Fur trade

The Rudolf and Victoria Pordes Collection primarily comprises material on the life and work of the furrier and artist Rudolf Pordes. Included is documentation of his immigration from Vienna through Belgium and France to the United States. Material on his professional work is also prevalent. This collection contains correspondence, official papers and certificates, notes, publications, photographs and legal documents.

Official documents pertaining mainly to the estate of the fur broker Werner Schild (1901-1976), including vital and educational records, correspondence, immigration and restitution papers. Also included are documents for his wife, Suzanne (Susanne) Schild née Scheier, and also their son, Frank Schild.

This collection contains papers relating to the family of Kurt Rosenbaum (later Roberts), especially of his in-laws the Seefeld family, who were hat manufacturers in Berlin.