Lot 427

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Description:

AUSCHWITZ-TYPE CONCENTRATION CAMP METAL "TATTOOING" TOOL AND STAMPS
World War II-era cased tattoo embosser made by a German manufacturer of medical, surgical, and dental equipment, Jetter & Scheerer. The 10.25 in. long handheld tool is stamped with the Jetter & Scheerer name and the Aesculapius emblem, along with a later engraved inventory number. This tool in in its original wooden 11.25 x 4 inch hinged box with Jetter & Scheere metal logo within, along with 18 number and letter stamps. The stamps are made with chisel-shaped pins, and most are marked on the reverse. The pins are firmly attached to 3/4 x 3/8 in. metal bases which slide on a plate into the embossing tool. The tool would press the pins into the item to be "marked", and dye would be poured into the cavities to permanently mark the object. Typically these tools were used on cattle, swine, etc. However, it is widely known that exactly this type of tool was used to tattoo inmates at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex, the only camps to apply identifying tattoos to their inmates in this manner. At first, the tattoos were applied to the left side of the chest, and later to the left forearm. The initial piercing would be followed by the application of ink rubbed into the bleeding wound. The use of punched tattoos, as represented here, was eventually found to be inefficient, and was later replaced by a single heated needle apparatus. Similar examples were discovered in 2014, and are now on display at Auschwitz. The origin of this particular well-used example is unknown, but it was purchased at auction in the United States. Worthy of museum display.

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July 14, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000