Pair of engraved gold wedding rings owned by Hedwig and Richard Neu

Pair of engraved, gold wedding bands (a & b) worn by Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu following their marriage in Germany in 1932. The rings were among the possessions that the couple brought with them when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.