Arbeit Macht Frei 48-inch Replica ONE OF A KIND Concentration Camp Sign
This one of a kind "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign was created. For a private collector as a replica of the original sign hanging over the gates of many Nazi operated concentration camps, including the infamous Auschwitz IIBirkenau death camp. The slogan is German and translates to Work Sets You Free. This particular design was manufactured by prisoners of Auschwitz who included an inverted B in Arbeit as an act of defiance (see images).
Rudolf Höss, the longest serving commandment of Auschwitz, ordered the sign to be erected as a psychological weapon to subjugate incoming prisoners. The irony in this phrase was that freedom obtained through any other means than death was highly unlikely. Extreme cynicism was a key tactic of the Nazis final solution, which often involved false promises such as this slogan to calm soon to be executed new arrivals and pacify the masses. Over 1,000,000 souls passed under this sign at the entrance of Auschwitz and were murdered on camp grounds before Auchwitz was liberated on January 27, 1945 by invading Soviet troops.This sign measures 48 x 0.5 x 3.25. It features an oxidized finish to make it look aged.
It is a truly unique collectors piece and is a perfect gift for the WWII collector, history buff, or as a solemn tribute commemorating one of the greatest losses of life since the dawn of mankind. The item "Arbeit Macht Frei 48-inch Replica ONE OF A KIND Concentration Camp Sign" is in sale since Friday, December 15, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Reproductions\Germany". The seller is "alexanderuper-0" and is located in Akron, Ohio. This item can be shipped to United States.