Postcard from Manneberg family in Berlin to Inge Herrmann
Object numberM2020/023:077
TitlePostcard from Manneberg family in Berlin to Inge Herrmann
DescriptionPostcard from the Manneberg family in Charlottenburg, Berlin, to Inge Herrmann onboard the SS Oronsay to Sydney on 8 September 1938. Inge was in the process of immigrating from Germany. This card is in reply to a letter sent to the family from Inge while she was in Naples. They write that they are glad Inge is doing well on the ship and progressing with her English. They also wish Inge a good life in Australia and hope she can be reunited with her parents. The postcard contains a very brief message at the bottom from Lydia, perhaps a friend of Inge's.
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Production placeGermany
Production date 1938-09-08
Subjectfriendships, loved ones' contact, immigration, families
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 103.00 mm
Language
- German Sender. Manneberg [ILLEGIBLE ADDRESS]
Stamped: Berlin, Charlottenburg 2
Postcard, sent from Berlin 8.9.38 addressed to Ms (Mrs was corrected) Inge-Ruth Herrmann
Stamped: Colombo
Colombo India (crossed out in red)
c/o Steamer Oronsay
Orient Line
Eta: 17.9.38 in Colombo (crossed out)
C/ Sydney
c/o 11 Bond St
[TYPED]
Berlin, 7.7.1938
My dear, dear Inge,
Your card from Naples arrived today. I rushed to thank you and to tell you how happy we are that you are happy and in a good mood. May it always be like this. You obviously didnt get seasick? We are already looking forward to your detailed letter. When you receive this card you have half the voyage behind you and your new home ahead of you. We are with you in thought all the time. Surely you are quite tanned by now, I would have loved to see your eyes as you were taking in all the beauty. Do you have pleasant company? How is Gisela, is she happy? And how are you coping with the English language? We are as always, not any better, not any worse. This year you are spending the holidays (lit. our holidays, may refer to Jewish holy days) on the ship, that will be a memory for the rest of your life.
[HANDWRITTEN]
Now you are facing a totally new life. I wish all of us wish every possible best from the bottom of our hearts, a happy future, a life without any worries and a reunion with your
.. and God willing with all of us.
I embrace you, with love your
[IN MARGIN]
Dear Inge, I so want to send you cordial greetings, I hope you have a good voyage.
Cordially, your Lydia
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kim Poppert
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.