Bookmark linked to Hitler recovered by Feds

SEATTLE — An 18-carat gold bookmark reportedly owned by Adolf Hitler and stolen from an auction house in Spain six years ago has been recovered by American authorities in an undercover operation halfway around the world.

Christian Popescu, a Romanian national, was arrested Tuesday outside a Bellevue Starbucks after trying to sell the bookmark to an undercover agent for $100,000, according to papers filed in U.S. District Court.

Federal prosecutors said the bookmark was among several items taken in an auction-house heist in Madrid, Spain, six years ago. At the time, some antiquities experts questioned its authenticity.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The bookmark was reportedly given to Hitler by his longtime mistress, Eva Braun, to console him after German forces surrendered at Stalingrad. The bookmark is engraved with a portrait of Hitler as well as an imperial eagle and swastika.

“My Adolf, don’t worry,” it reads, adding that the loss was “only an inconvenience that will not break your certainty of victory. My love for you will be eternal, as our Reich will be eternal. Always yours, Eva. 3-2-43.”

Regardless of its authenticity, federal agents said its theft broke the law.

“Artifacts of historical significance are not souvenirs for illegal sale to the highest bidder,” Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s office of investigations in Seattle, said in a statement.

Popescu made an initial appearance in federal court Wednesday, where he was represented by a public defender who left without speaking to reporters.

A man who described himself as Popescu’s roommate called the undercover operation a “setup.”

“I don’t think Christian is involved in anything. He doesn’t have any prior record. He’s a business owner, a clean person,” the man, Kleon Tona, said outside the courthouse. “We came over as normal people. Just looking for a better life, not a life to do things like this. I think it’s a big setup.”

Tona said Popescu immigrated to the Seattle area about 12 years ago.

Popescu is being held on one count of sale or receipt of stolen goods. A detention hearing was set for Monday.

According to charging papers, ICE learned in August that Popescu was trying to sell the bookmark in the Seattle area. Through an informant, agents learned that Popescu had shopped the bookmark in the area three years ago, and would pay a 10 percent commission if the informant could find a buyer.

The informant helped arrange the sale to an undercover agent, the papers said. Popescu allegedly wanted $150,000 for the bookmark, but settled for $100,000.

Spanish authorities estimated its value at $13,000 to $17,000, court documents say.

U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan said agents are still investigating how the bookmark arrived in Seattle. Five people were detained in Tuesday’s operation, but only Popescu was arrested and charged, he said.

In 2002, three thieves — described as Eastern European — walked into the Duran Subastas auction house in Madrid during work hours and stole the bookmark along with several pieces of jewelry from a showcase.

The bookmark’s owner at the time was described as Brazilian.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds could owe South County Fire nearly $6M for remainder of 2025 services

The city has paused payments to the authority while the two parties determine financial responsibility for the next seven months of service.

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State testing finds elevated levels of lead in Edmonds School District water

Eleven of the district’s 34 schools have been tested. About one-fifth of water outlets had lead levels of 5 or more parts per billion.

A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255 apartment complex for seniors 55+, on Jan. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Washington. (Andy Bronson/The Herald)
Washington AG files complaint against owners of 3 SnoCo apartment complexes

The complaint alleges that owners engaged in unfair and deceptive practices. Vintage Housing disputes the allegations.

Stolen car crashes into Everett Mexican restaurant

Contrary to social media rumors, unmarked police units had nothing to do with a raid by ICE agents.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
Providence Everett issues layoff notices to over 100 nursing assistants

The layoffs are part of a larger restructuring by Providence, affecting 600 positions across seven states, Providence announced Thursday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.