Object numberM2018/008:089
Description
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Leo purchases the premises for his own small jewellery business in November, 1944 – Leo Steiner Jewellers and Goldsmiths Pty Ltd on Castlereagh Street, Sydney. After buying the shop, he does not start trading immediately but begins a year’s worth of work to craft enough jewellery pieces to fill the small shop window before opening its doors to the public. During his apprenticeship in Vienna, Leo was taught to destroy pieces that were imperfect and to start again from scratch. As a result, his assiduous work ethic as well as his wife Betty’s training in bookkeeping assure their commercial success. Amongst the Steiners’ clientele are members of the influential Packer family. This business card is from the shop's first location at 158 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Leo purchases the premises for his own small jewellery business in November, 1944 – Leo Steiner Jewellers and Goldsmiths Pty Ltd on Castlereagh Street, Sydney. After buying the shop, he does not start trading immediately but begins a year’s worth of work to craft enough jewellery pieces to fill the small shop window before opening its doors to the public. During his apprenticeship in Vienna, Leo was taught to destroy pieces that were imperfect and to start again from scratch. As a result, his assiduous work ethic as well as his wife Betty’s training in bookkeeping assure their commercial success. Amongst the Steiners’ clientele are members of the influential Packer family. This business card is from the shop's first location at 158 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1944 - 1950
Object namebusiness cards
Dimensions
- length: 87.00 mm
width: 52.00 mm
Language
- English N/A
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit