Figurine of a man in folk costume playing an accordion brought to the US by a Jewish refugee from prewar Germany
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 6.250 inches (15.875 cm) | Width: 2.870 inches (7.29 cm) | Depth: 1.880 inches (4.775 cm)
Creator(s)
- Hans Reinhardt (Subject)
Biographical History
Hans Rosenberg was born to a Jewish family in 1915 in Germany. He had two sisters, Ava and Gretl. His uncle was Max Reinhardt, the famed theatrical director,and he spent his summers at his uncle's castle near Berlin. Hans later changed his name to Reinhardt. In 1938, because of the escalating persecution of Jews by the Nazi government, the family decided to send Hans and his sisters to the United States. Max's son, Gottfried, handled the travel arrangements. Hans and his sisters left Berlin in April 1938 for Cuba, because they could not get US visas. However, by May 1938, they arrived safely in New York. Hans married Gloria Lustig in 1968 and they raised her two sons together. Hans died, age 89, on November 4, 2004.
Archival History
The figurine was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2008 by Neal Lustig and Peter Lustig, the stepsons of Hans Reinhardt.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Neal Lustig and Peter Lustig
Scope and Content
Figurine that belonged to 23 year old Hans Rosenberg (later Reinhardt) when he emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1938 with his sisters, Ava and Gretl. His family decided that Hans and his sisters must leave Germany because of the dangerous anti-Jewish policies of the Nazi government. Hans and his sisters left Berlin in April 1938 for Cuba because they could not get US visas. They arrived safely in New York in May 1938.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Small, carved wooden, or possibly plastic, painted figurine of a man in traditional German costume of brown pants, green jacket, and black hat. The figure is playing an accordion and stands upon a rectangular base with a cloth tag on the underside.
Subjects
- Jewish refugees--Cuba.
- Jews--Germany--History--1933-1945.
- Jewish refugees--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--Cuba.
Genre
- Object
- Decorative Arts