Anne Frank House in Amsterdam Acquires Childhood Fairy Tale Book of Anne and Margot Frank
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam has recently announced the acquisition of a German-language book of fairy tales, once owned by sisters Anne and Margot Frank during their childhood. This significant addition enriches the museum's collection, offering a tangible connection to the girls' early lives before they went into hiding.
The book, titled "Aus Grimms Märchen," features twenty classic fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. Its personal connection to the Frank sisters is evident, as Anne herself inscribed "Anne Frank and Margot Frank" on the flyleaf. The book also bears a stamp and an "MF" ex libris mark, indicating it belonged to Margot.
The Remarkable Rediscovery of a Lost Treasure
The story of the book's rediscovery spans decades. In June 1977, Bibi van Groen wrote to Otto Frank, Anne and Margot's father, after finding the book while clearing out a bookcase. Her husband had purchased the book from a second-hand shop in Amsterdam back in 1945, and it was only more than 30 years later that they realized its previous owners.
Otto Frank responded shortly after, speculating that the book was likely left behind in their former home on Merwedeplein and somehow found its way to a bookseller after their belongings were taken by the Germans. In a touching gesture, he expressed his desire for the van Groen family to keep the book for their daughter as "a remembrance of my children."
A Journey Home to the Anne Frank House Collection
Following its initial rediscovery, the fairy tale book was later auctioned in New York in 2016 and acquired by the International Museum of World War II. After that museum closed in 2019, its collection, including this unique item, was sold to a private collector. Thanks to support from the Friends Lottery, the Anne Frank House has now been able to acquire the book, bringing it back to a place deeply connected with Anne Frank's legacy.
Ronald Leopold, executive director of the Anne Frank House, highlighted the importance of this acquisition, noting that Anne and Margot were enthusiastic readers from a young age. He stated that the storybook serves as "a wonderful addition to our collection, serving as a tangible reminder of the girls’ lives before they went into hiding.” This sentiment is echoed in Anne Frank's own diary entry from July 1943, where she wrote about the profound comfort and distraction books provided while cooped up, emphasizing their invaluable role in their lives.
This acquisition offers visitors to the Anne Frank House a more intimate glimpse into the personal world and literary interests of Anne and Margot Frank, deepening the understanding of their lives before the period of hiding. To discover more about cultural spots and museums, including the Anne Frank House, you can explore Musemap (musemap.art) or browse museums in Amsterdam. You can also view them on the map to plan your next visit.
