John Butzke family collection

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn186699
• English
• 1940
• overall: Height: 17.625 inches (44.768 cm) | Width: 12.625 inches (32.068 cm) | Depth: 4.750 inches (12.065 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

Golden brown Steiff bear owned by Hans Butzke and used by his parents, Julius and Netty, to smuggle family valuables out of Vienna, Austria, when they left for Panama in early 1940. Jews were not permitted to take valuables from Germany, so Netty sewed the items, including a ring and possibly pearls, inside the bear. She told Hans not to let anyone take it from him, but did not tell him about the jewels hidden inside. The bear wears Hans’ baby clothes. On March 13, 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. In early 1940, the family left by train for Amsterdam. German soldiers on the train ...

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn34202
• English
• 1899-2000
• box oversize box 1 1
• Updated 7 months ago

Consists of papers and photographs related to family of Julius, Netty, and John (Hans) Butzke, originally of Vienna, Austria. Includes papers from Julius's pre-war work as an accountant, Netty's pre-war work as a nurse (including service during World War I) and the official papers they collected to support their attempts to immigrate. Includes passports and other travel documents, and documents establishing their lives in the United States. This collection is an excellent example of a small family collection related to immigration from Vienna to the United States. Pre-war documents establis...