Knockaloe Internment Camp pen & ink stand
Date made: 1916
Maker: POW Saloman 19906
Description: A wooden pen and ink stand made at Knockaloe Internment Camp, inscribed 'Knockaloe' on the front and 'P.O.W. Salomon 19906 1916' on rear. The wooden stand has a chip carved geometric design. Glass ink well.
This is possibly the object described as 'Kassette' in the publication 'Camp IV Grosse Kunstgewerbe Austellung 27 Marz bis 2 April 1916' where Salomon is listed as an exhibitor with the same prisoner number. In this catalogue his initial is given as A. The closest match on the ICRC database would appear to be Adolf Engelbert Salomon, an Austrian. Additionally, an Adolf E. Saloman is recorded as marrying in the St Pancras area of London in July 1914, though it cannot be conclusively shown at the moment that this is the maker of the object.
Internees were held on the Isle of Man in two camps, a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and a purpose built camp located at Knockaloe near Peel on the west coast of the Island. These held at their peaks over 4,000 and 23,000 men in some cases for nearly five years between opening in 1914 and final closure in 1919. Over 30,000 men passed through Knockaloe between 1914 and 1917 more than the population of Douglas the largest town.
Measurements: overall: 9 cm x 25 cm x 14 cm
Materials: wood
Object name: pen & ink stand
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1975-0018
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS