Actual Schindler’s List Being Auctioned on eBay with $3 Million Starting Price

Jul 22, 2013 09:27 AM EDT

One of Oskar Schindler’s lists of employees, which spared those whose names were present from impending death during the Holocaust, is currently being auctioned on eBay. Gary Zimet’s unique memorabilia business, ‘Moments in Time,’ acquired the historic list and is auctioning it with a starting price of $3 million on eBay.

In an effort to save Jews who were set to be deployed to German concentration camps during the Holocaust, businessman Oskar Schindler employed 1,200 Jews in his ammunition and enamelware factories. It is said that Schindler, who was a member of the Nazi party, was initially motivated to employ Jews for reasons pertaining to profitability; however, Schindler later grew compassionate toward his Jewish workers and went to great lengths to safeguard his employees during the widespread slaughter of their people. Schindler’s story was told in the novel “Schindler’s Ark,” which was later adapted to Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film, “Schindler’s List.”

Schindler kept four lists of his employees, but the one up for auction is the only one that is privately owned. The list contains 801 male names, and was given to Zimet by a descendant of Schindler’s accountant, Itzhak Stern. The other three lists are held in the Israel and United States Holocaust museums. The online auction will continue until July 28.