The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Resistance & rescue
Oskar Schindler (1908–1974): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 28 April 1908, Svitavy (Zwittau) |
|---|---|
| Died | 9 October 1974, Hildesheim |
| Recognition | Righteous Among the Nations, Yad Vashem (1962) |
| Documents bearing his name | Business and wartime documents, post-war letters; lists of workers |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Oskar Schindler, a Nazi Party member and businessman, protected about 1,100 Jewish workers at his factories in Kraków and Brünnlitz. His story became known worldwide through the film Schindler’s List, and material connected with him is rare and much sought after.
Who Was Oskar Schindler?
Schindler was born in Svitavy (Zwittau) in Moravia in 1908. He ran an enamelware factory in Kraków that employed Jewish workers, and later moved his workers to Brünnlitz in the Sudetenland, where a final count listed 1,098 people. Yad Vashem recognised him as Righteous Among the Nations in 1962. He died in Hildesheim on 9 October 1974 and is buried on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
What Documents Bear Schindler’s Signature?
His signature appears on business and wartime documents and on post-war letters. Original lists of his workers are held by archives; copies circulate widely. Any Schindler item needs strong provenance.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Copies of the famous lists are common; originals are in archives.
- Post-war letters should be described as such.
- Demand documented provenance.
The Rescue
Schindler’s rescue of his workers stands out against the background of the Holocaust in occupied Poland. Survivors and their descendants number in the thousands.
Collector’s Note
Schindler material carries an emotional weight that can cloud judgement. I apply exactly the same discipline as for any other name.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many people did Schindler save?
About 1,100; a final count at Brünnlitz listed 1,098.
When was Schindler recognised by Yad Vashem?
In 1962.
Where is Schindler buried?
On Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
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
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oskar Schindler.