The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990 by Helmut Eschwege.
Hans Schweitzer (1901-1980) was born in Berlin, and joined the Nazi party in 1926. As a member of the party, Schweitzer created cartoons, caricatures, and political posters under the penname, Mjölnir. He worked for several Nazi newspapers, including the Völkischer Beobachter (The People’s Observer) and a paper published by early Nazi leaders Gregor and Otto Strasser. With his artistic talents, Schweitzer advanced through the party. He was appointed as an honorary member of the SS and became friends with Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. Later, Schweitzer illustrated several books for Goebbels, including Die Verfluchten Hakenkreuzen, published in 1930. Throughout the 1930s, Schweitzer created images for Nazi antisemitic, political, and election posters. He was also a cartoonist for the paper Der Angriff (The Attack), publish by Goebbels, and illustrated the book, Kampf um Berlin (Fight for Berlin). In 1935, he was appointed as Representative for Artistic Design and worked in conjunction with the Ministry of Propaganda for the creation of exhibitions, erection of monuments, and the development of insignia and national symbols. Later, he worked with a commission to decide how to utilize artwork stolen from Nazi victims. Schweitzer was arrested by American authorities in 1947 and fined 500 deutsche marks for his actions during the Holocaust. In 1955, he had his Nazi record expunged and was able to work as an illustrator and teacher.
Color offset lithographic poster of the yellow face of a sinister looking Jewish man with a hostile stare on a black background with the title DER EWIGE JUDE across the top. The man has long sidecurls, hooded eyes under heavy brows, sunken cheeks, a long pointed nose, and a beard. The artist's name Mjolnir, the German film logo, and an official Nazi stamp are printed within the image. front, bottom right, stamped, black ink : Zugela? / Filmpru? / 3?75 / d. DK? 1940
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overall: Height: 32.000 inches (81.28 cm) | Width: 23.125 inches (58.738 cm)
The Eternal Jew Der Ewige Jude antisemitic film poster