Lot 834
Official October 8, 1940 Nazi Document. Typed Document. In German. Fourteen pages, quarto, Warsaw, October 8, 1940. Being a report on the economic status of the "purification" of the Warsaw economy issued by the Department of Trust -- Branch Office. Stamped three times on the first page, including "Geheim" ["Secret"] and initialed on last page. Filing holes at left, staples holes at top left corner, minor soiling on first page and one horizontal fold. Very good condition.
The systematic seizure of Jewish and Polish owned property and businesses was an integral part of the Nazi scheme when they invaded Warsaw in late 1939 and the report offered here, covering the details of September 1940, offers concrete documentation of their success after less than a year of control. The increasing pressure on Warsaw's Jews is illustrated vividly in this report -- in September the number of confiscated properties jumped from 2844 to 4391 and according to the report: "…The first consequence of this increase is the increased suppression of the Jewish influence on residential and real estate property and the damming up of its harmful effects on the entire economy." The report goes on to offer figures on rents in arrears, the value of seized bank accounts and monies gained from seized properties. Other measures are reported on, in particular the closure of printing houses except those under Nazi control and two operating exclusively for the Jewish Council. Concern is raised that the measures being taken are not profitable enough and one of the reasons offered is: "…it is almost certain that important goods and net assets are still in the hands of Jews…The camouflage of Jewish fortunes is a popular means of avoiding reporting regulations and they are helped in their dirty business by Polish and ethnic German henchmen…" Also noted: "…In the reported month, there were also extensive seizures of economic and factory goods. Notably wood and sawmills, almost exclusively owned by Jews, as well as a number of other machines, were seized." In less than two months, the Nazis would force all of Warsaw's Jews into the newly established Ghetto and take over all remaining Jewish property outside the Ghetto.
Estimated Value $250-UP.
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| Realized $144 |
