Description:

'J'-STAMPED PASSPORT OF ESCAPED JEWISH TEENAGER
A shocking German passport issued to a Jewish student 'Oskar Lewin', issued the name 'Israel' by law and stamped with a large, faded red 'J' on the first page. The 'reisepass' was issued to Lewin, then just 17 years-old, in Frankfurt on August 15, 1938. Quite well-stamped, the fourth page bears authorization from the Reich for a one-way trip to England, marking the German passport as expired on May 31, 1939. Later pages show a visa stamp from the British Vice Consul authorizing his entrance into England and a stamp permitting his entrance to Harwick on Nov. 24, 1938, so long as he remains in England for less than three months and certainly not welcoming him permanently. Strangely, the German consulate in Liverpool delayed the expiration of his German passport for an additional year until September 1939 (coincidentally the month of the outbreak of World War II), likely arranging his return to Nazi Germany in case no other country accepted him permanently. The following page bears an extension to the British deadline, permitting Lewin to remain in England until February 24, 1940, certainly authorized due to the rising potential for war or stamped after its outbreak. No further stamps indicate he was permanently accepted by any country, thus we can reasonably conclude that Lewin was likely to be returned to Germany - a sure death sentence - unless the outbreak of war saved him. Covers loose, overall worn and used, though stamps and inscriptions are clearly legible. One of the most shocking Jewish passports we have ever offered.

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August 24, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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