Object numberM2003/021:049
DescriptionPostcard with a colour illustration of a cockroache walking down a path carrying a red umbrella, wearing a green hat and holding a flower posie over his shouder. On the back is a message in black ink from Charlotte to Max. Franked 02.05.1940 and bears the 'passed' stamp of Nazi censorship as well as the stamp of the German Red Cross. See inscriptions/marks for translation. This is part of the correspondence between Charlotte Ostertag and her fiance Max Loewenstein prior to the war when he was living in Turkey.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
Production placeHannover, Germany
Production date 1940-05-02
SubjectPre-war life, families, survivors, loved ones' contact
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 90.00 mm
height: 140.00 mm
Language
- German My dear, dear Maximum,
As it is the day of the …, I feel obliged to wish you for this f. f. (much enjoyment) for this purpose. Mr Monikin? has already gone on a tour. Unfortunately we cannot join in it due to our cold …, only daddy called … our little … I remained at home as there are some sort of things to do. This morning both of your dear and beautiful cards of 22 & 24 March arrived, for which I am glad and I say thank you very much. Now I take you … and we greet you heartily. Your (no further text is shown on the photocopy for the translator to read).
The rubber stamp reads: Checked, Main army compound.
The post card is undated, but postmarked 2.5.40
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett