Original postwar memorial postcard from the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site, depicting the mass-grave memorial dedicated to thousands of unidentified prisoners who died at Dachau.
The photograph shows the memorial marker bearing the inscription in three languages:
“FOSSE COMMUNE – GRAB VIELER TAUSEND UNBEKANNTER – GRAVE OF MANY THOUSANDS UNKNOWN.”
The reverse identifies the subject more fully in German, English, French and Russian as the “Grave of thousands of unknown prisoners.” The postcard was published by the Comité International de Dachau and printed by Nachdruck verboten.
This particular example has additional historical interest because the reverse contains an extensive handwritten English description apparently added by a visitor to Dachau. The writer identifies the site as the Dachau Concentration Camp and discusses the prisoners, crematorium, gas chamber and execution range.
The card was not mailed and retains no postage stamp or postal cancellation. A handwritten “20¢” notation appears in the stamp box, possibly an old dealer or purchase-price notation.
The photographic side remains in very good overall condition with strong contrast and only light edge and handling wear. The extensive handwritten visitor annotation on the reverse gives this example additional documentary character compared with a completely unused souvenir card.
Period: Post-WWII
Country: Germany
Location: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Subject: Grave of Thousands of Unknown Prisoners
Type: Concentration Camp Memorial / Historical Postcard
Publisher: Comité International de Dachau
Image: Mass Grave Memorial
Postal Status: Unposted
Writing: Extensive handwritten English historical annotation
Postage Stamp: None
Cancellation: None
Condition: Very Good – light age and handling wear; handwritten period/visitor annotation on reverse
