Are Reproductions Of A WWII Leader'S Drawing Legal To Sell?

I've spent way too many weekends poking through flea markets and online auctions, so this one hits close to home: whether you can legally sell reproductions of a WWII leader's drawing depends on several things — copyright, local laws about extremist materials, and who actually controls the original image.

First, copyright. If the person who made the drawing died a long time ago, the work may be in the public domain in many countries (lots of places use life+70 years, but some use life+50 or other terms). For someone who died in 1945, for example, many jurisdictions would now consider the work public domain, but you must check the specific country's rules where you plan to sell or distribute. Even when a work is public domain, the museum or owner of a physical piece can have contractual restrictions about reproductions or high-res photos they took. Also, a faithful photographic reproduction of a public-domain two-dimensional work sometimes isn’t protected by new copyright, but institutions still assert rights in certain countries via database or related rights.

Second, extremist-symbols and hate laws matter. In places like Germany, public display or commercial distribution of Nazi symbols and propaganda can be illegal unless it’s clearly for art, education, or documentation. Platforms like Etsy, eBay, or social media may remove listings regardless of legal niceties. Finally, rights of publicity and moral-rights issues vary: some countries protect a person’s image or reputation even after death.

My pragmatic take: verify the copyright term where you’ll sell, check any museum/property restrictions, be mindful of local laws on extremist content, and prefer clear historical/educational framing. If in doubt, get a quick consult from someone local or list on a platform that supports historical items; I’ve ditched listings before because a marketplace or collector flagged them, and it’s not worth the headache.

I get why this question pops up — I once tried to sell a set of old prints and learned the hard way that legality is a tangle of copyright, platform rules, and national law. Start by confirming whether the drawing is truly in the public domain where you plan to sell. Many countries use the creator’s death + 70 years rule, but that’s not universal. If the artist died mid-20th century, there’s a decent chance it’s free to reproduce in some places, but you’ll want to check local copyright registries or simple resources online.

Next, think about the content itself. Some WWII leaders are linked to extremist movements, and several countries bar commercial promotion of those ideologies. Even if copyright is clear, German law and a few others restrict use of Nazi symbols and propaganda; many marketplaces also ban such items or require contextual, educational framing. Also remember provenance: if you photographed an original in a museum, that museum might assert control over photos or require permission for commercial reproduction.

Practically speaking, if you plan to sell digitally, use marketplaces’ help centers to see policy on historical items. Consider labeling the piece as historical or educational and keep good documentation of dates and provenance. If you expect money to flow and it’s borderline, a local legal check or a rights clearance service is worth the cost — I spent hours untangling a similar listing and ended up paying a small fee to clear reproductions, which saved me later takedowns.

I’ve bumped into this exact issue while curating a small online shop of historical prints. The short reality: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. You must check three things — copyright status, local laws about extremist imagery, and any ownership restrictions from museums or collectors.

For copyright, many countries use life+70 years, but the year of death and jurisdiction matter. If the creator’s work is public domain in the buyer’s or seller’s country, reproduction is usually allowed, but some institutions claim rights over photographs or high-quality scans. Separately, laws in places like Germany restrict use of certain WWII symbols and propaganda, and that can affect commercial sales even if copyright has expired. Marketplaces often have their own bans and will remove listings.

So my practical checklist: look up the death date and copyright term, check the place you’ll sell for extremist-material rules, confirm provenance and any reproduction agreements, and keep clear provenance paperwork. If you’re still unsure, a quick consult with someone local saved me time and risk when I sold vintage historical pieces.