How did the founding of the German paper museum in 1957 just in Greiz? guest article by Frank Heinzig, Fockendorf
The informed reader will dismiss the question slightly, obviously because in Greiz for more than 400 years, paper is made! But that alone, the question is not answered, because Germany had more than 1,000 paper mill sites and the first paper mill in Germany has already started its operations in 1390 in Nuremberg.
Among the most important German and international researchers in the field of paper history and particularly the watermark is undoubtedly one of the customer from West Germany native, born in 1872 in Schwetzingen, Dr. Charles Theodore White. First, he had begun a career in Baden Baden as a lawyer, more and more he was interested but mainly the jobless research paper for history and its ever-growing collections to do so. After World War II, he had reported the same at the beginning of 1914 as a volunteer, moved he and his collections to his family in the Black Forest village Mönchweiler at Villingen order in a hut with no running water, no electricity and with only one heated room. There he devoted himself lived and now only its collections and its research. Not until 1939 could he rer through the agency of his son, Dr.. pol Wisso White, obtain a much more comfortable home in Erfurt. In October of 1939 he moved with his wife Josephine and his collections, which were contained in more than 300 large and small boxes and claimed two freight cars in order to Erfurt, the actual household needed only a small moving van.
end of March 1941 turned to Dr. Karl Theodore White in a letter to the Greizer paper mill and its then owner Felix Guenther. In it he writes:
"Verehrl. Greiz paper mill. Dear Mr. Guenther. I read in the newspapers of the three hundred fiftieth anniversary of your work. Although the first paper mill erected two years previously, the grant of exclusive privilege is still regarded as the basis for the growth of the plant. I have therefore included also the year 1591 in my memorial to the paper's history. Suppose you know the last few years in the Altenburg papers were made from this sample calendars work that yet no publisher has been able to find. I would be grateful to Danck when I fixed the article by Dr. Günther - casting could get your company newspaper "pug mill" to complete my collection tray. . . . I am happy to provide you occasionally wish to make a contribution to your company newspaper with or without figures available. . . .
Erfurt, Epinaystr. 22
32nd March 1941 Dr. White "
There is no mistake of the author, Karl Theodore White has a typical absent-minded scholar, actually, among other minor errors as a date for the 32nd March indicated.
This letter was the beginning of a lively exchange of letters between White and Karl Theodor Felix Günther, who then until the death of the former, on 12 been continued in May 1945, is. Together with other letters, among others, Alfred Schulte, head of the Research Centre Paper History in Mainz, by Dr. Hans H. Bock Drew, director of the German Book and Script Museum in Leipzig and by Armin Renker, owner of the paper mill Zerkall at Düren and Chairman of the Committee on the history of paper and watermarks customer in the Association of Pulp and Paper Chemists and engineers, is this correspondence, consisting of a total of 93 letters and memos, after 1948 in the Archives of Greizer Paper mill has been dumped and fall into oblivion. In 1994, a dissolved the archive and placed the material in different rooms of the factory that were not secured properly, nor sufficiently provided protection against environmental influences. In one of these now unlocked rooms in 1999 were still significant amounts of this material, partially wet, moldy and partially disintegrated in part already. On the floor lay in a pool of water described, including a tied up bunch of files, the primary leaves with a typewriter in Gothic script was. This document pointed to Charles Theodore White, who had used such a typewriter, so the author took the Bundle itself, it was the correspondent said. A short time later, the remaining material was disposed of as waste.
On 4 December 1943 Felix Guenther writes to Charles Theodore White that:
"Dear Doctor!
The destruction of so many valuable things we have to do these days, allows a certain amount of concern for your valuable paper historical collections bear with me. It would certainly be very unfortunate if the same an air attack would fall victim. I do not know whether you have already taken precautions. to the things in safety to bring, but otherwise I would agree to take on at least a larger part of it in my relatively safe custody. I have very good cellars, which would probably make an average attack resistance, and also my work lies in the valley between mountains, so that by a certain assurance is required. If it were not so, I would not make you a proposal. I believe you but my conviction from the best cellars to house at least can recommend a part of your collection.
