Adolf Schwarz

In 2018 two books with ownership stamps by Adolf Schwarz were returned to the Jewish Community of Vienna (Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien, IKG).

The detailed information on the stamps clearly identified the theologist, rabbi and Talmud researcher Dr. Adolf Ayre Schwarz (1846-1931) as the first owner. Schwarz was district rabbi in Karlsruhe and later rector of the Israelitisch-theologische Lehranstalt in Vienna.

Today, Adolf Schwarz's library is part of the IKG collection. It was probably donated by Adolf Schwarz's son Arthur Zacharias (1880-1939).

The library of the IKG was confiscated by the Gestapo in 1938 and then transferred, at least in part, to the library of the Reich Main Security Office (Reichssicherheitshauptamt, RSHA) in Berlin. In the stock of the Berlin City Library (BStB) several volumes of different provenance have already been identified which suggest that the RSHA handed over books to the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Deutsches Auslandswissenschaftliches Institut, DAWI).

Both volumes originate from the BStB's book storage. Even though acquisition journals do not provide any further information, the DAWI clearly was the immediate previous possessor, based on stamps, shelf marks and other evidence. The books probably entered the BStB's stock via the Salvaging Office ("Bergungsstelle").

The ZLB would like to thank the Austrian State Archives for their support with this restitution.