Description:

Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg WWII TLS - Fantastic Content

A 1p typed letter signed by Kurt Schuschnigg (1897-1977), the former Chancellor of Austria, as "Kurt Schuschnigg" at lower right. Schuschnigg has also corrected a typographical error in in blue ink in the seventh paragraph. Written in St. Louis, Missouri on November 11, 1965 on a single leaf of light-weight paper with Schuschnigg's "Kurt V. Schuschnigg / 7316 Pershing Ave. / St. Louis 30. MO." address blind-embossed at top left. Expected paper folds and light toning around the edges. 6.75" x 9.875."

Kurt Schuschnigg responded to a letter written by one Robert E. Klein from Kenilworth, Illinois who had inquired about the events leading up to the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938. Klein had evidently been interested in whether the Nazi occupation could have been forestalled or prevented altogether. Schuschnigg's reply demonstrated how this was impossible.

Punctuation has been silently added in select cases to improve clarity. Schuschnigg wrote in part:

"According to our military authorities in March 1938, a delaying defense action--if left alone--would have lasted ca. 24 hours.

There was no possibility to meet an air attack on Vienna.

It was significant that when Austria, in view of the threat of aggression, reintroduced compulsory military service and stepped up, within the economic possibilities, rearmament, some states, (e.g. Jugoslavia [sic]) protested against the violation of the peace treaty; this was 1936.

Successful resistance would have been possible

a - against paramilitary forces (guerillas) crossing into Austria,

b -on condition of air (and heavy weapons) support from abroad.

Otherwise, the morale of the civilian population, esp. in view of the existence of a formidable 5. column, would have been under serious strain.

Military resistance, just as the protest against aggression pronounced for the historic record, could not be expected to change either the annexation of the country not the conscription of the Austrians to the German army…"

Kurt Schuschnigg had served as Chancellor of Austria between July 1934 and his resignation in March 1938. Though Schuschnigg's political orientation was conservative--he was a member of the right-wing Austrian Fatherland Front--he distrusted Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Schuschnigg attempted to appease Hitler while insisting on the inviolability of Austrian sovereignty, but this could only delay the inevitable for so long. This was because Hitler envisioned a Nazi occupation of Austria and the reunification of a sacred "Greater Germany." Schuschnigg resigned from the Austrian chancellorship on March 11, 1938, when it became clear that Austria would become a subordinate German state, and that Great Britain and France would not come to Austria's aid.

Anschluss, or "joining" is the name for the military occupation of Austria by German Nazis which took place the day following Schuschnigg's resignation, on March 12, 1938. A political referendum in Austria showed that the majority of the Austrian population supported the blending of Austria into the powerful Third Reich.

Schuschnigg was promptly arrested following his resignation and interned at various concentration camps throughout World War II, narrowly escaping execution. He was liberated by the American Army in 1945. Schuschnigg was employed as a political science professor at Saint Louis University, a private Jesuit university, in St. Louis, Missouri between 1948-1967.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

September 29, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000