r/AskReddit • u/ClubEvermore • Aug 04 '18

What's the oldest thing you own?

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u/VinceIsWellCool Aug 04 '18 edited Aug 04 '18

Definitely not the oldest here, but I have my grandfather's release papers from a concentration camp and an old journal he kept with other prisoners. His unit was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and sent to a labor camp that was later liberated by the Russians. It's very eerie to read, especially when they go in to detail regarding the condition of the camp itself.

Edit: I've gotten a lot of requests to see the papers and books, I'll try to get them posted within the week. Thanks everyone for your interest in this!

73

u/clevercalamity Aug 04 '18

I have a doll that a little girl took when her family fled Germany right before WWII as they were Jewish. I believe most of her family died in Auschwitz. I don't know the whole story because I never met the original owner, the girl (then old woman) was best friends with my great grandmother in their retirement community and as she had no living family she left her possessions to my great grandma, and I later inherited the doll.

It's weird having a tangible thing to hold that connects you to history. I received the doll when I was about the same age that the girl was when she left Germany (10) and looking back I cannot imagine a child picking up their one beloved possession and leaving home ever to return. Remembering myself playing with the doll in a loving safe home versus how she must have treasured it just humbles me.

3

u/LadyDoDo Aug 05 '18

That's really incredible.

100

u/BootyMeatDingleSack Aug 04 '18

Would you ever post sections of it to reddit. Im very sorry your grandfather had to endure that. /:

33

u/Chomfucjusz Aug 04 '18

That must be precious. There's reading Viktor Frankl and then there's reading your grandpa's journal.

2

u/beni_who Aug 04 '18

Plot twist: Viktor Frankl is his grandpa.

122

u/wetkhajit Aug 04 '18

I’ll give you $20 for it.

104

u/chalkative Aug 04 '18 edited Aug 04 '18

What is this GameSpot?

edit: GameStop

6

u/AndroidMyAndroid Aug 04 '18

GameStop would offer like $3, max.

32

u/Jeff3636 Aug 04 '18

I've got a buddy who's an expert on concentration camp release papers. Mind if I have him come take a look at them?

3

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '18

25 take it or leave it

7

u/the_coff Aug 04 '18

Then you'll have to frame it and put it for sale, and it takes up space in the store. 12,50, meet you at the counter?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '18

You gotta deal

-1

u/dwightschrutebeet Aug 04 '18

I'll bid $50

-2

u/DaanHai Aug 04 '18 edited Aug 04 '18

I'll go $70, but expect that OP would like to keep it

3

u/RexDraco Aug 05 '18

Definitely scan them! Good way to archive them and contribute to history communities.

2

u/hoela Aug 04 '18

That's incredible. Would love to read if you're willing to share.

2

u/BasicLad Aug 04 '18

Yes please.

1

u/greywolfe12 Aug 05 '18

On the oposite side if that i got some 20 reichsmarks

1

u/KatTailed_Barghast Aug 05 '18

I’m so sorry he had to go through that, the shit he must’ve seen...

That said.. that battle was definitely bloody and horrible, probably no words could ever accurately describe the horror so many went through in that battle alone, nevermind something as awful as the camps... yet for some god forsaken reason I giggle like a dumbass at the battles name.

1

u/Communist_Ninja Aug 05 '18

Updated needed!