Key Facts
• Władysław Marceli Anczyc (1894-1940) – doctor of musicology, pianist, and last heir of the prominent Anczyc dynasty
• Son of Wacław Anczyc – famous Kraków printer and historian who established the family's printing legacy
• Inherited the Anczyc printing house in 1938, one of Kraków's most significant publishing establishments
• Military service – mobilized as captain in 1939 during the German invasion of Poland
• Katyn Massacre victim – executed in Kharkiv in 1940 along with nearly 4,000 Polish officers
• Wartime resistance – his printing house served as a crucial center for producing fake documents for the Polish underground
Władysław Marceli Anczyc was born in 1894 into one of Kraków's most distinguished cultural families. He was a doctor of musicology and accomplished pianist, representing the intellectual and artistic traditions that characterized the Anczyc lineage. As the son of Anczyc Wacław, the famous Kraków printer and historian, Władysław became the last representative of the renowned Anczyc dynasty that had played a significant role in Polish cultural and intellectual life for generations.
Early Life and Education
Growing up in the culturally rich environment of early 20th-century Kraków, Władysław received an exceptional education that combined both musical and academic pursuits. His doctoral studies in musicology reflected the family's commitment to scholarly excellence, likely conducted at the prestigious Jagiellonian University, while his skills as a pianist demonstrated the artistic sensibilities that were characteristic of the Anczyc heritage. This dual focus on academic research and musical performance positioned him as a notable figure in Kraków's intellectual circles before he inherited the family business.
Inheritance of the Family Business
In 1938, Władysław inherited the family printing house, a business that had been central to Kraków's publishing industry for decades and was strategically located in the city's Old Town. Historical records from the National Archives in Kraków indicate that recognizing his own strengths lay more in musicology and academic pursuits than in commercial enterprise, the day-to-day operations were managed by Ferdynand Pieradzki, a trusted associate who ensured the continuity of the printing house's operations. This arrangement allowed Władysław to maintain his scholarly and musical activities while preserving the family's business legacy.
Military Service and Wartime Experience
When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Władysław was mobilized to the Polish Army with the rank of captain. Documentation from the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) confirms his military service reflected the patriotic duty that characterized many educated Poles of his generation. Following the defeat of Polish forces, he was captured and became a prisoner of war, initially taken to the Starobielsk camp, one of three main Soviet POW camps for captured Polish officers.
The Katyn Massacre
According to official records maintained by the Institute of National Remembrance, Władysław's fate was sealed when he was transferred from Starobielsk and subsequently executed with approximately 3,896 Polish officers in Kharkiv in 1940. This execution was part of the broader Katyn Massacre, a systematic elimination of Polish military officers, intellectuals, and civic leaders ordered by Soviet authorities under NKVD Order No. 00308. The loss of Władysław represented not only a personal tragedy but also the destruction of an important cultural lineage that had contributed significantly to Polish intellectual life. He is buried at the Polish military cemetery in Kharkiv, where he rests alongside thousands of other victims of this wartime atrocity.
Anczyc Printing House
Historical Significance
The Anczyc printing house represented more than just a commercial enterprise; it was a cornerstone of Kraków's publishing and cultural landscape. Under the management of the Anczyc family, the printing house had produced numerous important works that contributed to Polish literature, scholarship, and cultural preservation. The establishment had built a reputation for high-quality printing and publishing services that served both local and national markets, playing an important role in the broader context of Kraków's history during this transformative period.
Wartime Resistance Activities
During World War II, the printing house took on a crucial role in the Polish resistance movement. According to testimonies preserved in the Archives of Modern Records in Warsaw, conspiracy organizations used the facility to print forged documents that were essential for helping Polish citizens and partisans survive under occupation. These activities would later be commemorated at institutions like the Home Army Museum. These forged documents included:
- Identity cards and work permits that allowed resistance members to move freely under German occupation
- Travel documents that facilitated escape routes and underground operations
- Official stamps and seals that legitimized various resistance activities
- Underground publications that maintained Polish morale and communication networks
The printing house's contribution to the resistance effort represented a continuation of the Anczyc family's commitment to Polish cultural and national independence, even in the face of extreme danger from Nazi occupation forces. Their work helped protect various persecuted groups, including members of the Jewish community, by providing crucial documentation for survival.
Post-War Destruction and Legacy
The end of the Anczyc printing house came in 1970 when the building was demolished as part of communist-era urban development plans. Historical documentation confirms this destruction resulted in the irreversible loss of many valuable manuscripts, historical documents, and printing equipment that had been accumulated over decades of operation. The demolition marked the definitive end of the Anczyc dynasty's contribution to Kraków's printing industry and represented a significant loss to the city's cultural and historical heritage.
Cultural Impact and Historical Significance
The loss of both Władysław Anczyc and the eventual destruction of the family printing house symbolized the broader tragedy that befell Polish intellectual and cultural institutions during and after World War II. Research conducted by Polish historians demonstrates that private printing houses like the Anczyc establishment played crucial roles in maintaining Polish culture, supporting resistance efforts, and preserving intellectual traditions during one of the most challenging periods in the nation's history.
The Anczyc legacy serves as a documented example of how Polish cultural institutions adapted to wartime conditions, contributing to both national resistance and cultural preservation. Today, Władysław's story stands among other famous Polish figures whose sacrifices are remembered, and artifacts from the family's cultural contributions can be found in institutions such as the Historical Museum of Kraków and the National Museum. Władysław's execution at Kharkiv represents one of thousands of similar losses that decimated Poland's intellectual class, while the later destruction of the printing house reflects the broader pattern of cultural erasure that continued in the post-war period.
Sources and References:
- Institute of National Remembrance (Instytut Pamięci Narodowej) – Katyn Documentation
- National Archives in Kraków (Archiwum Narodowe w Krakowie) – Anczyc Family Records
- Archives of Modern Records, Warsaw – World War II Resistance Documentation
- Polish Academy of Sciences – Historical Research on Kraków Printing Houses