Description:

JOSEPH MENGELE
(1911 - 1979) Nazi "doctor" who plied his trade at Auschwitz, he was the most brutal and detestable of all the camp doctors. It was Mengele's decision as to whether camp inmates would be used as forced labor or sent directly to the gas chambers, and he as well performed hideous experiments on inmates, especially twins. After the war, Mengele fled to Argentina and Brazil where he avoided capture until his death. Excessively rare war-date A.L.S. sent from Auschwitz, signed "J. Mengele" in return address and in address portion, a postcard, Dec. 6, 1944, just five weeks before he would leave the camp. Mengele sent a postcard, written in pencil, to his wife Irene in Gunzburg. In part: "...I'm still waiting to hear from you. I hope by now you've made a decision when you want to come. Because of the long time it takes for mail to reach me, you have to tell me soon. Christmas is coming fast. Travelling is especially difficult in those days before Christmas! I'm about to start buying furniture for the apartment...I also have to buy a bed for [son] Rolf...Please get back to me quickly and best regards. Yours Butz. Give my regards to everybody...". In the return address area Mengele writes: "J. Mengele Auschwitz O/S K/Z [Concentration Camp] SS Precinct". Beneath appears a most ironic printed slogan: "The Fuhrer only knows struggle, Work and care, We want to help him As well as we can". Near fine.

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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