Prologue, Chapters 1-5

Jump to Chapter: 1 2 3 4 5

Prologue

The scene where the Nazis arrive and Sigmund signs over his business is described in several “memorandums” written by Sigmund to support his restitution claims. This material is in my collection.

Chapter 1

  • Sigmund’s quote, “Ich bin ein Galizitianer,” was relayed to me by my mother .
  • Address and occupation of Rachmiel sourced from census information found at GesherGalicia.org
  • Residence information of Sigmund provided by information sent to me by M8 in Vienna: https://www.wien.gv.at/kultur/archiv/.
  • Sigmund made a comment in one of his letters that he purposely chose to speak German rather than Polish.

Chapter 2

  • Information of apprenticing as a hat-maker gleaned from various sources including documents shared by Steve Heck: https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com.
  • Sigmund’s apprenticeship and work history were detailed in his Arbeitsbuch (Kindly translated for me by Tom Nentwich)
Selected pages from Sigmund’s Arbeitsbuch (In my collection) Click on individual image to enlarge.
Translation of Arbeitsbuch _ Sigmund’s training as a master hat-maker.
Possibly the hat design that won Sigmund the Grand Prize in Paris
LITAL hat now owned by Sigmund’s great-great grandson
  • The scene with Sigmund and Ostermann came from my imagination.
This image of Sigmund’s prize was found among his papers. It is a photocopy he used to support his restitution claim.
  • I have the original poster. Sadly, it is in need of restoration after having been rolled up for more than 124 years!

Chapter 3

Paul’s eye issue is evident in this portrait of him as baby Early 1901

Chapter 4

Family tree created by Paul Lichtenthal in 1954.
  • Information about the growth of Sigmund’s business sourced from the many letters he wrote during his quest for reparations.
  • All comments regarding Sigmund’s disdain of the “upper-crust” derived from conversations with my mother.
  • The family did, in fact, vacation at Bad Ischl, as evidenced in several letters.
  • The story about the Grauly, the dog lapping up the milk, was told by my mother.
  • Vital facts (birth, marriage, death) gleaned from various online sources as well as family documents.
  • The scenes with the letter and phone call from Tarnopol came from my imagination in order to divulge the pertinent information.
  • The story about the earthquake was told by my mother.
  • Information about their charitable activities came from various newspaper articles found online.
  • All information regarding the hat-making process came from my research and various online sources.

Chapter 5

  • The dinner table scene came from my imagination, but the fact Paul apprenticed with his father was true, as evidenced by certificates in my archives.
  • The remembered scene from Sigmund’s apprenticeship came from my imagination as a way to convey his training.