaping the visual imagery presented by the regime.
The publication therefore has strong crossover appeal to collectors of:
1936 Berlin Olympics memorabilia, Olympic history, German photographic books, Heinrich Hoffmann publications, Third Reich-era ephemera, propaganda history, Berlin history and pre-WWII German material.
The exact edition is documented in institutional collections and has appeared at specialist sale. An exact copy sold in 2025 for $297 after 25 offers, despite having tape covering the front wrapper, demonstrating unusually strong collector demand for this publication.
PUBLICATION DETAILS
Title: Berlin
Editor: Heinrich Hoffmann
Publisher: Verlag Heinrich Hoffmann, Berlin
Date: 1936
Event: XI Olympic Games / Berlin Summer Olympics
Format: Original illustrated softcover photographic book
Languages: German, English, French and Spanish
Approximate size: 8 1/4\" × 10 1/4\"
Illustrations: Extensively illustrated throughout with period black-and-white photographs
Published page count: Approximately 126 pages
CONDITION
Good original condition overall for a fragile large-format publication dating from 1936.
The majority of the interior pages remain very good, clean and highly displayable, with the photographic reproductions retaining strong detail and contrast.
The greatest wear is concentrated on the front and rear covers and the first several interior pages.
The front cover shows noticeable age and use including surface rubbing, numerous fine scratches and handling marks, age toning, scattered discoloration/spotting, edge wear and several creases. The upper-left corner shows bumping/creasing and there is localized wear with a small irregular paper loss/tear along the left/spine edge.
The lower corners and edges show additional rubbing and handling wear.
The back cover and first several interior pages show small tears, staining and localized age-related damage, as visible in the photographs.
Importantly, the spine remains in good condition, and the majority of the interior content presents considerably better than the outer wrappers.
The colorful Olympic-ring cover design remains complete and visually strong, with the large BERLIN title and Brandenburg Gate imagery retaining excellent display appeal.
Please examine all high-resolution photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Guaranteed original 1936 period publication.
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Item Berlin Summer Olympics / XI OlympiadCountry of OriginGermanyCityBerlinPublication TypePhotographic Souvenir / Visitor BookTitleBerlinEditorHeinrich HoffmannPublisherVerlag Heinrich HoffmannLanguageGerman / English / French / SpanishVintageYesEra1930sHistorical PeriodThird Reich Era / Pre-WWIISubjectBerlin / 1936 Olympic 8 1/4\" × 10 1/4\"GradeGoodModified ItemNoOfficially LicensedLeave blank / Not SpecifiedPlayerNot ApplicableTeamNot Applicable