Since you probably large stock of old paper, but perhaps not very large in have again, I should like, to send you 2 folders still reasonably good stationery. I also add the last number of my work journal "pug mill" in which you also always bring great interest.
might be interested to know that my brother, Prof. Günther casting, now another part of Gunther's history has been completed. I will allow myself later, you make these once available.
answered Sincerely [signature] "
Karl Theodor white on this request at first, but rather a young lady Line Ebert wrote on 21 December 1943 as follows:
Dear Doctor!
through my frequent visits at the house of Dr. Weiss Erfurt Epinaystr. 22 I also learned from their generous suggestion in her letter dated 9 December and allow me then to give you some clues. Dr. White sr. is in principle prepared to exercise their love offer. But if you personally know Dr. White, you will understand that it always requires a certain straight to the practical implementation to complete this project. Therefore, I have personally explained to me ready to go to Dr. White's hand, because I could not answer from my personal point of view, when under attack such valuable collections were lost, without having previously taken advantage of every opportunity to shift, especially since I just here in the Gauwirtschaftskammer with the Department of the alternate am-commissioned and reserve camps.
Dr. White wants to write to you personally, hopefully not until it's too late. So moved is as yet nothing. Dr. White is currently engaged in drawing up a list to do, but what good is the same, if the contents would not be realized. . . .
Felix Guenther replied on 31 December:
"Dear Miss Ebert!
From your letter of 21 I've seen of this month, that Dr. White is willing to accommodate some of its paper-history collections in Greiz and that you may want to take the transport of funds. I have given order to examine whether a car opportunity. But it is very difficult today. A private car is not questioned, and another trip opportunity will arise in the course of January, if necessary. It is now the question of whether one still waits, so you do not need to try.
Perhaps it is appropriate to now have to deal with the registration process and packaging, above all, an exact name and numbering. If you need boxes, I could possibly make some available and I ask you to inform me what's the question.
I will give you again soon know, if observation for a truck-opportunity is available. If necessary, including my attorney-cross, which has to do now and then in Weimar, talk to you about it or come from there to Erfurt to take consultation with Dr. White.
Well I salute your devoted [signature] "
The same day, writes Felix Günther also a letter directly to Karl Theodor White with similar content.
On 11 January 1944 Line Ebert writes:
"Dear Doctor!
Further to my letter of 5.1. because of the relocation of Dr. Weiß'schen collection I inform you that Dr. White will be very grateful if you could make him even more in some cases the size of about 30 to 50 cm and any amount available.
moment are three tapes - Autographs - packed in the preparation of the list I'm still working and you'll have to go after completing a punch. Next
wish Dr. White to learn more from you, how many cases it can provide ie how much space you could spare for him.
For any inquiry, please write to me quietly, I drive mostly Saturday - Sunday over to Erfurt and can then discuss the matter.
Be the best greetings from your Line Ebert "
-plant letter from the Chief Secretary to Mr Pammler Fritzsche wife of 15 January 1944:
"Mr Pammler
to Dr. White, Erfurt, Epinaystr. 22 are the fastest way and at the very first opportunity to send 4 boxes, and although filled with packing material. The boxes are to be collected in the secret writing. "
letter to Felix Günther Ebert Line, written on 31 January 1944:
"Dear Doctor!
Thank you very much for your letter of 24 January. I was now again on Saturday in Erfurt elapsed and found the Boxes before. Unfortunately, but in the meantime, a depression, with the house of Dr. Weiss took place, that makes me stop my concern for the relocation. I stood namely with Dr. Weiss, Jr. in the closest relationship I got solved by unpleasant incidents in turn. Dr. Weiss sr. It is therefore very embarrassed that I can not go to him by the hand and he will now correspond with you even more because of the guarantee.
I once again thank you sincerely for your big compared to willingness and patience to Dr. Weiss and still hope that in the interest of the value of the collections will soon offer a backup option. . . .
letter from Felix Guenther, Karl Theodore White, written on 2 February 1944:
"Dear Dr. White!
From Miss Ebert, Weimar, with whom I corresponded previously on the freezing of a portion of your valuable historical collections, I was told that they no longer could deal with the matter.
I will make now the following proposal. Next week I will give you one of my employees, lab master Patzer, who knows how to deal with things very well hinschicken. Mr. Patzer is ready and pack the material in some cases even to withdraw partly as Passagiergut give up, so if anyone can judge the best guarantee is that things go down here. . . . .
letter from Felix Günther, Karl Theodor White wrote, on 18 February 1944:
"Dear Dr. White! Unfortunately, I have
to my letter dated 2nd February, in which I offered you to send a reliable man to you, which can pack your history collections useful for shipping, not heard back from you. I would like to ask me at least give an answer. I try but only in your and the public interest so that the collections are preserved from destruction. It puts your life in it yet work, and I would sincerely regret for you and for the whole tray, when things were lost. I really consider myself as a sincere friend of your work and I have tried for weeks to find a way to do this to bring the collections to here where I can keep safe. Now, after all
offers an opportunity that matters most in a truck first March to move here. This would, however, then all well packed and be ready for pick up at any time, as people who are traveling by car, have very little time. I therefore believe it is the most correct, if I hinschicke Mr. Patzer in the next week so that he help you with the appropriate packaging can be. He is very clever and knows exactly how to best handle on something. You need me to write only short that you agree and if Mr. Patzer to come at any time or on a particular day. With best regards Your sincerely
[signature] "
letter from Felix Günther, Karl Theodor White wrote, on 22 February 1944:
"Dear Dr. White!
