Large flat top trunk monogrammed SB used by a German Jewish refugee 200.321.3 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Large trunk used by Sophie Bernhard when she left Berlin, Germany, for Havana, Cuba, in March 1939. Due to German emigration laws, Sophie and her husband, Hans, were only allowed to bring one suitcase per person. In November 1938, Hans was notified by the German government that he would no longer be able to operate his wholesale textile business because he was Jewish. Hans and Sophie sailed from Hamburg on the MS Orinoco on March 28, 1939. The Orinoco was the last ship allowed to unload refugee passengers from Europe in Havana. In March 1940, Hans and Sophie emigrated to the United States.
Large trunk used by Sophie Bernhard when she left Berlin, Germany, for Havana, Cuba, in March 1939. Due to German emigration laws, Sophie and her husband, Hans, were only allowed to bring one suitcase per person. In November 1938, Hans was notified by the German government that he would no longer be able to operate his wholesale textile business because he was Jewish. Hans and Sophie sailed from Hamburg on the MS Orinoco on March 28, 1939. The Orinoco was the last ship allowed to unload refugee passengers from Europe in Havana. In March 1940, Hans and Sophie emigrated to the United States.
- Title: Large flat top trunk monogrammed SB used by a German Jewish refugee 200.321.3 front
- Provenance: The trunk was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004 by Judge Aaron Cohn, on behalf of the Estate of Henry Bernhard., The trunk was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004 by Judge Aaron Cohn, on behalf of the Estate of Henry Bernhard.
- Subject Keywords: Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Germany--Berlin--Personal narratives, Jewish. Jewish refugees--Cuba--Havana--Biography. Jewish refugees--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--Cuba--Personal, narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--United States--Personal narratives., Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Germany--Berlin--Personal narratives, Jewish. Jewish refugees--Cuba--Havana--Biography. Jewish refugees--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--Cuba--Personal, narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--United States--Personal narratives.
- Type: Containers, Containers
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Large, long, flat rectangular trunk with a wooden frame covered in plastic treated cloth with a pattern of black dots on a light brown backing. Except for the front side, the exterior has turned dark green from use. All hardware is tarnished, silver colored metal. The exterior edges are reinforced with black plastic trim with rivets and corner clamps. Across the lid and base are 2 horizontal black wooden slats with slat clamps. The front center has a drawbolt latch flanked by key lock plates. The lid top has a large, stenciled monogram. The left and right sides have a center metal plate into which the lid inserts into base to seal the trunk. The left and right base sides have a brown leather handle inserted through a bracket. The lid is attached to the base by 3 flap hinges and is held open by a stay on the left interior. The interior is lined with stained, offwhite cloth. The base interior has 2 sets of light gray cloth belts and metal slots for a missing divider. The interior has a removable offwhite cloth lined wooden tray with cloth handles and 2 sets of light gray cloth belts., Large, long, flat rectangular trunk with a wooden frame covered in plastic treated cloth with a pattern of black dots on a light brown backing. Except for the front side, the exterior has turned dark green from use. All hardware is tarnished, silver colored metal. The exterior edges are reinforced with black plastic trim with rivets and corner clamps. Across the lid and base are 2 horizontal black wooden slats with slat clamps. The front center has a drawbolt latch flanked by key lock plates. The lid top has a large, stenciled monogram. The left and right sides have a center metal plate into which the lid inserts into base to seal the trunk. The left and right base sides have a brown leather handle inserted through a bracket. The lid is attached to the base by 3 flap hinges and is held open by a stay on the left interior. The interior is lined with stained, offwhite cloth. The base interior has 2 sets of light gray cloth belts and metal slots for a missing divider. The interior has a removable offwhite cloth lined wooden tray with cloth handles and 2 sets of light gray cloth belts.
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