Descent into Nazism Objects
Case 1
I will note which of these objects have been professionally photographed and link to a 1280x1280 version of those photos
Case 1, Section 1
Arm Band
Professionally photographed
A. Arbeitsfront pin. Every youngster at age 18 was obligated to do compulsory work
B. Labor pin for 1934. Note hammer and sickle
C. Air Force pin
D. Medal worn by average German soldier
E. 1935 medal honoring ten year [sic] Nazi Party service
F. Labor pin for 1935. "Workers of the First, Intellect, Agriculture"
G. Agriculture pin
H. Pin given to people who donated money to the Nazi Party for repatriation of Alsace
I. Pin given to people who donated money to the Nazi Party for repatriation of Alsace
J. Pin worn by woman's auxiliary of Nazi Party
Issues of DER SCHULUNGSBRIEF, a manual for the indoctrination of Nazi Party doctrines
Case 1, Section 2
Fifty Million Mark note
Professionally photographed
Label: 1939 edition of MEIN KAMPF (My Struggle), written by Adolf Hitler while he was confined in the Landsberg prison in 1924. This virulently anti-Semetic [sic] political treatise sold millions of copies and is still be published today
Professionally photographed (Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4)
DEUTSCHLAND ERWACHT, a photographic propaganda album extolling German superiority, culture and life
Professionally photographed (Exhibited page and Cover)
Note: I don't think this label accurately describes what is in the book
Case 1, Section 3
DER STURMER, (The Attack) was a crude, anti-Semetic [sic] paper first published in 1923 by Julius Streicher. It enjoyed a wide readership and proudly broadcast on the front page of every issue, "Die Juden sind unser Ungluck," The Jews are our misfortune.
Anti-Semetic [sic] poster warning against Jewish influence.
ID booklet for compulsory German work service.
Document proving Aryan descent.
Article on teaching racial classification of family ties in a German magazine published in 1935.
Children's story book depicting racial stereotypes.
Professionally photographed, Exhibited page, Cover, and Back cover (we photographed every page so those are available if needed/wanted)
Note: We have a lot more information about this. Our education team uses this a lot.
Case 1, Section 4
Artwork by German school students depicting Nazi party politics.
Issue of SOCIAL JUSTICE, published by Reverend Charles E. Coughlin, a Roman Catholic priest. He began publishing this weekly newspaper in which he blamed Jews for their persecution at the hands of the Nazis.
Professionally photographed, Cover and Back cover
Publications of Reverend Charles E. Coughlin, 1891-1979, a Roman Catholic priest from Royal Oak, Michigan who aired anti-Semetic [sic] speeches to a weekly audience of approximately 16 million listeners during his program "The Golden Hour of the Shrine of the Little Flower."
Professionally photographed, A Series of Lectures, Sixteen Radio Lectures, and An Answer to Father Coughlin's Critics
Article in the Dearborn Independent, 1923
Professionally photographed, Cover, Back cover, Table of contents, Exhibited pages
Note: This needs a LOT more context including the connection to the publication of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
Issues of Razza, an Italian anti-Semetic [sic] periodical.
Case 1, Section 5
Adolf Hitler Plaque. Inscription reads: "I believe in Germany and fight for it today and tomorrow and in the future until victory is ours." Artist: W. Wolff, 1933
Label: Armbands
A. High Ranking Nazi Party Official
B. Standard Nazi
C. Sturmabteiling (Brownshirts)
D. German Army
E. German Airforce
F. Railroad Security Guard
G. Air Raid Warden for factory
Professionally photographed individually
Nazi Flag
Note: We have about 30 of these
Book Burning Diorama
Case 2, 1936 Olympics
This is a very small case, but it stands alone
1936 Berlin Summer Olympics pin, manufactured by H. Osang, Dresden.
"Jood" badge worn by Simon Pettit, Jewish long-distance runner representing the Netherlands in the Berlin 1936 Olympics .
German book, OLYMPIA 1936 describing the 1936 Olympic games. Note the German eagle holding the five rings of the Olympic logo in the gold emblem.
Case 3, Escape
Note: Hans was on the Kindertransport and I have digitized versions of a lot of his documents. These include report cards from the Gymnasium he attended, and his free travel pass to the new school he was forced to go to after being kicked out of the Gymnasium for being Jewish. Some of the scans are here. These are not listed in the accessions because they were not donated to us yet, however I believe he would be willing to donate them if we were to ask.
