Heinrich Hoffmann (1885 – 1957) served as Adolf Hitler’s official photographer from when Hitler took control of the Nazi party in 1921 until his death in 1945. Hoffmann estimates he took over half a million photographs of Hitler over the course of his career. His portraits were the most significant source of Nazi propaganda materials published over the course of close to 25 years, everything from postcards, posters, magazines, postage stamps and picture books. Click on eachtheme below to see a complete photo albumdevoted to that particular event or topic.
This was Heinrich Hoffmann’s first best-selling photo book on Adolf Hitler. The first edition of Hitler wie ihn keiner kennt (The Hitler Nobody Knows) was published in early March of 1932. By the year 1940, 420,000 copies had been printed and circulated all around the world. The book was to become one of numerous picture books on Hitler published by Hoffmann. Hitler wie ihn keiner kennt introduced the future Chancellor to the German people as a hard worker, non-smoker, teetotaler, and a popular and relatable man of the people adored by animals and children. This book was also successful at restoring Hitler’s reputation after the recent scandal surrounding Geli Raubal’s death the previous September. Hoffmann played a critical role in the shaping Hitler’s public image, as it was through Hoffmann’s camera lens that the world saw Hitler.
“He single-handedly shaped the personal side of Hitler’s ‘Führer Image’.”
-Heike B Gortemaker, German historian
When winter makes roads impassible for automobiles, the Führer travels by train. Otherwise, Hitler always travels in his own car, a large Mercedes, which brings him safetly to his destination and saves time.“Here, too, Hoffmann gives him no peace.” Adolf Hitler relaxing with his German Shepherd Muckl in Berchtesgaden in 1931. Hitler owned ‘Muck’ from 1928 until January of 1935 when he was poisoned by Communists. Muck was very unusual in that he was black with two brown spots over his eyes and had brown feet, and was not a full German Shepherd.Hitler drinking tea and water at Winifred Wagner’s home. As a consequence of his mother’s early death from cancer at age 47, Hitler developed a great fear of getting cancer himself. Believing that eating meat, drinking alcohol, and smoking were all major contributors to developing cancer, he abstained from all of these indulgences. As chancellor of Germany he led one of the largest anti-smoking campaigns of that time and always encouraged those around him to quit. Smoking was even expressly forbidden in Hitler’s office at the Brown House.This is an incredible bonus photo that can definitely be paired as taken at the same time and place as the one above, at Winifred Wagner’s ‘Haus Wahnfried’ in Bayreuth in 1931.Adolf Hitler walking out on the pier in the seaside resort of Heiligendamm during a family outing to the Baltic Sea. He was accompanied by his half-sister Angela and niece Geli Raubal on this day.Adolf Hitler with his German Shepherd Blonda in Berchtesgaden in 1931. Hitler adored the loyalty and obedience of this particular breed and later had two more German Shepards named Bella that he acquired in 1942 and the famous Blondi that he got as a puppy in 1941.Adolf Hitler reading a newspaper during his imprisonment in the Landsberg Prison in 1924. Hoffmann actually smuggled his camera in during one of his many visits to the prison.Adolf Hitler, who is a guest of Winifred Wagner in Bayreuth on the evening of June 6, 1931, sits for portrait photos with her two sons, Wolfgang and Wieland Wagner. Not only did the Wagner home in Bayreuth became Hitler’s favorite retreat, he even had his own separate accommodation in the grounds known as the Führerbau.This appealing 1931 photograph was also later reproduced on postcards after Hitler became Chancellor. Hoffmann often showed Hitler in settings that readers could relate to, like this common looking middle class home.Adolf Hitler relaxing at his mountain retreat Haus Wachenfeld reading a newspaper.Another 1931 photograph later reproduced on postcards. I believe that is Adolf Hitler’s niece/lover Geli Raubal in the background. The postcard read “Chancellor Adolf Hitler in his beloved mountains”.This photograph was also featured in the collectible picture album ‘Deutschland erwacht. Werden, kampf und sieg der NSDAP’ with the caption “Two workers for Germany shake hands.” Hitler loved to travel by car around Germany to have intimate meet and greet encounters with the German public.Adolf Hitler gives a speech in the Landwirtschaftshalle (Agriculture Hall) in Jever in front of 4600 listeners on 12 May 1931. “I have preached in Germany for thirteen years. Countless millions know our program.” The hands of the Führer organize his speech. This picture captures Hitler’s hands as he speaks of the unity of the National Socialist and socialist ideas.To Germans who found Hitler’s bombast repellent, images like these, published in Heinrich Hoffmann’s booklet, projected a reassuring image of reasonableness.Every eye is on Hitler as he meets with SA men and many other admirers in late December 1931 in the basement casino and restaurant at the Braunes Haus in Munich.
I love history and have always been infatuated with the design and style of the 1920’s. Unfortunately I can’t time travel back to this era, so I live vicariously through books, movies and photos.
[…] in Heinrich Hoffmann’s 1932 photo book, “Hitler wie ihn Keiner Kennt” (“The Hitler Nobody Knows“). This is most likely the Mercedes-Benz 16/50 PS that Helene Bechstein gifted to Hitler in […]
[…] iron swastikas on the door. This photograph was featured in Heinrich Hoffmann’s book, “Hitler wie ihn keiner kennt” (Hitler as No-one Knows Him), […]
[…] and the Nazi Party as a significant mass phenomenon. Hoffmann’s first picture book, ‘The Hitler Nobody Knows’ (1932) was integral to Hitler’s early attempts to manipulate and control his public image. […]
[…] Heinrich Hoffmann’s first best-selling photo book on Adolf Hitler. The first edition of Hitler wie ihn keiner kennt (The Hitler Nobody Knows) was published in early March of 1932. By the year 1940, 420,000 […]
And I hope you’re doing well. My career has taken downward turn but I am sure it will turn out alright. I’ve followed you since the early 2010s on Tumblr. Through the decades I hope you’ve been well 🙂
Oh wow the resolution is so much better here, but when I zoom in on this clearer photo I can actually see where Wolfgang’s knee and elbow were later edited out of this pic, zoom in on the plates on the table and it’s easy to see:
I’ve seen many other photos of Hitler that were edited to either add or remove people or objects, usually for postcards or magazine publication (like this example) but many to remove people that he later had a falling out with (Röhm being the best example).
Thank you for following me for so long, I really appreciate your support for my work and research through the years!!! 🤗
Heinrich Hoffmann Photo Gallery 
