Bianca Gerstmann Schoen Collection
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of the Bianca Gerstmann Schoen Collection (circa 1900-1950s) consists of photographs. Also included are scrapbooks, correspondence, emigration documents, report cards, healthcare documentation, baggage lists and company stationery from Gerstmann and Co. in Vienna, all ranging from circa 1900 to the 1950s.
Correspondence includes three letters from Bianca’s close friend Mizzi Stoessler describing immigrant life in America, including notes about housing and living costs in New York City. The Stoessler correspondence also details attempts to help family friends in Europe to obtain visas to America in 1939 and 1940. Photographs are mostly unidentified, but include photographs of Bianca Schoen’s time in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, and California, circa 1920s-1950s.
Dates
- 1912-1958
- Majority of material found within 1920s-1950s
Creator
- Schoen, Ernest (Person)
Language of Materials
The 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<extptr actuate="onload" altrender="Portrait of Bianca Gerstmann in front of a car in Kuala Lumpur" href="http://digital.cjh.org/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=1657215" show="embed" title="Portrait of Bianca Gerstmann in front of a car in Kuala Lumpur (1898-1987)"/>
Bianca Schoen (née Loewi) was born December 28, 1898 in Vienna. She worked as a seamstress and married Felix Gerstmann, and took his name. In 1940, she lived in Kuala Lumpur and was married to Ernst Schoen, changing her name to Bianca Schoen accordingly. In 1941, the Schoens immigrated to the United States via San Fransisco. Felix Gerstmann perished in 1942 in Auschwitz. Bianca Schoen died in February 1987 in San Diego, California.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Bianca Gerstmann Schoen Collection documents the life and emigration of seamstress and housewife Bianca Schoen. Documents consist chiefly of photographs; also included are scrapbooks, correspondence, and emigration documents.
Arrangement
This collection has one series. Records are arranged topically.
Separated Material
Some photographs have been removed to the Photograph Collection.
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Bianca Gerstmann Schoen (1898-1987) 1912-1958 AR 25059
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Joshua Shelly
- Date
- ©2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Edition statement
- This version was derived from BiancaGerstmannSchoen.xml
Revision Statements
- August 2015:: dao links added by Emily Andresini.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
