Restitution documents
Object numberM2003/021:150
TitleRestitution documents
DescriptionBundle of documents, in German, similar to M2003/021:146, with handwritten notes on small piece of paper, stapled together with a cloth yellow Star of David taped to the front, also taped inside is an ad for the United Restitution Organisation's office in Sydney. These documents relate to Charlotte Lutufmen's restitution claims for funds and property lost during WWII.
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.
SubjectStar of David, post World War II, liberation, survivors, restitution, stolen property, segregation
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 300.00 mm
Language
- German This is a collection of 23 separate pages of legal material dealing with itemized assets of the Alfred Ostertag by a consultant banker, Mr Heinz Bauermeister, of Hannover 8/II Stolzestrasse in 1946. The documents constitute a restitution claim. A personal yellow ‘Jude’ Star of David badge accompanies the documents.
Most of the correspondence is addressed to a Miss Charlotte Ostertag, 12 C Kolberg Strasse, Hannover. From correspondence it appears that Miss Ostertag’s father Alfred may have been a stock broker. Heinz Bauermeister in 1946 is consulting with the Dresdner Bank.
The lists of assets include:
- Personal household items such as blankets, vacuum cleaner etc.
- Some 27 diverse parcels of stocks and shares with estimated values.
- Correspondence to Miss Ostertag concerning Compensation Payments for citizens affected by loss of citizenship and forced displacement as far back as 1938. All these claims are listed in minute detail. More transactions are shown in 1942.
- Correspondence covering assets lodged with Miss Ostertag’s father Alfred Ostertag
- A faded hand-written document shows some gold and silver items under the letterhead M. Kahn and Sons, Manufacturers of Bedding Feathers.
- A detailed list of 25 Gold and Silver Jewellery and household items.
- 8 more pencilled lists of items with full value under M. Kahn letterhead with attached newspaper business address of United Restitution Organisation at 793 George Street Sydney.
- a pen written list of 5 items of shares (?) with values showing amongst others Dresdner Bank.
- A Power of Attorney signed by Charlotte Ostertag to Businessman Harry Trenzinger at Hannover, dated 08/08/1946.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett