For your consideration is a rare and poignant piece of WWII history: a hand-etched wooden postcard from the Litzmannstadt Ghetto (Łódź, Poland).

This artifact is crafted from a thin slab of wood, featuring a hand-drawn or etched design on the front depicting two Lions of Judah supporting a shield containing the Star of David. The reverse side is meticulously laid out in the format of a traditional postcard, including a designated area for a postage stamp and horizontal lines for the recipient's address.

The Litzmannstadt Ghetto was the second-largest ghetto in German-occupied Europe. Residents often produced such items as "Ghetto Art," reflecting their cultural heritage amidst the tragedies of the Holocaust. This piece serves as a solemn reminder of Jewish resilience.

Historical Contextual Note: This artifact is a primary source of "Ghetto Art" from the Nazi occupation of Poland. Such items were often produced by Jewish artisans within the Litzmannstadt Ghetto to maintain cultural identity or for clandestine trade. The use of wood as a medium for a postcard is a direct reflection of the scarcity of paper and the resourcefulness of the ghetto's inhabitants.

Item Specifics

• • Material: Wood (thin veneer/plywood)

• • Dimensions: 3.25" x 4.75"; Weight: 0.3 oz

• • Origin: Litzmannstadt Ghetto (Łódź, Poland)

• • Period: World War II (Circa 1940–1944)

• • Subject: Jewish Heraldry / Star of David / Lions of Judah

• • Provenance: Historically held by a Jewish emigree family from Łódź, later acquired in 2017 (Lot 292198369114)

  • Iconography: Double Lions of Judah flanking the Magen David (Star of David)

  • Condition: Antique / Fair - the wood shows natural aging, oxidation, and some surface wear consistent with its age and the conditions of the period. There is some staining/fading on the top left of the front side. The etchings remain clearly visible. Please see photos for a detailed view of the grain and markings.

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CERTIFICATE OF PROVENANCE & HISTORICAL RECORD

This certifies that the aforementioned artifact has been part of a documented chain of custody as follows:

1. 1. Original Acquisition: Held within a Jewish emigree family originally residing in Łódź (Litzmannstadt), Poland. The item was brought to the United States and remained in the family’s private collection in Sunrise, Florida, for several decades.

   2. Public Transfer: The item was formally entered into the public record via eBay, USA, on August 08, 2017.

   3. Registry Reference: Cataloged under Lot Number 292198369114.

   4. V.N. COLLECTIBLE AUCTION HOUSE: Item was cataloged and sold via V.N. Collectible (LiveAuctioneers), a specialist in European and WWII historical artifacts.

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

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