Object numberM2017/007:040
DescriptionHandwritten letter penned by Hermann Elter in Shanghai to the Israel Religious Community in Vienna, 18 February 1948. He informs them he is no longer in a position to pay for his legal fees, citing his age, inability to work and the climate of Shanghai which has made him ill.
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 1948-02-18 - 1948-02-18
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- letter length: 170.00 mm
height: 134.00 mm
Language
- German From: Hermann Elter, Israel Religious Community, Vienna, written Shanghai 18/02 1948.
To: Dear Sirs,
Not being in the position to raise the legal expenses, being sick after years in the Shanghai climate and unable to make a living, on top of which 60 years old, I am respectfully requesting to process the restitution.
Deeply indebted; faithfully, Hermann Elter
Attached: 1 application, 2 photo prints.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Len Mahemoff