Valkyrie Historical Auctions

2026 Militaria Auction

Lot 73:

prev Back to the catalog next

Arbeit Macht Frei Iron Sign from Probably KL Osthofen Concentration Camp

Live auction will start in __ days and __ hours

Start price: $40,000

Estimated price: $80,000 - $100,000

Buyer's Premium:

Description

Arbeit Macht Frei iron sign from what is believed to have originally came from KL Osthofen Concentration Camp,  one of the earliest and most unique SS camps. Osthofen was opened in 1933 and was the fore-runner camp to the larger camps that produced the porcelain Allach pieces, etc.

It was specifically designed by the SS to pool skilled talent and manufactuer superb hand-crafted articles. Even the gate itself is nicely detailed with oak leaves and swastikas on it.
It was evetually re-located due to size restraints, and the gate was kept and utilized at Neuengamme KZ camp outside Hamburg.
The story was that it was removed from a gate by a worker several decades ago, sometime after the war.  The man who took possession of this sign worked for a company that was tasked with demolition of certain buildings and structures and was allowed to keep anything that was ordered to be discarded. He had the good sense to think the Arbeit Macht Frei iron sign might have some historical significance and decided to bring the nearly 70 lbs piece home where he stored in a barn for decades and ultimately forgot about it. It measures 41 inches across, 14.5 inches tall. Its weight is about 70 pounds. Interestingly, the sign was decorated with painted metal oak leaves and swastikas on each side and were welded to the gate itself. These decorations are obviously original and not modernly added. We added some photos of the gate at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp with the same design gate and sign. Please note that no period photos exist of this piece of gate at KL Osthofen or at Neuengamme. The information on this gate came by word of mouth from owner to owner over the course of several years so we cannot verify for certainty all of these details. As with many historical items, the stories pertaining to the history of a piece can easily be forgotten and changed over time if not written down. These “Arbeit signs” were not necessarily at the front gates of concentration camps (we have period photos of one hanging above the door of a barracks in an Italian concentration camp).  It’s certainly original and was clearly cut from a larger gate.This item will be shipping from US. Shipping cost $25 it doesn’t matter how many items you win.