Martin Luther letter attacking ‘devils incarnate’ to be auctioned

There could hardly be a clearer reminder of Martin Luther’s deep-seated antisemitsm than a letter about to be auctioned off in the US.

Dated September 1, 1543 and written in German to a fellow theologist, the lot, which has a starting price of $250,000 (£194,400), has already drawn three bids since last month.

A translation of the letter provided by the auction house describes Jews as “devils incarnate who curse our Lord” and who “abuse His mother.”

“Although we think of Martin Luther as a reformer, this letter reminds us of his unrepentant antisemitism,” said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction.