Wertheim Berlin: Leipziger Strasse und Leipziger Platz: weitere Verkaufshauser, Konigstrasse, Rosenthaler Str., Mortizplatz, Stralsund, Rostock
Atelier Wertheim, 1928. First Edition. Paperback. [40pp] unpaginated, staple-bound in gray cardstock wraps with mounted photograph. Sepia photos and colorized plates throughout. A bit worn but otherwise clean and sound. Brochure published in celebration of the Grand re-opening of the famed Jewish-owned department store, the largest in Europe, 'rivaling Harrods in London and the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. The project to expand the building spanned 35 years and was overseen by the German architect Alfred Messel. Throughout the building work, the electric lights at night and the steel scaffolding caused something of a stir among Berliners and visitors alike. The building achieved international acclaim for its technical features: 105,000 electrical light bulbs, 3,300 radiators, 300 telephones, 4 external staircases, 25 internal staircases, 54 elevators, 2 escalators, 185 fire hydrants, and 192 fire alarms.' [Google Arts] ... The Conference on Jewish Claims Against Germany notes: 'The Wertheim Department Store group was among the largest and most distinguished Jewish department stores in pre-Hitler Germany. Wertheim owned a number of stores, including the famous Wertheim Department Store at Leipziger Platz in Berlin. Three Wertheim brothers had majority ownership in the department stores. As early as 1933, Jewish department stores became the focus of Nazi boycotts and the Wertheim companies were eventually “aryanized.” The company that acquired the Wertheim companies after the war went on to become one of Germany’s most successful retailers.' [OLCC 299366626]. VERY GOOD. Item #508440
Price: $100.00