Weimar Dienstpass for Ernst and Freda Borchardt with Forged Third Reich Anachronisms

Authors

Object ID

2012.1.96

Object Name

Passport

Date

5-24-1938

Files

Content Warning

The Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection consists of images, documents, and artifacts related to the Holocaust. The collection contains materials that depict a number of topics that may be difficult for viewers to engage with, including: antisemitic descriptions, caricatures, and representation of Jewish people; Nazi imagery and ideology; descriptions and images of German ghettos; graphic images of the violence of the Holocaust; and the creation of the State of Israel. For more information, see our policy page.

Description

Green cover with Weimar Eagle and large blue stamp of the Star of David. Titled, "Deutsches Reich Dientstpass. Interior includes various biographical information about and black and white photographs of Ernst and Freda Borhardt.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: A Dienstpass, or Service Passport, doctored with Third Reich embellishments to make it appear to be of the era. The informed eye will note the following: a) a Jewish Star of David on the cover and a red “J” on p.1, the latter required only after October,1938; b) the cover itself with the Weimar Republic eagle rather than the Third Reich Eagle and swastika; c) “Sara”, the required name for a Jew after 1938, also on page 1; d) the obvious date changes from 1928 to 1938 on p.2 and p.4; e)Hebrew script stamp p.3; f)Hungarian and Belgian visas and stamp, and the “Prussian Department of the Interior” stamp are from Weimar era, not from that of Third Reich; g) “SS” stamps incorrect. All made to appear like a Nazi era passport to dupe the unsuspecting collector, an example of what Alex Tulkoff calls “counterfeiting the Holocaust”; i.e., profiting from the anguish of this period of history. One hopes the Borchardts did not return to Germany after 1928.

Dimensions

6 1/2 x 4 1/2''

Keywords

Star of David, Dientpass, Freda Borhardt, Ernst Borhardt

Recommended Citation

"Weimar Dienstpass for Ernst and Freda Borchardt with Forged Third Reich Anachronisms" (1938). Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection. 2012.1.96.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/bulmash/769