Handmade Box

Unknown location, Canada, 1941

Image Slideshow and 3D

A denim fabric box with a red fabric circle insert on the lid. The latch on the right side is closed.
Handmade box, likely for a case for cigarettes, made from denim fabric with a red circle.
The back side of a denim fabric box. The back of the latch is visible on the left side.
Back view of box.
A denim fabric box standing open. It is lined with yellowed birch bark paper. Handwriting inside the lid reads, “Made by refugee from Nazi oppression, Canada 1941.”
Box lined with birch box paper inscribed “Made by refugees from Nazi oppression Canada 1941.”

This box was made by a Jewish internee in a Canadian internment camp. It replicated the camp uniform that internees were required to wear. The uniform had a large red circle on the back that served as a target in case the internee tried to escape.

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Donated to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre by Gerry Waldston. 2011.009.001

Transcript

Made by REFUGEE from NAZI OPPRESSION / Canada. 1941. 

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