Objects

As World War II broke out, Andrzej Kramsztyk decided to hide not only the family’s movable assets, like furniture, or the the signboard and doorplate of his law firm determining the location of his business, but the most important documents were also placed in the secretive inventory. According to Andrzej’s daughter, Joanna, he hid his attorney ID under the floor of one of the houses they were staying in during the occupation. The ID in question survived the war, allowing Andrzej to get back to his practice after the war’s end.

The rectangular signboard made of cast iron sheet was covered in white enamel with black, majuscule writing. It has letters in two rows. One word at the top, two at the bottom (the one on the right is in bold). The first letter of the word on the left is also in bold and visibly bigger than the rest. Alongside the plate’s edges there are thin, black lines (creating a frame for the writing) and the additional (thiner) lines on the outer side. In the bottom right corner, the handwritten signature of the plate’s manufacturer is added: "ESKULAP" WARSZAWA - LESZCZYŃSKA 7, TEL. 748-85" ["ESKULAP" WARSAW - LESZCZYŃSKA 7, PHONE 748-85]. There are holes for screws in every corner.

Marta Frączkiewicz