Object numberM2010/017:001
DescriptionLetter hand-written in German from Czeslaw (or Czeslaus) Altmajer (a non-Jewish) Polish political prisoner in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Written to his brother Stephan Altmajer in Zamosc district of Lublin, Poland on camp stationery. This letter is from the estate of the late Czeslaw Altmajer. In brief, it acknowledges the receipt of money and enquires about their mother. Polish speaking Czeslaw explains that the letter is written by someone else in German.
Czeslaw Altmajer was born in July 1916 in Stawropol. He was arrested by German authorities on 19 June 1940 in Lamosc, Lublin and held in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. He was released on 2 May 1945.
Czeslaw Altmajer was born in July 1916 in Stawropol. He was arrested by German authorities on 19 June 1940 in Lamosc, Lublin and held in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. He was released on 2 May 1945.
Production date 1941-05-11
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- length: 220.00 mm
width: 160.00 mm
Language
- German From: Altmajer Czeslaus (?) 11/05/1941.
To: Dear Brother. Have received your letter of 17/04. Also got the money you sent on 06/05/41. Please convey thanks to the manager of Mr. Boniecki (?) for his good intentions. I am unable to write to aunt Julia. please sent my regards , my very best ones , hoping that she is well , which I wish for her from my heart. Any news from our mother? When did you visit her the last time? Where do you work now. I don’t myself write my letters. Please pay attention exactly to the attached card and my address. Has ….?ezek grown really tall?
All the best regards to all of you, from Altmajer …..?
Letterhead: Concentration camp Sachsenhausen Oranienburg via Berlin
The day of release cannot be given yet. Visits to the camp are forbidden. Enquiries are pointless.
Extract from the camp regulations:
Every prisoner is allowed to receive and send two letters or postcards per month. Incoming letters must not contain more than 4 pages with 15 lines and have to be easily legible. Money orders are only permitted as postal orders, which have to state first and family name, date of birth, prisoner number, but not any messages. Money, photos and pictures are forbidden in letters. Items sent by mail which do not comply with the regulations will not be delivered. Not clearly written letters will be destroyed. Everything can be purchased in the camp. National –Socialist newspapers are permitted, but they have to be ordered by the prisoner himself in the concentration camp. The Camp Commandant.
I received letter, money etc. Please convey thanks to boss for good will. I can't write to Aunty Julia but convey my greetings. Is there news from mother. When did you see her the last time? I am not writing my letters myself. (someone is writing it in German for him). Please look carefully to the attached card
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Czeslaw Altmajer