Object numberM2017/007:030
DescriptionLetter to Franz Pete in Vienna, from Hermann Elter in Shanghai, dated 23 January 1947. He provides further details regarding his two co-owned realities Aryanised by the Nazis. Hermann also mentions the fate of his brother and sister-in-law and asks for help in obtaining futher information.
Herman Elter was born 2 July 1888, in Kreszowice, Poland. Prior to WWI, he relocated to Vienna. Hermann served in the Austro-Hungarian Army throughout the conflict and on the 20 August, 1917 he was awarded a bronze medal for bravery. That same year, September 12, he married Regine Preczelmajer at the Israelite military pastoral care in Vienna. Post-war, his service entitled him to Austrian citizenship, granted also to his wife and daughter, Gertrude.
In the inter-war years, he became a merchant, opening a delicatessen which bore his name on the shopfront. Photos in the collection suggest there was been another deli co-owned by Hermann and his brother David Elter; perhaps they were partners in both enterprises. The brothers traded until the Anschluss. As well as his trading interests, Hermann was also co-owner of two realties, in an arrangement whereby he shared ownership with his brother David and another gentleman by the name of Aron Welner.
In 1939, Hermann took his wife and two young daughters and fled to Shanghai. Prior to this, he had obtained a police clearance in December 1938 to leave Austria for Australia but the journey was not fulfilled. Before leaving, he handed administration of his assets to a man called Anton Wopicka.
The documents and photographs pertaining to Hermann Elter were donated as part of deceased estate involving his son-in-law, Denis Carver. The majority of items relating to Hermann revolve around his restitution claim and his unceasing effort to have ownership of his property restored. The Elter family immigrated to Australia in 1949; Hermann died, 10 October 1951 in Bondi. He never won his compensation claim.
Herman Elter was born 2 July 1888, in Kreszowice, Poland. Prior to WWI, he relocated to Vienna. Hermann served in the Austro-Hungarian Army throughout the conflict and on the 20 August, 1917 he was awarded a bronze medal for bravery. That same year, September 12, he married Regine Preczelmajer at the Israelite military pastoral care in Vienna. Post-war, his service entitled him to Austrian citizenship, granted also to his wife and daughter, Gertrude.
In the inter-war years, he became a merchant, opening a delicatessen which bore his name on the shopfront. Photos in the collection suggest there was been another deli co-owned by Hermann and his brother David Elter; perhaps they were partners in both enterprises. The brothers traded until the Anschluss. As well as his trading interests, Hermann was also co-owner of two realties, in an arrangement whereby he shared ownership with his brother David and another gentleman by the name of Aron Welner.
In 1939, Hermann took his wife and two young daughters and fled to Shanghai. Prior to this, he had obtained a police clearance in December 1938 to leave Austria for Australia but the journey was not fulfilled. Before leaving, he handed administration of his assets to a man called Anton Wopicka.
The documents and photographs pertaining to Hermann Elter were donated as part of deceased estate involving his son-in-law, Denis Carver. The majority of items relating to Hermann revolve around his restitution claim and his unceasing effort to have ownership of his property restored. The Elter family immigrated to Australia in 1949; Hermann died, 10 October 1951 in Bondi. He never won his compensation claim.
Production date 1947-01-23 - 1947-01-23
Subjectrestitution, victims, Aryanisation
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Techniqueprinted
Dimensions
- width: 213.00 mm
height: 271.00 mm
Language
- German PARTIAL TRANSLATION
I told my partners weeks ago and told them to do the same to bring the houses back under an administration, i. Mr. Welner is currently in Melbourne and the children of my brother, who has been missing for years, appearing as heirs, in London, I have no answer from them, probably these days will come to you as well as to me.
The name of my brother, of whom I have heard nothing since 1941, is David Elter, his last address, Wein II, Haasgasse 8 Or 16, was the same as a house painter to the worshiping community, as his children tell me, unfortunately, with his wife deported to Theresienstadt, I would be very grateful if you could learn more about this matter.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Len Mahemoff