The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Resistance & rescue
Simon Wiesenthal (1908–2005): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 31 December 1908 / 1 January 1909, Buczacz (Galicia) |
|---|---|
| Died | 20 September 2005, Vienna |
| Key work | Jewish Historical Documentation centre, Linz (1947); Documentation Centre, Vienna (1961) |
| Documents bearing his name | Letters, signed cards and photographs, books, documentation centre correspondence |
| In the collection | 3 pieces currently available (see below) |
Simon Wiesenthal survived several Nazi camps and devoted his life to documenting the crimes of the Holocaust and helping bring perpetrators to justice. He signed many letters, cards and books, which are collected as testimony to that work.
Who Was Simon Wiesenthal?
Wiesenthal was born in Buczacz in Galicia on New Year’s night 1908. Arrested in Lwów in July 1941, he survived several camps and was liberated by the US Army at Mauthausen in May 1945. In 1947 he founded the Jewish Historical Documentation centre in Linz and in 1961 resumed his work in Vienna. His research helped locate Adolf Eichmann. He died in Vienna on 20 September 2005.
What Documents Bear Wiesenthal’s Signature?
His signature appears on letters, cards, photographs and copies of his books, many from his later decades. Letters on the letterhead of his documentation centre are a distinct group. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Most items date from his post-war decades.
- Check letterheads and dates.
- Certificates of authenticity do not replace examination.
Legacy
Wiesenthal’s work helped keep the prosecution of Nazi crimes on the public agenda for decades. He was buried in Herzliya, Israel.
Collector’s Note
Wiesenthal items belong in a collection as a counterweight to the perpetrators’ documents. I find that pairing an important part of telling the history responsibly.
Related Entries and Pieces
Pieces in the Collection
Browse the full Collector’s Encyclopaedia →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Wiesenthal liberated?
At Mauthausen, in May 1945.
Did Wiesenthal help find Eichmann?
His work helped locate Eichmann.
When did Wiesenthal die?
On 20 September 2005 in Vienna.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology.
References & Further Reading
- Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies, The Life of Simon Wiesenthal.