Bidspirit auction | 1960 Biografia Bylych Wiezniow Politycznych

1960 Biografia Bylych Wiezniow Politycznych Niemieckich Obozow Koncentracyjnych Tom I - A Polish-language historical volume titled Biografia Bylych Wiezniow Politycznych Niemieckich Obozow Koncentracyjnych (Biography of Former Political Prisoners of German Concentration Camps), designated as Tom I (Volume I). This commemorative hardcover publication serves as an early post-war record of Polish survivors and their experiences within the Nazi concentration camp system. The front cover features a black-framed monochromatic illustration centered on the German phrase ARBEIT MACHT FREI set in a stylized banner. The scene depicts a wooden guard tower, multi-strand barbed wire fencing, a prisoner silhouette, and a sign showing a skull and crossbones over the word HALT. The word BIOGRAFIA is printed in large block lettering at the base. Internally, the title page identifies a Komitet Wykonawczy (Executive Committee) consisting of Dr. Inz. Antoni Gladysz and Andrzej Szymerski. One introductory page features a graphic of the Polish national eagle emblem in black over a red rectangular ground. The spine is printed with the full title and a circular logo at the base containing a globe and the word PROMYK. The content includes numerous historical photographs, including views of the camp at Gusen, electric fencing, and liberated survivors. It features individual testimonies and portraits of former prisoners including Feliks Rafał Jedrzejak and Kazimierz Odrobny. Several pages contain graphic archival imagery from the liberation of camps such as Bergen-Belsen, showing deceased prisoners and captured guards. A handwritten blue ink inscription appears on a front flyleaf reading: To Harmon from Joseph Szerynski [illegible] Parkway 1960. The book exhibits wear consistent with age and handling. The white hardcover shows generalized yellowing, scattered surface staining, and minor scuffing to the front and rear boards (photos 1 and 2). The spine and corners show light bumping and shelf wear (photo 3). Internal pages are intact but display typical oxidation and tanning throughout, along with minor handling creases at the edges (photos 7-14). A small dark stain is visible on the lower right of the back cover (photo 2). The binding remains stable and secure.