Object numberM2018/008:054
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.
This letter, written by Leo from Sydney, was destined for his parents via his friend Hans Kohn in Zurich canton, Switzerland, yet was returned by the postal authorities with the envelope stamped on both sides with the return to sender symbol. In the letter that was never to reach his parents, Leo writes that he is glad that they liked the look of the young woman – his future wife Betty Woolf – in the photo he sent them in his last letter. The letter also mentions their plans to join "Aunt Juli", in either Czechoslovakia or Yugoslavia, to escape fascist-controlled Vienna. These plans were never to be realised.
Tragically, all three of Leo's immediate family members from Vienna would perish during WWII.
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.
This letter, written by Leo from Sydney, was destined for his parents via his friend Hans Kohn in Zurich canton, Switzerland, yet was returned by the postal authorities with the envelope stamped on both sides with the return to sender symbol. In the letter that was never to reach his parents, Leo writes that he is glad that they liked the look of the young woman – his future wife Betty Woolf – in the photo he sent them in his last letter. The letter also mentions their plans to join "Aunt Juli", in either Czechoslovakia or Yugoslavia, to escape fascist-controlled Vienna. These plans were never to be realised.
Tragically, all three of Leo's immediate family members from Vienna would perish during WWII.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1940-04-29 - 1940-04-29
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, refugee experiences in Australia, rebuilding lives, censorship, censored letter, Jews in Vienna
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 249.00 mm
letter width: 199.00 mm
envelope length: 141.00 mm
envelope width: 90.00 mm
chit (i) length: 203.00 mm
chit (i) width: 68.00 mm
chit (ii) length: 209.00 mm
chit (ii) width: 51.00 mm
Language
- German My dears,
I was very pleased to get your nice letter from 19.3, and the most important thing is that you are well.
So you got a card from Pauli saying he is leaving soon; so now he is surely setting off on a long journey, and I hope to hear from him soon as well. I am happy that you got the pictures from dear Aunt Pepi. I also transferred her some money. So, you liked the girl from the picture; she is a local and my best friend.
What is happening with your journey? It is already the end of April and I hope that you will be leaving soon.
I spent Pesach with the girl and her parents.
If Aunt Anna writes to me again, I’ll tell her that I also have payments to make. I paid my journey back to the firm a while ago. You wrote that when you two and Pauli make it to Aunt Juli’s you’ll need money from the start, given that G-d shall help you to get so far.
I also wrote to Bernhard. It is easy to make oneself independent in his profession.
I picked up some clothes and bedding for myself, and bought myself a nice cabinet. The moths can’t get to anything because I put a lot of naphthalene flakes everywhere.
My dear Spatzchen[term of endearment; little sparrow] and Tati, when you go to Aunt Juli, you will then surely be able to come and join me. What a happy day that will be. In the meantime I just want to hear that you have left already. So, my loves, today I have nothing more to write so take care of yourselves and stay well. Write soon and also write to me if you need anything,
A thousand kisses,
Your Leo.
The 12th of May is mothers’ day and I wish, my dear Mama, that you remain in good health, and Tato as well, and that you will soon be with Aunt Juli.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit