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Gertrud Kolmar Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 1346

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of this collection consists of typescript drafts, with some handwritten corrections, of a compilation of Getrud Kolmar's correspondence with her sister Hilde Wenzel. Other materials include notes and commentaries on this correspondence, photocopies of some of original Kolmar drafts and letters, and two letters and a passport pertaining to Kolmar's relatives in the Chodziesner and Lindenheim families. Two items signed by Kolmar, a condolence letter and a leaf from a poetry album, are also present.

Dates

  • Creation: 1867-1965

Creator

Language of Materials

This collection is in German and English.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org

Biographical Note

The poet Gertrud Kolmar was born 1894 as Gertrud Chodziesner in Berlin. She was raised in an assimilated Jewish family in the Charlottenburg district and was a cousin of Walter Benjamin. She attended private schools and received a certificate in English and French. She worked in various capacities as a translator, interpretor, teacher and secretary.

Chodziesner's poetic career began in 1917 with the publication of her first volume of poems, for which she assumed the pseudonym Kolmar, the German name for the Polish city of Chodzież, from which her surname was derived. She continued to publish regularly until 1938. After that time, further publication became impossible because of the political circumstances in Germany. She was eventually deported to Auschwitz and was executed, likely in 1943.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection is comprised mainly of typescript drafts of a collection of correspondence between Kolmar and Hilde Wenzel, along with some original and photocopied correspondence and family documents.

Other Finding Aid

The original German-language inventories are available in folder 1.

Related Material

See also the Hilde Wenzel Collection , LBI call number AR 1418 .

Separated Material

Photographs have been removed to the LBI Photograph Collection.

See also:

  1. L. Langer 's 1976 manuscript Survival Through Art: The Career of Gertrud Kolmar , LBI call number MS 449
  2. Henry A. Smith 's manuscript Gertrud Kolmar: 1894-1943. A survey of her life and work , LBI call number MS 450

Bibliography

The LBI library contains several volumes of Kolmar's poetry, as well volumes containing her correspondence and academic criticism of her work. Please check the catalog or consult with a reference librarian for more information.
Title
Guide to the Gertrud Kolmar Collection, 1867-1965  AR 1346
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Timothy Ryan Mendenhall and LBI Staff
Date
© 2009
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • November 28, 2011 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.
  • March 21, 2012 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.

Repository Details

Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States