Birth medallion belonging to Liesbeth Prins
ObjectnummerM2023/063
TitelBirth medallion belonging to Liesbeth Prins
BeschrijvingMetal birth medallion engraved with the name and birth date, 25 December 1937, of Liesbeth Prins. At top of medallion is a punched hole to wear as a bracelet or necklace.
Liesje (Liesbeth) was born in Amsterdam on 25 December 1937 to Suze and Nico Prins. Shortly after her birth, her mother began writing a diary (in Dutch) in an exercise book. By May 1939 she had already filled one book, and began another. The diaries document Liesje's development from birth until 1942 when the diary abruptly ends.
With the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, Suze and Nico asked friends Johannes (Han) and Lena (Non) Visser-Furth to take Liesje. Suze and Nico were then deported to Staats Schouburg.
After Nazis moved into a house across the road for the Visser-Furths, Liesje was placed in hiding by the Bussum resistance, leaving behind the medallion which was kept by Han and Non's daughter, Dorien.
Unfortunately, her next hiding place in Haarlem with music teacher Lyda Reijer was cut short and they were betrayed. Liesje and Lyda were arrested on 29 September 1943, brought to the local police station and locked in a cell. Lyda was sent to Vught concentration camp and then Ravensbruck.
Liesje was reunited to her parents in the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Collection Centre). She was then deported to Westerbork and then Auschwitz with them 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.
The diaries which were donated in 2002, reveal the depth of a mother's love and joy at her growing child, and are a window into their family life until their deportation.
The diary and medallion were reunited in 2023 after Head Curator, Roslyn Sugarman, wrote an online post detailing Liesje and Suze's lives. It was seen by donor, Michael Keemskerk, whose aunt is Dorien van Dijk-Visser. On 5 November 2023, curatorial volunteer, Anne Slade, met with two members of Liesbeth Prins family as well as Michael and his aunt, Dorien. She never forgot her childhood friend, keeping the medallion until it found its home at the Museum.
Liesje (Liesbeth) was born in Amsterdam on 25 December 1937 to Suze and Nico Prins. Shortly after her birth, her mother began writing a diary (in Dutch) in an exercise book. By May 1939 she had already filled one book, and began another. The diaries document Liesje's development from birth until 1942 when the diary abruptly ends.
With the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, Suze and Nico asked friends Johannes (Han) and Lena (Non) Visser-Furth to take Liesje. Suze and Nico were then deported to Staats Schouburg.
After Nazis moved into a house across the road for the Visser-Furths, Liesje was placed in hiding by the Bussum resistance, leaving behind the medallion which was kept by Han and Non's daughter, Dorien.
Unfortunately, her next hiding place in Haarlem with music teacher Lyda Reijer was cut short and they were betrayed. Liesje and Lyda were arrested on 29 September 1943, brought to the local police station and locked in a cell. Lyda was sent to Vught concentration camp and then Ravensbruck.
Liesje was reunited to her parents in the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Collection Centre). She was then deported to Westerbork and then Auschwitz with them 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.
The diaries which were donated in 2002, reveal the depth of a mother's love and joy at her growing child, and are a window into their family life until their deportation.
The diary and medallion were reunited in 2023 after Head Curator, Roslyn Sugarman, wrote an online post detailing Liesje and Suze's lives. It was seen by donor, Michael Keemskerk, whose aunt is Dorien van Dijk-Visser. On 5 November 2023, curatorial volunteer, Anne Slade, met with two members of Liesbeth Prins family as well as Michael and his aunt, Dorien. She never forgot her childhood friend, keeping the medallion until it found its home at the Museum.
Vervaardiging plaatsNetherlands
Datum 1937 - 1937
Onderwerpdeportation, child victims, hiding, Dutch Underground, children's clothing, Westerbork transit camp, betrayals
Objectnaamjewellery
Materiaalmetal
Formaat
- diameter: 22.00 mm
Taal
- Dutch
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, donated by Michael John Heemskerk. This object is donated in memory of the Family Prins.