Rare Find: Anne Frank‘s First ‘Diary of a Young Girl’ Edition Rescued from Recycling
A staff member at a Dutch logistics company, Omrin Estafette, found something extraordinary in their office’s recycling container: a first edition of Anne Frank’s iconic diary, "Het Achterhuis." The book, published in 1947 as "De Dagboek van Anna Frank," is one of the most famous accounts of the Holocaust.
Andries Jan Hovinga, the branch manager, recounted the surprising discovery. "One of our colleagues was preparing to leave for another branch and found the book in the old paper container. They were about to toss it, but fortunately they thought better of it," he said.
The hardcover book, titled " Het Achterhuis" in its original Dutch, was published by Contact Publishing Company and bears the text "Eerste Druk – Amsterdam 1947." It is said to be in reasonable condition, given its age.
The find is a significant piece of history, as Anne Frank’s diary has become one of the most-read books worldwide, with over 30 million copies sold. The diary, revised and republished under the title "The Diary of a Young Girl" in the United States in 1952, gives a unique and harrowing insight into the life of a young Jewish girl and her family while in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
This rare find serves as a poignant reminder of our shared history and the importance of preserving such documented accounts. Omrin Estafette has contacted the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to determine the best way to handle this valuable piece of history.
