Description:

Sobering set of seventeen original photographic contact prints, each 4 ½" x 3 ½" b/w, taken at the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany shortly after its liberation by U.S. troops in April of 1945. Despite being contact prints, intended only to review the images before printing, these images aptly reveal the horrors encountered by the liberators of the camp: medical specimens taken from dead prisoners; a gallows used to suspend and beat inmates; emaciated prisoners stripped of clothing or huddled in their bunks; bodies stacked like cordwood beneath a makeshift memorial; a partial skeleton within a crematorium oven; and prisoners nonchalantly eating beside an enormous pile of human bones. Other views show anti-Nazi slogans and effigies displayed on the sides of barracks; prisoners painting additional such signs in English; American soldiers touring the compound; and two prisoners, almost certainly transferred to Buchenwald from Auschwitz, displaying identity numbers tattooed on their forearms. Included with the photos is an period storage envelope, labeled "Buchenwald Concentration Camp Weimar, Germany April 1945". Three of the photos bear later pencil inscriptions on the verso, in two cases translating slogans on the sides of buildings. According to our consignor, he purchased these photographs from the estate of an assistant to noted photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White, who produced some of the most iconic and striking photographs of the Holocaust while at Buchenwald. Unfortunately, he was not able to divulge the identity of this assistant to us, at the request of the family. These photographs were most likely taken by that assistant. We cannot locate any instances of these particular images being published or distributed. Many show some silvering to the black areas, else very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

November 13, 2018 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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