Description:

A worn "Jude" Star of David and an important grouping of documents related to German Jew Leo Sternfeld, born Aug. 9, 1889 and who managed to survive the war, living near Tempelhof Airport in Berlin. Included in the grouping is a yellow cloth Star of David, 3.5 in. wide, imprinted with "Jude" ("Jew") as were all such German identifying patches. The patch is mounted to a blue card. Cloth and ink are correct. Also present is: Sternfeld's International Refugee Organization Certificate of IRO Eligibility, 2pp. 12mo., Berlin, Nov. 30, 1949. Sternfeld was accompanied by his wife, was living in the U.S. Sector of Berlin since 1945, and was to be afforded "Legal and Political Protection Only" WITH: Sternfeld's "Ausweis fur Verfolgte der nationalsozialistischen Sondergesetzgebung" ("Identity card for those persecuted under National Socialist special legislation"), 4pp. 12mo., issued in Berlin, Dec. 11, 1946 WITH: Sternfeld's identity card as a member of the "Opfer der Faschismus KZ" ("Victims of Fascism KZ"), 4pp. 12mo., issued in Berlin on Oct. 23, 1948 WITH: Sternfeld's membership card in the "Bund der Verfolgten des Naziregimes" ("League of Persecuted by the Nazi Regime"). Overall very good. Sternfeld is mentioned in historian Cornelius Ryan's account of the taking of Berlin, "The Last Battle". He mentions Sternfeld by name, noting that he was a Tempelhof businessman and half-Jewish, forced by the SS to work as a garbageman. As a Jew, he was shunned by his neighbors, but as the Russian shelling commenced, he was avidly welcomed as a "token" into the shelters. Once Russians overran Tempelhof, he happily offered them the use of his home - at least the rooms that still had a ceiling remaining. The Russians brought food, music, and vodka - Sternfeld claimed it was the first time in years he felt alive.

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March 31, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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