Description:

GERMAN CONSUL-GENERAL TO KOBE-OSAKA KARL BALSER'S SCRAPBOOK
A scrapbook, notes, letters and other ephemera related to the service of KARL BALSER as Germany's Minister and Consul-General for Kobe and Osaka during the period of 1937 to October, 1944. The largest part of the group is a scrapbook of Japanese newspaper clipping, almost all in English (from the Japan Chronicle), which describe Balser's duties, quote him, and more interestingly, document the life of a German diplomat living among his military allies in Japan. One of the first articles, from November, 1938, quotes Balser as he skirts the "very delicate subject" of the Jews in Germany and the "difficulty Germany is facing with regard to the Jews". Other articles mention mobilization in light of the invasion of Poland, Balser meeting with his American counterpart to discuss the sinking of the Athenia, arrival of German evacuees, praise for the capture of Singapore, and later things turning sour, with Balser declaring: "...Germany, too, is busy preparing...to push the battlefront back to France...The anti-Axis has yet to experience the most furious onslaughts of the Nippon and German forces...". Most of the clippings concern the myriad social functions and meetings attended by Balser. Also present is a Hitler photo and propaganda card, three letters sent by a daughter (untranslated), typed poetry, and a letter in Japanese. Very good.

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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