Thursday, September 20, 2007

Two Albums from Auschwitz

The New York Times yesterday told of a photo album put together by Karl Hoecker, adjutant to the commander of Auschwitz, depicting scenes from the camp, but mostly, pleasant scenes from the daily life of the SS staff. From there you should go to the website of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where the newly discovered album is, and they've put up a very fine online exhibition. Take your time, because this is an incredible document. And then go to the website of Yad Vashem, which owns the only known other album from Auschwitz, and compare the two. The YV album depicts Jews arriving at the camp to be murdered.

Each of these two albums on its own is important, the juxtaposition is blood curdling.

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