Rechtsstellung der Juden im Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren (Legal Status of the Jews in the Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia)
Prague: Jüdische Kultusgemeinde, 1942. Original document. Softcover. Large Quarto. (1) 45 leaves. Original stapled green wraps with black lettering on cover, protected by modern mylar. The pamphlet was produced for internal use at the Jewish Cultural Community.
Extraordinary and exhaustive collection of laws and ordinances, published by the Jewish Cultural Community (Jüdische Kultusgemeinde), documenting in detail the anti-Semitic laws and ordinances issued by the Nazis after the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia due to the Munich Treaty in September 1938. It exposes the fervor of the anti-Semitic campaign perpetrated by the Nazis in its chilling complexity.
Our mimeographed pamphlet contains thirteen chapters referencing laws, ordinances, general policies, and regulations regarding emigration, organizations, securing of Jewish property, the position of Jews in public life, the separation from the Aryan population, elimination of Jews from the economy, working assignments, housing conditions, welfare, special policies, culture, and miscellaneous police measures. It describes who is defined to be a Jew contingent to heritage, including the definition of a Jewish business. This pamphlet details all aspects of life in the protectorate relating to its Jewish population, all in the name of protecting German blood and honor.
Following a few examples from the pamphlet, documenting the voracity of the Nazi campaign against the Jews. On March 16, 1939 all Jewish lawyers were prohibited to practice law and all Jewish employees in public administrations and institution were discharged from their positions. The edict from August 5, 1939 and subsequent publications saw new, detailed regulations by the regional government authorities, regulating public conduct of the Jewish population in detail. E.g., pubs could be frequented by Jews only if separate rooms were provided to them, and they were suspended from Aryan clubs and prohibited to attend sports events, with a list of specific venues in Prague prohibited to visit by Jews published by the police headquarters on August 14, 1939. In addition businesses owned by people with Jewish heritage had to post signs reading "Jewish Business" at the storefront.
In 1940 entrance to public parks became illegal for Jews, grocery shopping was limited to certain hours of the day, hotel bookings were forbidden in September 1940 and separation of Aryan and Jewish population was ordered for treatment in hospitals. Fiduciaries for Jewish assets had been assigned in June of 1939 already and in January of 1940 Jews were prohibited to function as heads of business enterprises. The respective businesses were to be liquidated. Film business, photo studios, film rentals, movie theaters, etc. were especially highlighted and a list of other affected business ventures was supplied in January of 1940.
In November of 1941 Jews were prohibited from using public busses, except if they were blind or injured in the war. Verification from employers was necessary for one day tickets to and from work only. Similar edicts were issued for the municipalities of Beraun, Bohemian Budweis, Kladno, Laun, Melnik, Jungbunzlau, Pisek, Pilsen, Rakonitz, Tabor and Turnau. Starting in September 1941 all Jews over the age of six had to wear the Yellow Star in public.
1942 saw a tightening of the restriction, e.g. money transfers via the postal service were allowed only at the post office for Jews in Prag II. In the so-called "Postscheckamt" deposits were not accepted anymore. An edict from January 31, 1942, prohibited the usage of public telephones for Jews in the protectorate altogether. Exceptions were made for Jewish lawyers, doctors and midwives, hospitals, Jewish Cultural Associations, and approved businesses. However, the exceptions were granted only with the consent of the State Police. And in February of 1942, telephone lines of Aryan residents were terminated if Jews live in the same household with them.
Text in German. Wraps with light sunning and small chips along edges. Inked note of previous owner on table of content. Block lightly age-toned. Good- to very good condition. Item #52671
An initial sixty-three page publication, from the Jewish Cultural community (Jüdische Kultusgemeinde), credited to Walther Utermoehle and Herbert Schmerling, was released by the Prag Böhmisch-Mährisch Verlags- und Druckgesellschaft, in 1940 (copies held at the Kings College, the Berlin Staatsbibliothek and the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Leipzig). Our 1942 publication with 45 leaves followed this (held by the Tel Aviv University, the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Leipzig, and the Kings College in London). A third publication, a pamphlet with seven leaves was later issued by the Kultusgemeinde in 1943, which served as an update of this publication (held in Nationalbibliothek in Leipzig only).
Price: $12,500.00