Pocket watch

Frederic Zeller papers

Document

The collection documents the Holocaust-era experiences of Frederic Zeller of Berlin, Germany including his escape from Berlin by train in 1938 and his experiences as a refugee in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Preston, Lancashire, England. Included are illustrated diaries, biographical material, photographs, and correspondence including letters sent by his father Heinrich Zeller from the Gurs and Saint-Cyprien concentration camps in France. Biographical materials includes a family book (Familien Stambuch), birth certificates, diaries, and papers documenting his time in the refugee camp in Rotterdam and in England. The first diary documents Frederic’s life prior to leaving Berlin, and also includes loose notes. The second diary is illustrated and primarily chronicles his time as a refugee in Rotterdam. The third diary is post-war and documents his life in England. Additionally, there is a transcription of an interview Frederic conducted with David Borgenicht at the TB Hospice, Quare Mead, Straftord, a camp for boys rescued from Theresienstadt where he worked or volunteered. Correspondence includes wartime letters from Heinrich and Fanny Zeller to their children, Fanny’s sister Cilly Bobath (née Gottesmann) and her daughter Lotte living in Copenhagen, and family friend Freek Adriaans. Some of the letters from Heinrich were sent from Gurs and Saint-Cyprien. Other correspondence includes letters to Frederic from Freek Adriaans, Lilian, and his cousin Susi Zeller. Some of the letters in this series are photocopies. Photographs include prewar photographs of the Zeller family, relatives, and friends. Wartime photographs include depictions of Frederic and Lilian in the refugee camp in Rotterdam, and Frederic in England. There are also postwar photographs of the TB Hospice camp in Quare Mead. Some photographs are copyprints.