Description:

Schindler Oskar 1908 - 1974 Incredibly rare Oskar Schindler autographed letter to his wife



A superb autograph example of Oskar Schindler on a German postcard, 5.75" x 4", stamped with a postmark location and date of "Munich/July 31, 1957". Addressed to his wife, Emilie Schindler in Argentina and signed by him as "Oskar", but also contains "Schindler" in his hand as part of his wife's address. Near fine with but a few light scuffs to postcard photo on front. Accompanied by a full English translation.


A lovely warm postcard penned by Oskar Schindler to his wife Emilie in Argentina, who he affectionately addresses as Milly. At the time of his postcard, Oskar had just moved back to Germany, (via a somewhat long and convoluted circular path of life in an effort to find both community acceptance and start a new living).

His long path back to Germany first started post war when Schindler had already spent his entire fortune on bribes and black market purchases of supplies for his workers. Virtually destitute, he moved briefly to Regensburg, and later Munich, but did not prosper in postwar Germany. In fact, he was reduced to receiving assistance from Jewish organizations. In 1948 he presented a claim for reimbursement of his wartime expenses to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and received $15,000. He estimated his expenditures at over $1,056,000, including the costs of camp construction, bribes, and expenditures for black market goods, including food. The Schindlers fled to Buenos Aires in Argentina, with a dozen of Schindler Jews. In 1949, they settled there as farmers and were supported financially by a Jewish organization. Emilie and Oskar tried raising chickens and then nutria, a small animal raised for its fur. When the business went bankrupt in 1958, he left his wife and returned to Germany where he had a series of unsuccessful business ventures, including a cement factory. He declared bankruptcy again in 1963 and suffered a heart attack the next year, which led to a month-long stay in hospital. Remaining in contact with many of the Jews he had met during the war, including Stern and Pfefferberg, Schindler survived on donations sent by Schindlerjuden from all over the world.

The warm effervescent letter will be accompanied with the English translation which is translated in full below as:

"To

Mrs. Emilie Schindler

San-Vicente F. CNGR

Providence of Buenos Aires

Republic of Argentina

Dear Milly!

I have been visiting Lois at aunt Cala's house, also saw Dr. Monaty, Poloh Kowacek, Schestag Fritz.

Tomorrow evening I shall be returning to Frankfurt.

Cordial greeting for you and Willi,

Oskar"

(then in another's hand)

Many, many greeting also from

Elli

We are sitting here at the Hofbrauhaus and are drinking a job of beer to your good health, Cala

A scarce, fantastic autographed example by a most unique individual in history ... a man, initially an opportunist -motivated by profit, who came to show extraordinary initiative, tenacity and dedication to save the lives of his Jewish employees at his personal social, business and financial expense. An extraordinary piece!

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