Metal lid from a cremation urn stamped Dachau
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 3.750 inches (9.525 cm) | Width: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
Creator(s)
- Anton Oleszak (Subject)
Biographical History
Anton Oleszak was born October 15, 1914, in Neustadt, Poland, near Łódź, to Johann Oleszak and Veronica Kotschikus. His father was a farmer, and the family was Catholic. Anton was married to Regina Koloscheska. On February 17, 1942, Anton was condemned to death by hanging in Dachau concentration camp in Germany. He was 28 years old.
Archival History
The container lid was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2005 by Peter Edles.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Peter Edles
Scope and Content
Container lid with the birth, death, and cremation dates for 28 year old Anton Oleszak. The lid is believed to be from a cremation urn used to return his ashes to his family following his execution in Dachau concentration camp. Oleszak was condemned to death by hanging in Dachau on February 17, 1942. He was a Catholic from Neustadt, Poland. It was a policy of the Nazi government to return the remains of political prisoners to their families.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Circular, silver-colored, pressed metal lid, possibly tin. The raised edges of the rim have been folded over and lightly crimped. There are 2 pin sized holes near the center edges on the left and right. The underside has stamped text.
inside, center : 2329 / DACHAU / OLESZAK / ANTON / * 15.10.14 / [Cross] 17.2.42 / [Circle] 21.2.42
Subjects
- Extrajudicial executions--Germany.
- World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons.
- Concentration camp inmates--Germany--Dachau.
Genre
- Containers
- Object