Bidspirit auction | Walter Friedemann, Holocaust Survivor, Hand

Walter Friedemann, Holocaust Survivor, Hand Written Letter and his Book “Fisch und Ring”, 1920, German - Walter Friedemann, Jewish Author, Holocaust Survivor, Hand Written Letter and his Book “Fisch und Ring”, 1920, in German Berlin; Reuss & Pollack, [1920]. Berlin; Reuss & Pollack. [1920], 18 pp., Paper wrappers. Size: 22 x 16 cm. Only edition. Condition: front cover detached, browning fragile paper. Title translates as: “Fish and Ring. ” This short monograph on the metaphor of fish and rings in the Bible and Talmud and various ‘popular’ manifestations of the usage and understanding of these symbolic forms, was written by Walter Friedemann, a now forgotten German-Jewish novelist. Walter Friedemann (1872-1947) came from a distinguished family in Berlin. His father Julius (Paul) Friedemann as well as his maternal grandfather Moritz Friedheim were consuls to Venezuela. His mother Martha Friedemann (née Friedheim) (1847-1911) was painted by Oskar Begas, a prominent Berlin artist. Walter Friedemann obtained his doctorate in chemistry, but later concentrated on writing and publishing novels, which were moderately successful. Healso published theological studies, and wrote poetry (some of which he himself set to music). The Friedemanns lived in Mosbach from about 1926 to 1936. During this time Walter Friedemann struck up a close association with a catholic priest (Franz Roser) in Mosbach, which resulted in Walter's conversion to Roman Catholicism. His wife Betty Friedemann (née Seligmann) (1877-1946) did not share at that time in the conversion. However, after they moved to Paris (and despite some help of some clerics of the Roman Catholic hierarchy) she was arrested as a Jew and taken to Drancy. With the help of some influential Catholic clerics Walter managed to get her out, and Betty also converted to Roman Catholicism.