SOLD
2,750.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2012 Sep 27 @ 14:46UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Excessively rare uniform of an SS-Aufseherin (prison matron), the gray-green wool jacket and skirt once owned by Ravenbruck dog-handler Gertrud Rabestein. The jacket bears a 3 1/4" cloth eagle insignia on the left sleeve, with no other insignia on the uniform, as is to be expected. Two exterior lined pockets are present, each 7" wide and 7 1/2" deep with 1 1/4" horizontal trim at top. This tunic of the "conservative" design, with modest lapels that would only open perhaps 5" below the neckline. Sleeves are 23 1/2" long, length is 25" in the back from the base of the collar. There are five brown buttons, each 7/8" diameter. Within, the garment bears a sewn-in elastic cinch at the waist, and is fully lined with green cloth and white and blue-striped cloth in the sleeves. The skirt is constructed of the same material as the jacket, about 30" at the waist, 27" long, with the proper pleat (17") at the front. A 7" "Zipp" steel zipper is sewn below a single button and tab closure. The skirt is not lined, as a shorter dress was often worn under this garment. All stitching, buttons, and insignia appear absolutuely original to the garment. Each item bears a 1 3/4" x 7/8" cloth identifying label reading: "SS-Aufseherin Gertrud Rabestein K.L. Ravensbruck". These labels bear soiling and wear absolutely consistent with the age of the garments, they are carefully sewn-in, and show absolutely so sign of having been "added" to the garments. Overall the jacket and skirt show only very slight wear. As both are constructed of rather heavy wool, we suspect this outfit was used only in cold weather. GERTRUD RABESTEIN (1903-1974) "The Commandeuse of Ravensbruck", joined the NSDAP in 1933. After employment at the women's prison in Naumberg, she spent a year as a guard at the women's concentration camp at Lichtenburg. In May, 1939 that camp was closed and its inmates (and Rabestein) were transferred to the newly-opened camp at Ravensbruck. While there she was charged with handling guard dogs which she often loosed on prisoners. She was also accused of beating, whipping and trampling her unfortunate captives. Rabestein particularly enjoyed depriving prisoners of warm clothing - if she found a sleeping prisoner with even a pair of socks, she would force the victim to spend eight hours in the freezing cold. In 1942, Rabestein requested that she be allowed to resign in order to return to Naumburg to accept a position as sergeant. She remained there until nearly the end of the war. On Aug. 31, 1948 Rabestein was arrested for her crimes, tried for the murder and mistreatment of concentration camp prisoners, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Estimate: $4,000 - 5,000.
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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012
Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012
Auction Location:
860 Canal Street. Second Floor., Stamford, Connecticut, 06902, United States
Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee.
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| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
22.5% |
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