Permission letter to travel to Sedlcany, 1938
Object numberM2025/072:041
TitlePermission letter to travel to Sedlcany, 1938
DescriptionConfirmation letter from the Town Office of Sedlcany, Czechoslovakia sent in July 1938. It confirms the Lederer family are able to travel from Vienna to visit Mr Frantiske Herman for three months.
Collection of material relating to Arthur, Valerie and Walter Lederer including correspondence to notable people and organisations outside Austria asking for help to immigrate, as well as certificates, photographs and official documents.
Arthur Lederer was born in Vienna, Austria in 1889. Married to Valerie Hermannova, the couple had one son, Walter in 1923. As a skilled tailor, Arthur was well connected in society, co-owning the business Schlaf & Sohne which catered to European royalty and members of high society.
After the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in March 1938, the Lederer family were forced to seek new arrangements. From April 1938, Arthur contacted business and personal acquaintances as well as refugee organisations to attempt to find a means of escape. As he stated in many of his letters, as a ‘full Jew’ he did not meet the racial laws and was forced to sell his business back to his partner. Over the course of the months of 1938, he writes to individuals in England, United States, Canada, India, Japan, Uruguay, Paraguay, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and Greece. Whilst understanding of his plea, most reply they cannot help.
Ultimately, the family are able to firstly relocate to Prague, Czechoslovakia in November 1938. During this time the Lederers await confirmation of approval to immigrate out of Europe. As they wait, Arthur continued to reach out to businesses in various countries requesting employment as well as the possibility of work as a representative agent. In many cases, his requests are politely declined due to a lack of need and concerns over world politics.
Eventually, through the assistance of American heiress, Countess Margaret Muriel White Seherr-Thoss and Lady Max Muller, wife of the British Ambassador to Spain, the family were able to travel to London at the beginning of 1939. Lady Max Muller provided them with tickets to Australia and the £300 arrival money required by the Australian Government.
The family travelled to Australia on the Orient liner SS ORAMA, which departed Toulon, France on 17 June 1939. Due to international political tensions, the Lederers were unable to transport the entirety of their possessions to Australia. They would not be able to receive these until well after the war concluded.
Upon arrival in Australia, the family were registered as enemy aliens, but due to their skills were allowed to continue in Sydney, permitted to travel and contribute to the war effort. Arthur’s health declined during the war, and he passed away. Valerie passed away in 1967. Walter married Jean and continued in the tailoring profession. He passed away in 1993.
Collection of material relating to Arthur, Valerie and Walter Lederer including correspondence to notable people and organisations outside Austria asking for help to immigrate, as well as certificates, photographs and official documents.
Arthur Lederer was born in Vienna, Austria in 1889. Married to Valerie Hermannova, the couple had one son, Walter in 1923. As a skilled tailor, Arthur was well connected in society, co-owning the business Schlaf & Sohne which catered to European royalty and members of high society.
After the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in March 1938, the Lederer family were forced to seek new arrangements. From April 1938, Arthur contacted business and personal acquaintances as well as refugee organisations to attempt to find a means of escape. As he stated in many of his letters, as a ‘full Jew’ he did not meet the racial laws and was forced to sell his business back to his partner. Over the course of the months of 1938, he writes to individuals in England, United States, Canada, India, Japan, Uruguay, Paraguay, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and Greece. Whilst understanding of his plea, most reply they cannot help.
Ultimately, the family are able to firstly relocate to Prague, Czechoslovakia in November 1938. During this time the Lederers await confirmation of approval to immigrate out of Europe. As they wait, Arthur continued to reach out to businesses in various countries requesting employment as well as the possibility of work as a representative agent. In many cases, his requests are politely declined due to a lack of need and concerns over world politics.
Eventually, through the assistance of American heiress, Countess Margaret Muriel White Seherr-Thoss and Lady Max Muller, wife of the British Ambassador to Spain, the family were able to travel to London at the beginning of 1939. Lady Max Muller provided them with tickets to Australia and the £300 arrival money required by the Australian Government.
The family travelled to Australia on the Orient liner SS ORAMA, which departed Toulon, France on 17 June 1939. Due to international political tensions, the Lederers were unable to transport the entirety of their possessions to Australia. They would not be able to receive these until well after the war concluded.
Upon arrival in Australia, the family were registered as enemy aliens, but due to their skills were allowed to continue in Sydney, permitted to travel and contribute to the war effort. Arthur’s health declined during the war, and he passed away. Valerie passed away in 1967. Walter married Jean and continued in the tailoring profession. He passed away in 1993.
Production placeCzech Republic
Production date 1938-07
Production periodpre-World War II
Subjectdesperation, immigration, tailors, escape pre-war
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Techniquehandwritten, typewritten
Dimensions
- height: 301.00 mm
width: 213.00 mm
Language
- Czech
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum collection, donated by Jean Lederer.
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.