door The cover presented here, dated February 1940, is an extraordinary piece of postal history, representing both the individual story of a young Jewish girl during a critical moment in history and the broader political environment of World War II. The envelope, originating from Amsterdam, provides a rare window into the conditions experienced by Jewish refugees in the Netherlands, as well as the German censorship practices applied to communications during the early stages of the war.
Description of the Cover
The envelope is addressed to “Aan den Heer Weinberg” (To Mr. Weinberg) at “Oeltzenstr. 6 I” in Hannover, Germany. It bears a 12½-cent Dutch postage stamp, with a cancellation mark from Amsterdam dated February 27, 1940. The recipient, Herr Weinberg, was Ellen Weinberg’s father, living in Germany at that time.
On the reverse of the envelope, there is a censorship label featuring the German word “Geprüft” (Checked), along with the emblem of the “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht” (High Command of the Armed Forces). This label indicates that the letter was intercepted and examined by German military authorities, a standard practice during World War II for international correspondence to and from Germany.
The sender’s address is written on the back, indicating that the letter came from Ellen Weinberg at the Burgerweeshuis (Orphanage) in Amsterdam, located on St. Luciënsteeg. This location was a temporary home for Ellen, who, like many Jewish children, had been displaced by the escalating persecution in Nazi Germany.
Historical Context
Ellen Weinberg was born in Hannover, Germany, on March 6, 1925. In the 1930s, as conditions for Jews in Germany deteriorated due to Nazi policies, the Kristallnacht pogrom of November 9-10, 1938, marked a turning point for many Jewish families, including Ellen’s. During this period of mass violence and repression, Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were attacked, and many Jewish citizens were arrested or forced to flee.
In response to the worsening conditions, the British government initiated the Kindertransport program in late 1938, which aimed to bring Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories to safety in England and other countries. Truus Wijsmuller-Meijer, a Dutch humanitarian and member of the resistance, played a key role in organizing the transport of Jewish children out of Nazi territories. Ellen Weinberg and her brother Peter were among those who arrived in the Netherlands in early 1939 as part of a Kindertransport from Hannover.
Upon arrival, Ellen and her brother were placed in “Het Zeehuis,” a children’s home in Bergen aan Zee, which housed German refugee children. After the closure of Het Zeehuis in March 1939, Ellen was transferred to the Burgerweeshuis in Amsterdam, where she continued to reside. The Burgerweeshuis, typically an orphanage, had been partially repurposed to accommodate Jewish refugee children. It was during her stay at the Burgerweeshuis that Ellen wrote this letter to her father in Hannover.
Censorship and Postal Regulations
The cover bears significant evidence of Nazi censorship, which was a routine part of postal communications during World War II. The censorship label on the back, inscribed with “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht” and marked “Geprüft,” reveals that the letter was opened and scrutinized by German authorities before being allowed to proceed to its destination. This form of censorship was employed to monitor communications, prevent the dissemination of anti-German sentiment, and control the flow of information between individuals in Germany and those in foreign countries.
The 12½-cent postage was the appropriate rate for international correspondence at that time, and the Amsterdam postmark provides a clear indication of the letter’s origin. The word “Deutschland” appears prominently on the front, further confirming that this was an international letter destined for Germany. The censorship and markings on this cover are typical of the period, reflecting both the stringent control over information and the impact of wartime regulations on civilian correspondence.
Significance of the Cover
This cover is an important artifact for philatelists and historians alike. It encapsulates the intersection of personal history, postal practices, and geopolitical forces during a time of intense upheaval. The cover provides a direct link to Ellen Weinberg’s experience as a young Jewish refugee caught in the midst of World War II and Nazi persecution. The letter serves as a poignant reminder of the Kindertransport program, which saved the lives of many Jewish children, and the broader context of Jewish displacement during the war.
For philatelists, the cover represents a valuable example of wartime censorship, complete with the distinctive markings of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. The combination of Dutch origin, German destination, and Nazi censorship gives this item considerable historical significance. It is a testament to the complex realities of postal communication during wartime, where even personal letters were subject to scrutiny by the authorities.
Conclusion
The 1940 cover from Amsterdam to Hannover, sent by Ellen Weinberg, is more than just a piece of postal history; it is a window into the lived experience of Jewish refugees during World War II. The censorship markings and the context of the Kindertransport provide a vivid illustration of the challenges faced by those seeking safety from persecution. This cover is a powerful reminder of the impact of global events on individual lives, captured through the lens of philatelic study. As such, it holds immense value for those interested in both postal history and the human stories behind the stamps and cancellations of the past.
The postcard will be on auction on November, 30. Lot 6172, Sheraton & Peel auction 68. René Hillesum Filatelie, Zwijndrecht.
