Object numberM1995/051:003
DescriptionFrom Lev in London, 10 September 1940, to "My dear ones." The letter starts with the writer anxiously wondering why they have not received any correspondence. They are fine for the moment but are worried about the future. They are not currently interned, but it is difficult to make a living. The sender says they have very bad luck and then goes on to list potential employers who have died.
"We have waited such a terrible long time for a letter from you. What is the matter with you? Are you alright? Is Willy interned? How are you going on? We are very anxious to know everything about you. I tried to send wife and the children to you but without success. So we have to face this cruel ordeal and I am rather worried about Peter and Sherman. Nearly every night we have to take them out of bed to make them as safe as possible. Up to now we are quite alright but nobody can tell what the next hour may bring. I am exempted from the internment but it is absolutely impossible to make a living. I have had too much bad luck. A friend of mine – the inventor of a special glue - died from cancer some days after establishing the company and the genuine formula have gone with him. Another big plywood factory in Ireland was blown up by the collapse of France; a very sound business, representation of Belgium patent –have gone by the occupation of Belgium a.o.c. Each one was extremely good. Now I am in conversation with two companies about a position. I am afraid that everything might be spoiled by the recent bombing. I think you read sufficiently about this –in the papers –Sherman is now alright and a nice sweet boy with curly fair hair and big blue eyes. We did not hear anything from our family for weeks even months. Did you hear anything from Louis and his family? Do me a favour and answer immediately."
"We have waited such a terrible long time for a letter from you. What is the matter with you? Are you alright? Is Willy interned? How are you going on? We are very anxious to know everything about you. I tried to send wife and the children to you but without success. So we have to face this cruel ordeal and I am rather worried about Peter and Sherman. Nearly every night we have to take them out of bed to make them as safe as possible. Up to now we are quite alright but nobody can tell what the next hour may bring. I am exempted from the internment but it is absolutely impossible to make a living. I have had too much bad luck. A friend of mine – the inventor of a special glue - died from cancer some days after establishing the company and the genuine formula have gone with him. Another big plywood factory in Ireland was blown up by the collapse of France; a very sound business, representation of Belgium patent –have gone by the occupation of Belgium a.o.c. Each one was extremely good. Now I am in conversation with two companies about a position. I am afraid that everything might be spoiled by the recent bombing. I think you read sufficiently about this –in the papers –Sherman is now alright and a nice sweet boy with curly fair hair and big blue eyes. We did not hear anything from our family for weeks even months. Did you hear anything from Louis and his family? Do me a favour and answer immediately."
Production placeLondon, England
Production date 1940-09-10
Subjectimmigration, signs of life, refugees, enemy aliens
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 200.00 mm
height: 252.00 mm
Language
- English 26 Vincent Court, London N.W.Y
Green Lan(e) 10th September 1940
My dear ones,
We have waited such a terrible long time for a letter from you. What is the matter with you? Are you alright? Is Willy interned? How are you going on? We are very anxious to know everything about you. I tried to send wife and the children to you but without success. So we have to face this cruel ordeal and I am rather worried about Peter and Sherman. Nearly every night we have to take them out of bed to make them as safe as possible. Up to now we are quite alright but nobody can tell what the next hour may bring. I am exempted from the internment but it is absolutely impossible to make a living. I have had too much bad luck. A friend of mine – the inventor of a special glue - died from cancer some days after establishing the company and the genuine formula have gone with him. Another big plywood factory in Ireland was blown up by the collapse of France; a very sound business, representation of Belgium patent –have gone by the occupation of Belgium a.o.c. Each one was extremely good. Now I am in conversation with two companies about a position. I am afraid that everything might be spoiled by the recent bombing. I think you read sufficiently about this –in the papers –Sherman is now alright and a nice sweet boy with curly fair hair and big blue eyes. We did not hear anything from our family for weeks even months. Did you hear anything from Louis and his family? Do me a favour and answer immediately.
Our best wishes and love.
Yours Lev
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jacqie Hilmer