Object numberM2018/008:044
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.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Around this time, Leo also writes to one Mr Trimlay, whom he met on the train to Zurich the year before, asking if he could perhaps help his brother by securing him a job in Bombay, India, along with a visa, since Paul Steiner’s request for entry was denied by the Australian authorities. In this letter, Trimlay apologises for his late response and promises to do what he can for Paul Steiner. Enclosed is also a handwritten draft response Leo wrote along with an unsigned carbon copy of the same draft, typed.
Paul Steiner would eventually perish at the hands of fascist insurgents in Yugoslavia, where he stayed for a time with a youth movement which had been attempting to reach Palestine.
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.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
Around this time, Leo also writes to one Mr Trimlay, whom he met on the train to Zurich the year before, asking if he could perhaps help his brother by securing him a job in Bombay, India, along with a visa, since Paul Steiner’s request for entry was denied by the Australian authorities. In this letter, Trimlay apologises for his late response and promises to do what he can for Paul Steiner. Enclosed is also a handwritten draft response Leo wrote along with an unsigned carbon copy of the same draft, typed.
Paul Steiner would eventually perish at the hands of fascist insurgents in Yugoslavia, where he stayed for a time with a youth movement which had been attempting to reach Palestine.
Production placeBombay, India, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1939-08-23 - 1939-08-23 1939-10-16 - 1939-10-16
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, family life, Visa Refusal, landing permit, visa application, refugee experiences in Australia
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter (A5) length: 249.00 mm
letter (A5) width: 159.00 mm
letter (handwriten) length: 250.00 mm
letter (handwritten) width: 202.00 mm
letter (typed draft) length: 298.00 mm
letter (typed draft) width: 211.00 mm
envelope length: 175.00 mm
envelope width: 113.00 mm
Language
- English N/A
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit