7181 - Arthur Seyss-Inquart Autograph Manuscript Signed at Nuremberg - His Last Will and Testament

Arthur Seyss-Inquart Autograph Manuscript Signed at Nuremberg - His Last Will and Testament AMS in pencil, in German, signed "Arthur Seyss-Inquart," one page, 8 x 12, October 13, 1946. Three days before his execution, Seyss-Inquart writes out his formal last will and testament. He directs that all his possessions be forwarded to his wife, Gertrud Seyss-Inquart, at Nattsee 6, Salzburg, Austria, and states she has free disposal of everything "in favor of my nearest relatives, as she decides best." He then lists what remains: two wrist watches (Cintra, and Susina-Geneva), two table clocks (Junghans and Haller), a medal in the form of a cross, 1,210 Reich Mark in cash, and a final accounting of his effects, a leather coat, a raincoat, a leather waistcoat, document cases, a pair of boots, and two books: Goethe's Faust and Brentano's Jochel. In fine condition. Accompanied by a contemporary deckle-edge photo taken after the execution, showing Seyss-Inquart with the noose still around his neck and an identification card visible on his chest. Condemned prisoners at Nuremberg were required to submit a final will along with any final statement and letters to family, and the prison administration handled the disposition of personal property since the Tribunal itself had no jurisdiction over civil matters. This document was produced in the final 72 hours of Seyss-Inquart's life, after his death sentence on 1 October 1946 and just before his execution. Together the two pieces bracket the same 72 hours, the will written in anticipation of the sentence, the photograph documenting its completion.