Description:

(1908 - 1974) German industrialist and black marketeer who by the end of World War II had spent everything he had on keeping 1,300 Polish Jews from being deported to Hitler's gas chambers. Schindler used a combination of bribes, lies and charm to convince the German occupiers that his workers were "essential", while at the same time he assured that his factory would turn out sub-standard ammunition and war material. When the war ended, Schindler fled to Argentina with his wife and a handful of his workers and bought a farm. In 1958, he abandoned his land, his wife and his mistress to return to Germany. He spent the remaining years of his life dividing his time between Germany and Israel, where he was honored and taken care of by his "Schindlerjuden". Excessively rare, fine content T.L.S., 1p. 4to., Frankfurt, January 8, 1962 to a group of "Schindler Jews". In full: "My dear friends, Yesterday I received a telegram. Your wonderful New Year's wish with a transfer of two thousand dollars and allow me and on behalf of my wife, to thank you most sincerely, I am speechless after all of the sad experiences of recent times, for such wonderful help and a rescue at this most serious time. I am particularly proud that many of you, my dear and longtime friends, express the wish to welcome me in Israel as a guest and friend, which was previously mostly reserved for German government members. Of course, I would like to come, only I will need about 60 days to get my ship afloat and to settle my problems. Please do not be angry with me if I am unable to write any more today, but believe me that the last few hours are among the few happiest of my life. Again sincere thanks and best wishes for all Brunnlitzer. Always yours, Schindler" Some marginal foxing affecting nothing, with a 1" closed marginal tear at left, else very good with a large, bold blue ink signature. Schindler's reference to "Brunnlitzer" is a direct reference to those now called "Schindler Jews". As Russians advanced on Plaszow, Schindler moved his workers to a factory he purchased in Brunnlitz in occupied Czechoslovakia, technically named "KZ-Aussenlager Brunnlitz" and part of the larger Gross Rosen camp. It was at Brunnlitz where Schindler's Jews were liberated by the Russians. Schindler moved to West Germany after the war, where he was supported by donations from Jewish relief organizations. After receiving only a partial reimbursement for his wartime expenses, he moved with his wife to Argentina. When he went bankrupt in 1958, Schindler returned to Germany, where he failed at several business ventures and relied on financial support from Schindlerjuden ("Schindler Jews"). He died on 9 October 1974 in Hildesheim, Germany, and was buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, the only member of the Nazi Party to be honored in this way.

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April 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000