Object numberM2018/008:024
DescriptionIn March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
As soon as Leo is established in Australia, friends and relatives are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is from Leo's cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, who is still staying in the refugee camp in Fallanden, Switzerland, where Leo also lived previously, with shorter notes from a couple of mutual friends, Otto and Fred. Hans expresses his gratitude that Leo has managed to secure a job contract for him in Australia, and asks if Leo could apply for another friend as well. Otto writes that he is travelling on the next transport to Shanghai. In this case, Leo is ultimately unable to secure a landing permit for Hans to travel to Australia, despite Hans' work contract.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
As soon as Leo is established in Australia, friends and relatives are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is from Leo's cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, who is still staying in the refugee camp in Fallanden, Switzerland, where Leo also lived previously, with shorter notes from a couple of mutual friends, Otto and Fred. Hans expresses his gratitude that Leo has managed to secure a job contract for him in Australia, and asks if Leo could apply for another friend as well. Otto writes that he is travelling on the next transport to Shanghai. In this case, Leo is ultimately unable to secure a landing permit for Hans to travel to Australia, despite Hans' work contract.
Production placeZürich, Switzerland
Production date 1939-02-27 - 1939-02-27
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, visa application, refugee camps, refugee experiences in Australia, landing permit, Shanghai, China
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 208.00 mm
letter width: 147.00 mm
envelope length: 162.00 mm
envelope width: 115.00 mm
Language
- German My dear Leo!
It was with the greatest joy of my life that I received your lovely card from Melbourne, as well as your lovely letter. You could not imagine my pleasure, dear Leo, in that you succeeded in granting me right of entry with a work contract. I can only say that I will be forever grateful towards you in this life, and will always endeavour to help you in any way I can. I will reciprocate the favour to you as soon as I am re-established in ordinary life. As long as everything goes to plan in Canberra, we will sooner or later be together. I can’t wait to see you again, just like we wished for when we parted ways.
Dear Leo, tell me in your next letter what the next steps are for me. And also what to do about the ship deposit. Go to see Mr Gilbert now and then to keep yourself informed on how things stand – maybe you could find out how your boss managed it – and to ensure that I definitely receive my permit.
I am constantly exchanging letters with your parents. Today the same post that brought your letter also brought ones from my grandparents and from your dear mother and father. Your loved ones tell me that you will help me with everything. You have already done so, and at such a remarkable speed too. I will send your loved ones your address immediately. I also received post from the dear Bernhard today, where he tells me that he wrote to you.
I am happy that they are happy with you at work. We’ll put all our good ideas to use until we are together again in Sydney. I will send off a thank you letter to Mr Gilbert in the same post bundle.
Dear Leo, I come to you once again with a request which you should grant to me if it is in your power. And so: dear Fred has no prospects and has received no permit or affidavit for the USA. Maybe you could do something for him? We would love to see us four friends to be happily together again in Sydney. The dear Fred was good to you, especially in Vienna where he helped you out. Please forget, dear Leo, the quarrel with which you two parted. And help him if possible.
As for my person, I am going well and am in good health, and hope that the same applies to you. Write to me soon please and thoroughly. Please send airmail; I can’t wait so long for a reply. Grant me my request. And report soon whether you can do anything for Fred.
Greetings and kisses,
Your friend Hansi.
[different handwriting] Best greetings from Fred.
[different handwriting again] I thank you many times over the way you have helped Hansi. I should be leaving soon for Shanghai. Regards, Otto.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit