1941 — Postcard from Hadassah Reinhard in Tel Aviv to Gerhard Reinhard in Gurs Concentration Camp, dated June 14, 1941. Over 163 words, in period-script German, in ink. Beginning Dear Grandfather, and wishing the recipient a happy 75th birthday, Hadassah writes, I pray to God that you can soon come to me in good health
. From Granny and everyone in Poland and Siberia we hear absolutely nothing
. The picture is not good
. Your youngest grandchild, Hadassah. Gurs was a major internment camp in France, near Oloron-Sainte-Marie and 80 kilometers from the Spanish border. Established in 1939 to absorb Republican refugees from Spain, Gurs served later as a concentration camp for Jews from France and refugees from other countries. While under the administration of Vichy France (1940-1942) most non-Jewish prisoners were released and approximately 2000 Jews were permitted to emigrate. In 1941 Gurs held some 15, 000 prisoners. The camp was controlled by the Germans from 1942 to 1944, during which time several thousand inmates were deported to extermination camps in Poland. An unknown number succeeded in escaping and reaching Spain or hiding in Southern France. Gurs was liberated in the summer of 1944. No stamp or postmark, presume originally delivered in envelope. Few incoming postcards into Gurs survived. Usual stains and wear, 4 faint slices into paper, Good- Condition. (holo2-131-38)
