The founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland has called for the sale of Adolf Hitler's pencil to be withdrawn from auction in Belfast next week.
Oliver Sears, who is the son of a Holocaust survivor, said that "making money out of such material is immoral and unethical".
The silver-plated pencil is one of a number of historical items going under the hammer at Bloomfield Auctions in east Belfast next week.
It is believed to have been given to the former Nazi dictator by his partner Eva Braun as a gift for his 52nd birthday in 1941.
It includes an inscription with the initials "AH" and is expected to sell for up to €92,000.
In the letter, addressed to the Managing Director of Bloomfield Auctions Karl Bennett, Mr Sears explained why he believes the items should be withdrawn.
"The arguments for trading in this material are very thin. There is an abundance of such material in museums around the world and, if there is a place for these items, that is surely where they belong," he wrote.
"However, making money out of such material is immoral and unethical. There is a very good reason why most auction houses refuse to handle this material, including Sotheby's and Christie's. Simply put, this material is tainted beyond any mitigation or redemption.
"There is only one reason to go ahead with the sale and that is to make money, regardless of the circumstances. The very idea that anyone should make money out of the suffering of the millions murdered in the Holocaust is shameful."
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Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Bennett defended his decision to proceed with the sale.
He said that while he "respects those people who may feel offended or may feel hurt by the items that we're selling … I firmly believe that these pieces will end up in serious military collections".
He denied any attempt at profiteering, saying these items are of historical military significance. He also suggested the pencil could be purchased by a "well-known museum".
The sale of Nazi memorabilia is illegal in some European countries, including Germany, Austria and France. However, there is no ban on such sales in the UK or Ireland.
Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee wants to change that and said she intends to introduce a private member’s bill that outlaws the sale of Nazi memorabilia.
"Other countries like Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and Brazil have done similar.
"I think it is a very fitting thing to do because it's absolutely repulsive that anybody should seek to profit from the most horrendous regime in memory," she told Morning Ireland.
