This is a set of eight tattoo stamps, similar to those used to mark cattle. They are made of steel with slightly coarse spikes which draw a number. They are dipped in indelible ink before driving them into the flesh.
Except that these tampons were not used on a farm. But at the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp, during World War II, to tattoo prisoners with a number on the left forearm. Number that had to be learned by heart in German instead of his name.
Památník obětí šóa Jad vašem protestuje proti internetové aukci inkoustových značkovačů z Osvětimi. Jeruzalémský ksindl Meir Tzolman tvrdí, že chce “zvýšit povědomí”. K tomu jsou muzea, nikoliv úchyl, co si koupí sadu jehel, kterou nacisté značkovali lidské bytosti. pic.twitter.com/3S0UgEWYxs
– Jakub Szántó (@JakubSzanto) November 3, 2021
These tattoos have become one of the most terrible symbols of the Holocaust, six million Jews murdered across Europe by the regime of Adolf Hitler. Of which 1.1 million at Auschwitz.
Tzolman’s auction house was selling its lot for a private collector. Along with the tampons there was also the instruction manual supplied to the Nazis by the manufacturer, Aesculap. Describing it as an extremely rare coin, she had estimated it to be between 26,000 and 35,000 euros, from which she was to take a 25% commission.
The sale, scheduled for November 9, has sparked outrage, especially among Jewish authorities and Holocaust survivors who are on trial “morally unacceptable”. The European Jewish Association (EJA) wrote to Justice Minister Gideon Saarc asking him to prevent a “humiliation done to victims“You cannot trade such sensitive items, says Rabbi Menahem Margolin,” because it encourages the sale and even counterfeiting of Nazi memorabilia. There is no law in Israel that regulates these practices.
Yad Vashem condemns auction of Auschwitz tattoo machine – Israel News – https://t.co/8Ac3opufVq https://t.co/t5MsFeKQlc
– Dani Dayan (@AmbDaniDayan) November 3, 2021
For Dani Dayan, president of Yad Vashem, the global Holocaust memorial, it is obvious: “the only place of these historical objects“is in a museum. They are not intended to end up in the hands of a private owner but are intended to serve as a testimony for researchers and the general public.
According to the auction house there are only two other sets of such tattoo devices in the world. They are kept at the St. Petersburg Military Medicine Museum and the Auschwitz Museum.
The sale is now suspended after a decision by a Tel Aviv court, seized by organizations helping Holocaust survivors. The Tzolman House has not commented on this decision. But earlier this week auctioneer Meir Tzolman recalled that he himself was the grandson of Holocaust survivors. Explaining, without convincing, that the sale was a way of ensuring that the parts would arrive between “good hands”, that several buyers were very interested and that they pledged to donate it to a museum.
Jewish leaders livid over sale of Nazi prisoner stamps – How can it be that the world is about to mark the anniversary of Kristallnacht – Night of Broken Glass – yet Tzolman’s Auction is looking to profit from the sale of stamps used by Nazis? one official says. | Israel H … pic.twitter.com/nVtGyCYEJb
– HonestlyConcerned (@HonestlyConcern) November 2, 2021
“I am the last to underestimate or diminish the value of the Holocaust“He told Army Radio, according to The Times of Israel.” I want to make sure the object gets into the right hands and doesn’t disappear from the pages of history.
For the moment the sale is suspended, not canceled. The hearing to be decided will be held on November 16.