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Leather briefcase used to hold family papers by Jewish refugees

Object | Accession Number: 2008.347.2
2008.347.2 front Leather briefcase used to hold family papers by Jewish refugees Click to enlarge

Briefcase used by Henry and Rose Basch when they lived as refugees in Shanghai, China. They used the valise to store documents related to their efforts to get family members out of Nazi-controlled Europe. Henry and Rose, originally from Poland, fled Germany to escape the antisemitic policies of the Nazi government, probably in the late 1930s.

Date
emigration:  approximately 1938
Geography
use: Shanghai (China)
Language
English
Classification
Containers
Category
Luggage
Object Type
Briefcases (lcsh)
Credit Line
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Eric Goldstein and Sonia Riegel

About This Object

Physical Description
Dark brown, leather briefcase with 2 interior expandable pockets and a front outer pocket secured by 3 metal snaps. The top opening flap covers the front and has a brass lock with 2 leather straps and metal buckles. The handle at the top is secured by a metal plate on the underside of the flap. There is an embossed line around the exterior edge.
Dimensions
overall: Height: 13.500 inches (34.29 cm) | Width: 15.375 inches (39.053 cm) | Depth: 2.250 inches (5.715 cm)
Materials
overall : leather, metal
Markings
front side of lock : FOO CHONG WKS.
Contributor
Subject: Henry Basch
Subject: Rose Basch
Biography
Henry Basch, along with his wife, Rose, originally from Poland, fled Germany to escape the antisemitic policies of the Nazi government. probably in the late 1930s. They found refuge in Shanghai, China.
Rose Basch, along with her husband, Henry, originally from Poland, fled Germany to escape the antisemitic policies of the Nazi government. probably in the late 1930s. They found refuge in Shanghai, China.

Keywords and Subjects

Administrative History

Legal Status
Permanent Collection
Provenance
The briefcase was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2008 by Dr. Eric Goldstein and Sonia Riegel.

Rights and Restrictions

Conditions on Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions on Use
No restrictions on use
 
Record last modified: 2020-09-15 08:45:17
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn37904

Also in Henry and Rose Basch collection

The collection consists of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the experiences of Henry and Rose Basch as Jewish refugees in Shanghai, China, before, during, and after the Holocaust.

Henry and Rose Basch papers

Document

Consists of a collection of documents, letters, and photographs documenting the experiences of Henry and Rose Basch while fleeing Nazi occupied Europe to Shanghai, China as well as post-war documentation. Includes documents regarding refugees in Shanghai and their attempts to assist family members in Europe to immigrate. The refugees were cousins of the donor's wife.

View All 2 Items in the Collection