We found a large number of quite powerful Kindertransport related objects that were loaned to us for a recent show that we could possibly have longer term access to. I will try to compile a list.
Certificate of Good Conduct
Affidavit from German police department certifying Hans Robert Weinmann has no criminal record. It was valid for three months from the date of issue. This document was required for emigration [Note: During the Nazi period, Jewish men in Germany were required to add "Israel" to their name].
Gift of Hans Weinmann
HMC permanent collection [AR 512]
Case 4
Gewehr 98, but doesn't have a label
We have a lot of weapons, and most don't have provenance. We received a bunch of them from the police department after they were seized from a home
Case 5 - Ghettos
Professionally photographed, One Mark, 50 Pfennig, 20 Mark (I also have the backs if needed)
Note: I would really like to figure out a way to feature this. Unfortunately it has been laminated.
Label: Postcard revealing desperate situation of a wife living on Gesia Street in the Warsaw Ghetto, writing to her husband in Detroit. The wife, Mrs. Goldstein, was in the ghetto with their son, Chaimek, and pleads with her husband to send food and money.
Translation from Polish: Beloved Azryel, Today I received your letter. Every week I write to you a post card. Azryel, it is not surprising that you worry about me and our child because a few of my letters have come back. I wrote to you that I received 3 food parcels but that was 5 months ago. To tell the truth I thought that every week you will try to send me parcels and money. And you are waiting for my reply. Actually, I can understand you, Azryel, you must make all efforts -- censored line -- if it is difficult for you to send parcels then send money. My family can not help me out. You are appealing to them in vain. Azryel, you should know that if they had the means, they would do anything fo rme. But they can not help me out with anything. Why, when you send me money do you send so little? Every week I must receive from you at least 100 zlotys. The latest 110 zlotys I have not received yet even though I was notified by Berlin, and 3 weeks went by and I did not get the money. Understand my worry -- Censored line -- I must confess to you that very little -- Illegible because of censored line -- and about Chaimek. I shall stop writing because it is very hard for me to write you. Don't send any more coupons. You only ask about mine and Chaimek's health. But to be healthy one must have money.
Regards from father. Balcia
Professionally photographed, Inside and Cover/Back
Professionally photographed, Exhibited pages and Cover/Back
We do not have the original of this.
Professionally photographed #1 (Top) Front, #1 Back, #2 (Bottom) Front, #2 Back)
Label: Yiddish letter from Joel Schiffer living in the Krakow ghetto to his aunt Ann Hirshman in Detroit, pleading with his family for assistance.
Translation:
Krakow, VIII 16
Dear Auntie and Loving Cousins,
First of all, I am writing to you about our health. It is always to hear from you. Dear Auntie, do not be angry that I did no inquire a whole summer about your health. It is because I am extremely busy with earning a living. We are experiencing very bad times now. We can not earn a living and nothing is improving!
Dear Auntie and dear cousins, do not be angry and do not be resentful about what I am writing you. Perhaps it is possible for you to send me an old suit because mine is very torn and I am not able to make new clothing. I am not earning anything. The holidays are coming and I am embarrassed to go to pray with the torn clothing. May G-d help me so that I do not have to trouble you.
May I be able to write to you good letters. Please let Auntie write to me how her health is and how everything is with the dear cousins.
My mother is thank G-d healthy. She sends her heartiest regards.
Dear cousins, I beg of you, please do not ignore this because I am in a bad situation, now with the holidays. May G-d give you, and the dear Auntie, may she live, a blessing that you should never know any harm because you are keeping me alive.
I have very little work. I beg you that when you receive this, please send to my address. I close my writing. I send regards to dear Auntie, and heartiest regards to my cousins. Also, sincere regards from my loving wife and child.
From me, your devoted nephew, Yoel.
My address is
Joel Schiffer
Krakow XXII
ul. Kalwaryjska 24
Poland
Professionally photographed, Front and Back
Resistance Diorama
I know this is hard to see
Wannsee Installation
This is the Wannsee area. The objects inside are not labeled, and I am uncertain of their historical significance. I suspect they are historical but not associated with Wannsee