The concern about your collections do not let me go, especially since been occupied Erfurt with bombs. I'm sending now, without having received news from you, my lab master Patzer to you that is reliable in every way and you want to give what you most important to keep and bear what he can. Believe me, it's really only worrying about your to the community so valuable collections, which leads me again to approach the matter with you. I would blame myself if things would verbombt.
I add the last number on the occasion of my work journal "The pug mill" in which you might be interested in. something.
With the best recommendation I'm Yours very truly, [signature] "
letter from Felix Günther an Armin Renker, written on 24 April 1944:
"Dear Mr. Renker!
. . . And now I come again to your letter of 15 January back where you write to me on Dr. White. I have been a number of boxes with a lot of work done here and need to Greiz and good hands. . . .
letter from Felix Günther, Karl Theodor White wrote, on 27 May 1944:
"Dear Doctor! First I would like to reassure you
stating that the storage given to me by you in old papers are still intact in the basement and will hopefully continue to get through the war, although we of course also not safe from attacks. Anyway, I do my best, they have entrusted to me part of your collection to get. On this occasion I would like to ask whether They do not give any more of the papers here to Greiz want because Erfurt is still undoubtedly vulnerable, especially your home. If it is the case, I would like to master my lab slip again send it to you. . . . As I said Mr. Patzer, you have the syrup, which I will let go once a can, tasted good. So I send you as Pentecost Greetings again a larger box, I am well endowed in this particular material.
Best wishes, and above all the desire to fairly rapid improvement in your health, I remain Yours very truly,
[signature] "
Bespechungsprotokoll Felix Günther, Karl Theodore White on 18 July 1944 in Erfurt:
"Meeting with Dr. Weiss, Dr. Weiss Erfurt 18.7.44
that is the way, not so old but not born until 1872, in very bad health condition, so that it is hardly up again . . . .
from his private collections will Dr. White may still be more or the same all the way Greiz. It is about 1000 folders that may have a weight of 5,000 kg. He asks that big boxes for the folders that have a format of 30x40 cm to be made. But because of the papers are part of a size of 40x50 cm would perhaps be advisable. But I think that a pack of files, perhaps is in strong paper, nor appropriate. The packages are then loaded onto a truck and are thus safe to Greiz. "
letter from Felix Günther, Karl Theodor White, written on 21 July 1944:
"Dear Doctor!
From the visit to you, held in an air raid, I'm happy and in due time arrived again in Greiz. It was very good that we have spoken once, I have learned many interesting and you could also win a better view of your collection, that the same is unique, I knew already.
Because of the conversion of the 1000 sessions to Greiz I will the corresponding Measures to be terminated. At best it will be but to pack the solid solutions in large packages in brown paper or cardboard and then these large packages dch. Car to transfer to Greiz, maybe not all at once, so the risk is not the ride is too large. To this end, I will soon send to you once again Mr. Patzer, which I hope you agree. From the white paper for your folders I leave you today about 1000 Bg 35 x45 cm to go while your sheets measure 29 x 45 cm, so my paper is to one side as large, on the other side 6 cm greater and I hope that it will fit. I also add about 500 white index cards, if want more, you can have more, just from the paper. A small packet of eggs from the same time I send, and if Mr. Patzer comes to you, he will bring some for you soon come again to record your efforts and meritorious work for the German paper industry again.
On the other points we have discussed, I'll come back later and now remain with best regards and a recommendation to your wife that will help so faithfully,
Yours very truly, [Signature]
letter from Felix Günther to Charles Theodore White, written on 29 July 1944:
"Dear Mr. Doctor!
The 84 portfolios, which Mr. Patzer has been dealt with are happy Greiz and arrived in the warehouse basement well accommodated. It is a pity that the consignment does not exceed, for the attacks on Erfurt but a certain urgency. I thought he would bring at least 300 folders and that would have been possible to be, if you do not take too well with the numbering and so on. But you can rest assured that Mr. Patzer and I did everything carefully as possible and that will not come off a piece of paper. Mr. Patzer has chance to do it again in Erfurt in another matter and has thereby perhaps time to re-pack from the folders which, and the work will be encouraged by the fact that Mr. Patzer has still a relief man for himself. Do let these two men to pack as much as possible so that the folders stand ready and can be picked up at the first opportunity with the car. . . .
travel report by Ernst Patzer to Felix Günther wrote on 2 August 1944:
"Dr. Felix Guenther.
travelogue Betr. Erfurt on 31.7. - 2.8.44.
