Lot 156

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Description:

One of the most unforgettable images we've encountered, an original 3.5 x 2.5 in. photo of the ornate and beautiful Troppau Synagogue as it burns to the ground after being torched by fanatical Germans on "Kristallnacht", Nov. 10, 1938. The photo shows flames totally engulfing the beautiful and historic structure as a swastika-bearing banner hangs from the adjoining building. No effort to fight the fire is visible...as no such effort was made, though two firemen are visible on the roof of the adjoining building. The photo is captioned on verso, as is the mount to which it was affixed. Near fine condition. For forty years, the synagogue was the cultural center of the city's Jewish community. On the night of November 10, 1938, the synagogue was burnt down by Sudeten Nazis, in the presence of a large crowd. The Nazis prevent access to the synagogue, so firefighters were only able to protect the neighboring buildings. The spectacle of the burning synagogue was described in the local newspaper "Deutsche Post fuer das Sudetenland": "The fire was reported too late. When the firefighters arrived, the fire had already developed so much that there was no longer any question of fighting it successfully...Frightening and beautiful was the sight of the bright and luminous flames at the four corner towers and the large central dome of the temple, which finally broke all together in a great crash. Yesterday the access roads were filled with spectators, who flocked here in large numbers to watch the burning of the synagogue. Protective police and the auxiliary police prohibited access..."

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May 14, 2020 12:00 PM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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