Lask Family Collection

The fancy goods business ("Galanterie-, Luxus- und Kurzwarengeschaeft" selling goods such as silverware, porcelain, intarsia, later also lamps and art objects) was established in Kiel by Michael Lask (1836-1929) in 1869. In 1887 Julius (1842-1900), Michael's younger brother, joined the business. During these years the Imperial Prussian Marine Corps became the main client of the Lask company strengthening also the ties to the Imperial Prussian family which culminated in the appointment as official purveyor of Prince Heinrich of Prussia and his family in 1897. In 1908, Julius' son Gustav (1875- ) became a partner, his wife Johanna Lask née Hoffmann joining the company shortly thereafter. The company was harshly affected by the inflation during the 1920s, and the reduction of the Marine Corps after the First World War having to downsize the business in 1931. In 1938 under the National Socialist government in the course of the so-called "Aryanisation" the Lask family was forced to sell the company to Ulrich von Roemer, losing their remaining properties in 1939.

Michael Lask was born in Schocken (Posen) in 1836, settled in Briesen (Western Prussia) and became a citizen of Kiel in 1869. He was the founder of the "Galanterie- und Luxuswarengeschaeft" (fancy good store) "Michael Lask". He died in Kiel in 1929. Michael was the son of Ludwig Lewysohn's sister Renathe Lask (née Lewysohn) ( -1880) and brother of Julius Lask (1842-1900), co-owner of the business since 1887.

Gustav Lask was born in Kiel 1875. He joined the Lask business in 1908, his wife Johanna Lask née Hoffmann twelve years later in 1920. After the pogrom on November 9, 1938 and afte being forced to sell his business Gustav emigrated to England and settled in London. He was the son of Julius Lask and Natalie Lask (née Lewysohn), daughter of Ludwig Lewysohn, brother of Rosa Goldmann (married to Georg Goldmann (1875- )) and Julian Ludwig Lask, and father of Ilse Radday-Warburg née Lask ( -1987), who emigrated to Palestine and settled in Haifa.

Ludwig Lewysohn was born in Schwersenz (Posen) in 1819. As rabbi he served congregations in Worms and Stockholm, where he died in 1901. He was the uncle of Michael and Julius Lask and father of Natalie, Julius' wife.