Shoemaker's finishing iron of the type used in Łódź Ghetto
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 6.250 inches (15.875 cm) | Width: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) | Depth: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm)
Archival History
The finishing iron was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Scope and Content
Shoemaker's finishing iron, similar to those used by Jewish forced laborers in the Łódź Ghetto in German-occupied Poland from May 1940 to summer 1944. Finishing irons were heated over a flame, then run around the edge of a shoe sole, creating a smooth and even appearance. The irons were often part of a set, and had different-sized notches on the end, which corresponded to the different thicknesses of shoe soles. Łódź was occupied by Germany a week after the September 1939 invasion of Poland. It was renamed Litzmannstadt, and in February 1940, the Jewish population of about 160,000 people was confined to a small, sealed-off ghetto. All residents had to work, and 85 percent of the ghetto population labored in nearly 100 factories. The major ones produced textiles, including uniforms for the German Army. Occupying authorities seized much of the specialized machinery from the Jewish population, forcing them to use hand techniques for production. Due to severe overcrowding and scarce food, disease and starvation were common. The Judenrat (Jewish Council) administered the ghetto for the Germans, and chairman Mordechai Rumkowski thought hard work and high output would preserve the ghetto. However, in January 1942, mass deportations to Chelmno killing center began; half the residents were murdered by the end of the year. In summer 1944, Łódź, the last ghetto in Poland, was destroyed and the remaining Jews were sent to Chelmno and Auschwitz-Birkenau killing centers.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Small shoemaker’s finishing iron with a turned wooden handle that tapers at the neck. A small, round metal collar fits on top of the handle. Sitting on top of the collar is a short neck and a flared, rectangular block. A small platform extends slightly from the top of the block. The metal collar fits on the narrow end of a turned wooden handle that flares outward from the neck and tapers slightly to a rounded end. Attached to the bottom end of the handle is a brown leather hanging tab with a small slit. The wood is darkened and split near the collar.
Corporate Bodies
- Litzmannstadt-Getto (Łódź, Poland)
Subjects
- Poland.
- Jewish ghettos--Poland--Łódź--Economic aspects.
- World War, 1939-1945--Conscript labor--Poland--Łódź.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland.
- Poland--History--German occupation, 1939-1945.
Genre
- Object
- Hand tools.
- Tools and Equipment