Description:

THE TRAGIC WARTIME ROMANCE OF S.A. MEMBER (AND JEW) KURT HAAS AND FRIEDA REISER
An incredible archive of material concerning the tragic relationship between S.A. member Kurt Haas, who may have hidden the fact that his father was a Jew from Copenhagen, and Frieda Reiser, who insists that their marriage go through. From an early age Haas was a track star and a rising member of the S.A., routinely reported in the press and winning many awards (some present in the lot). In the large group of ephemera present, the most striking item is Haas' typed biography dated five days after his discharge from the Wehrmacht admitting that he knew his father was a Jew, and had resigned from the Wehrmacht for the "good of the service". Also present is his desperate appeal that he be allowed to marry Reiser despite having already been denied, citing that she was already pregnant. Also present is a letter from his old S.A. leader, Reiser's wartime file, with some indication that Rudolf Hess became involved, Reiser's Arbeitsbuchs, ration stamps, etc. Most telling is the copy of the birth certificate of their baby, born Nov. 9, 1940, incredibly listing the father as "Christian" but giving the child the mother's surname. Also present are Haas' sports awards, certificates, and other related ephemera. Includes: pewter plaque from the S.A. Reichswettkampfe competitions in Berlin, 1937, 6 3/4" overall dia., bearing eagle, swastika and S.A. emblem on obverse, competition name, "Third Prize Berlin 1937" and S.A. emblem surrounded by oak leaves on reverse, fine condition in a fine hinged case with the ornate silver award certificate given to Haas and a photo of him in the 400 m. sprint; Third Place Bronze Award in the N.S. Kampfspiele, 1938, the obverse showing two figures, one with a broken chain attached to his foot, standing on a pedestal bearing the Nazi eagle and swastika, with Nazi Party standard behind, 3 5/8" dia. with box, bronzing worn in places; two 1938 printed S.A. sports awards, signed by an S.A. Obergruppenführer in S.A. Group Southwest; three silver and gold oak leaf awards received at games at Wurtemburg, August, 1938; three printed awards for finishing in races of the D.S.B. at Stuttgart, on June 30, 1935; Haas' Wehrpass showing military service from May 2, 1936 to Oct. 31, 1940 when he is discharged, seven photo albums containing images of Haas in track competitions, in S.A. uniform and on parade, training with machine gun and small arms, with prisoners, possibly in North Africa, and so on, though it should be noted that the vast majority of the photos are of family, vacations, etc.; a scrapbook; a 1928 Olympics program; a 1936 Olympics publication; a "Der Weltkrieg" cigarette card book; and other ephemera. And the last item? Haas' and Reiser's marriage certificate, Stuttgart, Aug. 15, 1949. It would have been too embarrassing for the Nazis to "liquidate" Haas, a sports hero and idol. No doubt he was silenced and allowed to spend the rest of the war in complete obscurity.

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July 21, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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