us-005578-irn82553-irn3711
identifier: irn3711
conditions of access: No restrictions on access
archival history: The moustache brush was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990 by Max Amichai Heppner, the son of Albert and Irene Heppner.
title: Moustache brush owned by a German Jewish refugee
date: approximately 1907-approximately 1917
is or was included in: us-005578-irn82553
conditions of use: No restrictions on use
biographical history: Albert Heppner (1900-1945) was born in Berlin, Germany, to Max (1866-1917) and Dina (nee Salomon, 1872-1959) Heppner. Max owned a successful dealership selling objects imported from eastern Asia. Albert had two sisters, Bertha (later Rosenthal and Landau, 1898-1991) and Dorothea (later Cohn,1903-1991). During World War I, Albert served in the Balloon Reconnaissance Service of the German Imperial Army, from which he was discharged on December 7, 1918. In 1922, Albert was working on his Ph.D. in Munich when he met Irene Marianne Krämer (1904-1997), the niece of his landlady. As a specialist in 17th-century Dutch art, Albert traveled to Amsterdam to complete an internship at the art gallery owned by Jacques Goudstikker. He received his Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Berlin in 1924. After a courtship that was largely long distance through mail, Albert and Irene married in June 1927 and settled in Berlin, where Albert worked as an art historian and dealer. After Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, anti-Jewish decrees were passed that restricted every aspect of Jewish life. Around June, Albert and Irene fled Berlin to Amsterdam, Netherlands. They were able to ship most of their belongings and furniture, and hid cash in the mats of Albert’s paintings and sewn into Irene’s travel blanket. They were taken into the home of a family Albert knew as a student, and he was able to establish a new art business. Irene often worked with him, serving as hostess to a variety of international clients. A few months after Albert and Irene immigrated, her father, Jakob Kramer (1868-1943), joined them in Amsterdam and took a central role in raising their son, Max (b. 1933), who was born that October. Around the same time, Albert’s mother, Dina, his sisters Bertha and Dorothea, and their families immigrated to England. Albert and Irene were not religious, but ensured that Max learned Hebrew. Albert insisted on assimilating as much as they could …
type: RecordSet
has or had holder: us-005578
scope and content: Silver moustache brush used by Albert Heppner’s father in Germany during the early 20th century. It was likely among the possessions that Albert brought with him when his family went into hiding in the Netherlands in August 1942. Albert and Irene Heppner fled Berlin, Germany, to Amsterdam, Netherlands, after Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. Albert reestablished his art dealership, and their son, Max, was born later that year. In May 1940, Germany occupied the Netherlands, and established a civilian administration run largely by the SS. The occupying administration gradually tightened control on the residents, and required Jews to register their business assets. Albert’s work permit was rescinded in 1940, but he continued dealing illegally on a small scale. In 1942, the authorities raided their home for valuables on multiple occasions, and began rounding up Jews for deportation in the summer. Albert and his friend, Heinz Graumann, were connected to an underground group who promised to smuggle their families out of the country. They left Amsterdam on August 9, and the smugglers moved them through a series of hiding places. On September 10, the Heppners were placed on a farm owned by Johann (Harry) and Hubertina (Dina) Janssen in Zeilberg-Deurne, where they resided in an empty chicken house. After the Netherlands was liberated in early May, Albert set out to check on his friends and business in Amsterdam. On June 5, Albert suddenly became very ill and died of liver failure. Irene and Max returned to Amsterdam, and lived with friends until their immigration to the United States in November 1946.
results or resulted from: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn82553-irn3711/acquisitions/1
physical characteristics and technical requirements: Decorated silver mustache brush; silver top with rose in each of four corners.
has record set type: Item
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn82553-irn3711/alternateIDs/1
record resource extent: overall: Height: 2.750 inches (6.985 cm) | Width: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Depth: 0.630 inches (1.6 cm)