Nazi surgeon's death camp instruments go up for sale
A Second World War surgeon's set with a sinister past is due to be sold by a Cornish auction house this week.
The wooden box of surgical instruments belonged to Anton Burger, a major in the Nazi SS and the commandant of the Theresienstadt concentration camp between 1933 and 1944. Each of the main items in the set bears Burger's name.
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Surgeon's equipment once owned by Nazi Camp commandant Anton Burger is shown off by auctioneer James Kendling of Bude, who is selling it for its current owner
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The words on the box of surgeon's tools translates as 'mixed instruments' to hide their real use. Below: Anton Burger
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The set of surgery equipment – disguised as a musical instrument box
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It will be auctioned by Villa Hall Auctions, in Bude, on Saturday, but there is some mystery about how the box of surgical equipment ended up in the Westcountry.
Grace Cloke, from the auction house, explained that it was being sold by a private vendor who wished to remain anonymous.
She said that the husband of the vendor was Jewish, and his parents met and married at a concentration camp in Austria.
Ms Cloke said: "This set was always in their home while they were married. He wouldn't talk about his history but he used to spend a lot of time researching the Second World War."
Sadly, the vendor's husband passed away some years ago and she lost contact with his family, so she still does not know how he came to own a box of surgical instruments that once belonged to a Nazi.
Theresiendadt camp was located in what is now the Czech Republic and was used during the war as a propaganda tool. In 1943, the Nazis decided to allow representatives from the Danish and International Red Cross to visit Theresienstadt to dispel rumours about the concentration camps.
Before the Red Cross arrived in July 1944, many of the Jews at the camp were deported to Auschwitz to reduce the appearance of overcrowding, and fake shops and cafes were erected to give the false impression that inmates had a life of relative comfort.
The Red Cross representatives seemed to fall for the deception and the Nazis went on to make a propaganda film at the camp.
After the war, Burger was sentenced to death for his war crimes but went into hiding under an assumed name. His real identity was not discovered until 1994, three years after his death. Ms Cloke said that the auction house was aware of the sensitive nature of selling an item that once belonged to a Nazi war criminal.
Museums and other institutions across the world have already shown an interest in the sale and Ms Cloke said they hoped it would go to an organisation that would be able to use it in a positive, educational setting.
The surgeon's set has a guide price of £2,000 and will be among lots on sale at the Villa Hall Antiques and Modern Auction on Saturday, February 11.
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by BudePeeps
Friday, February 10 2012, 6:51AM
“Dues to threats made to the auction house staff, it appears that the items have been withdrawn. The BBC reports that proceeds were to go to a children's charity. Police say they will still have a presence at the auction on Saturday.”
by BudePeeps
Thursday, February 09 2012, 2:38PM
“A link to the Jewish Chronicle re protests about nazi tools for auction: http://tinyurl.com/73xc4yh”
by willems
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 9:17PM
“Yes, let's sweep history under the carpet. Way to go !”
by BudePeeps
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 8:29PM
“Bude Police have stated on their Facebook page that: It has been reported in the Daily Mail today that an auction was to take place in Bude this Saturday of surgical items that had been used in a Nazi concentration camp. Bude police can confirm that this particular item has now been withdrawn from sale and will form no part of the auction nor will it be present at the auction.”
by renecassin
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 7:33PM
“Join the René Cassin Foundation in signing this petition and opposing the sale of Nazi surgical tools for profit: http://tinyurl.com/6ug5vyj”
by BudePeeps
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 8:54AM
“Some Bude People Facebook page responses:
Susan: They are murder weapons, they should not have a profit made out of them.
Vicky: Why would anyone wish to own such a thing???????
Donna: Museum pieces for definite !
Nich: So thats why theres gonna be media interest at the auction!!! Can all be watched online though if one can't fit in lol”
by BudePeeps
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 6:02AM
“Thinking that youngcornwall is right and that items like these ought to be in museums for all to see (and remember the atrocities of the Nazi camps) rather than end up in a private collection. Suspect the reality is that public funds are no longer available for such acquisitions. However, how philanthropic it would be for someone to buy them and donate to an appropriate museum...........”
by accom
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 11:06PM
“What an absolutely charming story!
Still, I learnt one interesting factoid ... it was possible to get married in a concentration camp - I didn't know that. How thoughtful of the Nazis. Das war sehr freundlich.
James Kendling is putting on quite the sinister Nazi expression while displaying these 'instruments', and the light makes it look very authentic. Are you sure he is not a Nazi doctor?
I agree that while the history of them is appalling and upsetting, the Holocaust should never be forgotten - it is clear than certain contemporary world leaders still need reminding of how wrong it is to go round killing your own people for no reason.”
by MickBarb
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 6:56PM
“Hitler and the Nazis were psychos and it's good that stuff like this reminds people.”
by noxbox
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 5:47PM
“If I was in the UK I would bid for them and destroy them immediately! Why anyone would wish to keep them as a memento of the atrocities they would have been involved in is beyond me!”