Edwin "Israel" Bergmann Kennkarte

Factory-printed Star of David badge printed with Jude, acquired by a German Jewish man

Object

Factory-printed Star of David badge acquired by Edwin Bergmann. On September 1, 1941, all Jews in the Reich six years of age or older were required to wear a badge, which consisted of a yellow Star of David with a black-outline and the word “Jew” printed inside the star in German. The badge was used to stigmatize and control the Jewish population. Edwin Bergmann, his brother, and two cousins were partners in a successful family business that manufactured hairpieces in Laupheim, Germany. After the Nazi party took control of the German government in January 1933, anti-Jewish decrees were passed that restricted every aspect of Jewish life. Members of Edwin’s family began leaving Germany in early 1937, including two of the partners, Marko and Theodor, and two of his children, Rudolf and Gretel. Due to his international business connections, Edwin’s passport was seized by the authorities, preventing him from leaving the country. During Kristallnacht, Edwin was arrested and imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp. He spent four weeks in Dachau. During this time, the firm was put under new management by Laupheim’s Nazi mayor, and renamed. In February 1939, Edwin requested the return of his passport to renew his work permit for England, where he traveled every year for business. He and Paula took advantage of the opportunity and secretly fled to England with their youngest son, leaving behind the business and all of their assets. The family immigrated to the United States in July 1940, and settled in New York City.