How the Irish beat the Nazis: Swastika football program up for auction

A football program emblazoned with a chilling swastika, from a match between Nazi Germany and the Irish Free State, is going on sale at auction for the first time.

The Ireland v. Germany soccer program is expected to fetch up to 500 euro when auctioned by Whytes in Dublin.

Key tags from the H Blocks in the Maze prison and Celtic wood carvings made by republican inmates held at Portlaoise and Long Kesh are also in the historic sale.

Ian Whyte, of Whytes auctioneers, said the set of ten key tags were found by contractors called in to demolish the notorious Maze, which closed in 2000.

"This is the second time we've offered these," he said. "We sold them in 2010 to a man, but he has since died and his son is selling them on."

They are expected to fetch 300 to 500 euro when they go under the hammer.

The Ireland v Germany soccer programme is among the hundreds of unusual lots in the history, literature and collectibles sale hosted by Whytes in Dublin.

Mr. Whyte said the lot would be of interest to sports fans who collect programmes, as well as those with an interest in European history.

"It's quite chilling to see," he said about the swastika. "In the past a similar program fetched up to £800."

Historic military uniforms, decommissioned weapons, documents and a pair of duelling pistols will also be auctioned.

Another highlight is a framed 1960 US election poster for John F. Kennedy, which is expected to fetch between 400 and 600 euro.

The international fixture was staged at Dalymount Park in Dublin on October 17, 1936 - with the 'Football Association of the Irish Free State' defeating Germany.

Notes are scribbled on a team sheet on the day by one of the 28,000 fans who filled the stadium for Ireland's 5 - 2 win.

Video footage of the game can be seen on BritishPathe.com, showing the German football team standing in line on pitch, doing Nazi salutes as they listen to their national anthem.