Birth medallion belonging to Liesbeth Prins
Object numberM2023/063
TitleBirth medallion belonging to Liesbeth Prins
DescriptionMedallion engraved with the name and birth date of Liesbeth Prins, 25 December 1937. At the top is a pierced hole for suspension as a pendant or bracelet.
Liesje (Liesbeth) was born in Amsterdam on 25 December 1937 to Suze and Nico Prins. Her mother began writing a diary and by May 1939 she had filled one book and began another. They document Liesje's development from birth until 1942 when the diary entries abruptly stop.
When Nazi German invaded the Netherlands, Suze and Nico asked friends Johannes (Han) and Lena (Non) Visser-Furth to take Liesje. Suze and Nico were deported to Staats Schouburg.
Fearing for the child's safety when Nazis moved into a house across the road, Liesje was placed in hiding by the Bussum resistance. Her medallion was kept by Han and Non's daughter, Dorien.
Her next hiding place in Haarlem with music teacher Lyda Reijer was betrayed. Both Liesje and Lyda were arrested on 29 September 1943, brought to the local police station and locked in a cell. Lyda was deported to Vught concentration camp and then Ravensbruck.
Liesje was briefly reunited with her parents in the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Collection Centre); the family were deported to Westerbork and then to Auschwitz where they were gassed immediately upon arrival on 22 October 1943. Lyda survived her experiences but until her death (at almost 100) never spoke of what had happened.
Liesje (Liesbeth) was born in Amsterdam on 25 December 1937 to Suze and Nico Prins. Her mother began writing a diary and by May 1939 she had filled one book and began another. They document Liesje's development from birth until 1942 when the diary entries abruptly stop.
When Nazi German invaded the Netherlands, Suze and Nico asked friends Johannes (Han) and Lena (Non) Visser-Furth to take Liesje. Suze and Nico were deported to Staats Schouburg.
Fearing for the child's safety when Nazis moved into a house across the road, Liesje was placed in hiding by the Bussum resistance. Her medallion was kept by Han and Non's daughter, Dorien.
Her next hiding place in Haarlem with music teacher Lyda Reijer was betrayed. Both Liesje and Lyda were arrested on 29 September 1943, brought to the local police station and locked in a cell. Lyda was deported to Vught concentration camp and then Ravensbruck.
Liesje was briefly reunited with her parents in the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Collection Centre); the family were deported to Westerbork and then to Auschwitz where they were gassed immediately upon arrival on 22 October 1943. Lyda survived her experiences but until her death (at almost 100) never spoke of what had happened.
Production placeNetherlands
Production date 1937 - 1937
Subjectdeportation, child victims, hiding, Dutch Underground, children's clothing, Westerbork transit camp, betrayals
Object namejewellery
Materialmetal
Dimensions
- diameter: 22.00 mm
Language
- Dutch
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, donated by Michael John Heemskerk. This object is donated in memory of the Family Prins.