. . . Then I visited Dr. White and I have spoken with him again on the documents. At 1.8. we have then gone straight zuverpacken with the files, Dr. White noted she and I have counted. His bedroom I have now made completely empty is about 500 folders which we must bring to Greiz soon as possible. . . .
letter from Felix Guenther at Hans H. Bock joke written on 21 December 1944:
"Dear Doctor!
From your letter of 16 December, I perceive that the note was found on the Waweitmühle in my work journal your attention. The documentation for this release I have personally received by Dr. White, and he endorsed my paper. I would be white on the excited questions you like to speak personally with Dr., but I'm probably not in the near future for Erfurt, but perhaps I can make do by an agent of mine who is possible to bring the rest of the collection to Greiz Weiß'schen; the most part I've already placed, because there in Erfurt it was too uncertain and I felt it was necessary , but this safeguard for the history of paper very valuable collection somehow, if it is of course now all possible. About this issue, I have corresponded with Mr. Armin Renker, which is the way to come in the near future once here, because I've also used part of his stuff from his factory located in the war zone and housing here. . . .
With the best recommendation I remain Yours very truly, [Signature] "
letter to Felix Günther Wisso White wrote, on 5 January 1945:
Dear Dr. White!
Thank you for your wishes for Christmas and New Year, which arrived just after 4 weeks! I hope you at least on your future military career all the best!
from your father a long time now I have not heard anything, but I want him to visit in the coming weeks once or hinschicken Mr. Patzer, that he might even look around for him.
come in the near future by the way Mr. Renker Zerkall from here, for he could not stay there longer. His business and his home are in any case under enemy shell fire and may even be completely destroyed. When he had to flee the destruction was already far advanced. Both of his attorney, I've also been with me. Perhaps he will also assume one opportunity to visit with your father.
I would hesitate to include some writing paper, but I have no brand for it.
Greiz has remained generally far spared from air raids. Only 30 November were thrown over the city about 80 killed by bombs and about 20 people and destroyed several houses, and the paper mill is intact.
Sincerely Yours truly, [signature] "
Internal Note 28 May 1945:
"Dr. Günther, at its 23rd trip to Ilfeld want to visit May 1945 paper historian Dr. White in Erfurt, but has only met his wife while Dr. White on 22 May is dead. "
Handwritten letter from White to Wisso Felix Günther, written on 9 June 1945:
"Dear Sir!
am On Wednesday I came home. The first was that I immediately repaired the roof to some extent, so that it no longer rains come. Having now the most important transitions that are caused by the return and got behind me, I would like to at least send a sign of life. My mother told me that you have recently been there. If you come back the next time through here, I will be able to talk to you about everything thoroughly. Today I want you but begin by thanking you very much for all the effort you have made to the safeguarding of the collections. I hear from my mother, things are good and get you through all the perils through good progress. Meanwhile, they must still stay there until the transport options are better. I have for the time being to do with arrangements and views of his father's estate here.
With very best regards and best wishes, even from my mother
Yours truly Wisso white "
On 17 November 1947 was arrested and Felix Günther in Gera as "Nazi activist" to one year and one week in prison, but has finally released only after 16 months in prison. After his operation on 1 July 1948 had been expropriated, he went to his release in March 1949 to his daughter for icebergs, Minden. There, he was still active in the paper industry and in securities trading and died 8th February 1952 at the age of 80.
Wisso White finally took over his father's legacy and sought long in vain whose idea of a German Paper Museum realize, until in 1957 his collection to the city and thus Greiz to the state (GDR) sold now you taught there in the Lower Castle, the official "German paper museum" one. Wisso White was appointed as director of this museum. 1964, this collection and so the German museum of paper, have been transferred to Leipzig in the German Book and Writing Museum, they are now an essential part of the local paper historical collections. Wisso White also moved to Leipzig and became head of the museum area was until he retired in 1969.
Frank Heinzig
Sources:
correspondence collection Felix Günther in the home and museum of paper Fockendorf.
Ulman White: Charles Theodore White, Prolegomena to a biography.
Dr. Frieder Schmidt, DBSM Leipzig 2004: 100 Birthday of Dr. Wisso white.
available. 
