Overview
- Brief Narrative
- Set of nine monogrammed, white napkins that survived Kristallnacht and were brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The napkins were originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack, and some of those that survived, like several of these napkins, were stained by iodine from broken medicine bottles that they had originally been wrapped around. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
- Date
-
emigration:
1938
- Geography
-
emigration:
Germany
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Nancy Shanes
Physical Details
- Classification
-
Furnishings and Furniture
- Category
-
Household linens
- Object Type
-
Napkins (lcsh)
- Genre/Form
- Furnishings.
- Physical Description
- Set of nine (a-i) square-shaped, off-white, cloth napkins bearing a matching white, woven pattern, a hemstitched border, satin-stitched initials in white. The repeating flower and butterfly design is woven into a wide band and bordered by scalloped and solid lines. In the middle, there is a small, square-shaped frame of small, angled leaves around a circular medallion with a flower at the center. In each corner of the frame is a small flower, and a gray-white monogram is stitched over the lower right one.
d. There are small, light, brown-orange stains in the lower left section.
e. There are small, light, brown stains along the right side, near a tear in the hemstitched border.
f. There is a blue stain on the back, at the top left.
g. A possible laundry mark is stitched in green thread on the lower left.
h. A possible laundry mark is stitched in green thread on the lower left.
i. A possible laundry mark is stitched in green thread on the lower left, and there are light brown stains near the initials. - Dimensions
- a: Height: 13.130 inches (33.35 cm) | Width: 13.130 inches (33.35 cm)
b: Height: 13.250 inches (33.655 cm) | Width: 12.500 inches (31.75 cm)
c: Height: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm) | Width: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm)
d: Height: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm) | Width: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm)
e: Height: 13.310 inches (33.807 cm) | Width: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm)
f: Height: 13.190 inches (33.503 cm) | Width: 12.810 inches (32.537 cm)
g: Height: 13.000 inches (33.02 cm) | Width: 13.500 inches (34.29 cm)
h: Height: 13.130 inches (33.35 cm) | Width: 12.500 inches (31.75 cm)
i: Height: 13.500 inches (34.29 cm) | Width: 12.750 inches (32.385 cm) - Materials
- a : cloth, thread
b : cloth, thread
c : cloth, thread
d : cloth, thread
e : cloth, thread
f : cloth, thread
g : cloth, thread
h : cloth, thread
i : cloth, thread - Inscription
- a. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
b. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
c. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
d. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
e. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
f. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
g. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
g. front, lower left,handstitched, green thread : 14
h. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
h. front, lower left,handstitched, green thread : 14
i. front, offcenter, embroidered, white thread : HS [Hedwig Sanders]
i. front, lower left,handstitched, green thread : 14
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
- Topical Term
- Kristallnacht, 1938
- Geographic Name
- Germany.
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The napkins were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2018 by Nancy Shanes, the goddaughter of Beatrice Neu Melov.
- Record last modified:
- 2022-12-22 13:50:36
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn639378
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Also in Neu family collection
The collection consists of documents, photographs, books, and artifacts relating to the experiences of Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu and their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov), in Germany and the United States before and during the Holocaust.
Date: 1914-1954
Bright blue porcelain bird that survived Kristallnacht owned by Hedwig Sanders Neu
Object
Painted porcelain bird that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The bird was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Fork bearing Hedwig Sanders Neu's initials that survived Kristallnacht
Object
Fork that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The fork was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Fork bearing Hedwig Sanders Neu's initials that survived Kristallnacht
Object
Fork that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The fork was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Spoon bearing Hedwig Sanders Neu's initials that survived Kristallnacht
Object
Spoon that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The spoon was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Pair of engraved gold wedding rings owned by Hedwig and Richard Neu
Object
Pair of engraved, gold wedding bands (a & b) worn by Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu following their marriage in Germany in 1932. The rings were among the possessions that the couple brought with them when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Certificate of Citizenship document holder owned by Richard Neu
Object
Document holder for a United States Certificate of Citizenship issued to Richard Neu on March 1, 1945. Richard and his wife, Hedwig Sangers Neu, immigrated to the US with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Certificate of Citizenship document holder owned by Hedwig Sanders Neu
Object
Document holder for a United States Certificate of Citizenship issued to Hedwig Sangers Neu on March 1, 1945. Hedwig and her husband, Richard Neu, immigrated to the US with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Napkins with blue scrollwork design and Hedwig Sanders Neu's initials that survived Kristallnacht
Object
Set of six monogrammed, blue and white napkins that survived Kristallnacht and were brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The napkins were originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack, and some of those that survived, like several of these napkins, were stained by iodine from broken medicine bottles that they had originally been wrapped around. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Tan, white, and blue striped hand towel with Hedwig Sanders Neu's initals that survived Kristallnacht
Object
Striped hand towel that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The hand towel was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack, and some of those that survived, like the towel, were stained by iodine from broken medicine bottles that they had originally been wrapped around. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Pillow sham with floral and geometric design and Hedwig Sanders Neu's initials that survived Kristallnacht
Object
White, decorative pillow sham that survived Kristallnacht and was brought with Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu when they immigrated to the United States with their daughter, Beatrice (later Melov) in late 1938. The hand towel was originally part of Hedwig’s trousseau, and among the possessions that the Neu family packed in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Thin cloth wallet used to hold Beatrice Neu's Certificate of Citizenship
Object
Cloth wallet used as a document holder for a United States Certificate of Citizenship issued to Beatrice Neu (later Melov) on April 21, 1954. Beatrice immigrated to the US with her parents, Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu, in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
Beatrice Neu Melov papers
Document
The papers document the experiences of Beatrice Neu Melov and her parents, Hedwig and Richard Neu, following their immigration to the United States from Partenheim, Germany in 1939 through family photographs, correspondence, and certificates, including naturalization certificates. The materials capture Melov’s post-war experiences between the 1950s and 1980s, including her work as a public school teacher and principal, her return visit to Fränkisch-Crumbach, Germany, her marriage to Alfred Melov, and family celebrations. Other materials include typewritten accounts of her family’s experience on Kristallnacht, Jahrzeit reminder cards for Hedwig and Richard Neu, a German and Hebrew sympathy book for her great-grandfather Issak Oppenheimer, and a portrait photograph of her grandparents, Nathan Neu and Bertha Oppenheimer Neu.
Hebrew language book for children owned by Beatrice Neu
Object
Hebrew language book used in Beatrice Neu’s (later Melov) studies in the United States following her immigration there with her parents, Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu, in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
My Hebrew Reader book owned by Beatrice Neu
Object
Hebrew language book used in Beatrice Neu’s (later Melov) studies in the United States following her immigration there with her parents, Richard and Hedwig Sanders Neu, in late 1938. The Neu family packed many of their possessions, including many items from Hedwig’s trousseau, in preparation for their emigration from Partenheim, Germany, in late 1938. Before they departed for the United States, they were staying with Beatrice’s grandmother, whose home was ransacked by the German authorities during Kristallnacht, November 9-10. Hedwig, Beatrice, and her grandmother hid in the garden, while Richard hid elsewhere. Many of the packed possessions were badly damaged during the attack. After several days in hiding, Richard returned once it seemed safe to do so.
