Objekt des Monats
Jedes Objekt in der Sammlung des Deutschen Auswandererhauses erzählt eine ganz persönliche Auswanderungs- oder Einwanderungsgeschichte. In dieser Rubrik stellen wir Ihnen jeden Monat ein anderes Objekt vor – eine Fotografie, ein Dokument oder ein persönliches Erinnerungsstück.
June 2015
Teddy bear around the year 1920
Historical Classification
Teddy bears have been known since the early 20th century and have had a unique success story since then. However, it is still not clearly established who invented the first teddy bear and how it achieved such immense popularity. It is certain that the world’s first plush bear with movable limbs was introduced in 1902 by Margarete Steiff at the Leipzig Spring Fair. It had the somewhat unappealing name ‘Bear 55 PB.’ It is now widely accepted that the teddy bear got its name from the American president and bear lover Theodore Roosevelt, whose nickname was ‘Teddy.’
Short Biography
After the end of World War II, the Schastok family is expelled from Upper Silesia, which now belongs to Poland. The teddy bear accompanies six-year-old Sabine. The family settles in Bad Zwischenahn, East Frisia. Early on, Sabine develops the desire to emigrate to America, dreaming of the ‘American way of life’ as a teenager. She buys records and secretly listens to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. In 1958, she learns that it is easier for migrants from England to obtain a visa for the USA and moves to London. Naturally, included in the luggage of the now 19-year-old is her beloved childhood friend, her teddy bear. In England, Sabine works as a cook and maid. The lively young woman quickly gains a large circle of friends. Finally, in 1960, her dream comes true: she receives an offer to work as a cook for a wealthy family in the USA. Thus, Sabine and Teddy set off across the North Atlantic.
Significance of the Object
The end of the war in 1945 marks the beginning of the expulsion of Germans and ethnic German families, primarily from Poland, from the eastern regions, from Czechoslovakia, and partly from Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. The Polish, Czech, and other governmental authorities issue deportation orders to the families. Additionally, especially the Poles and Czechs exert significant pressure in the villages and cities; violent outbreaks are not uncommon. How much and what the expelled individuals can take with them solely depends on the discretion of the soldiers and officials overseeing the expulsion. The teddy bear is the only personal possession that Sabine Schastok can take with her. It serves as her comforter and sole friend during the forced relocation and later becomes her only keepsake of her old home.
Many people keep mementos from their childhood into old age. However, if there is only a single object from that time, as in the case of Sabine Schastok, it gains significant value.
Do You Also Have …
… a story of emigration or immigration in your family that you would like to share with the German Emigration Center together with the related objects and documents for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau by phone at +49 471 / 90 22 0 – 0
or by e-mail at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de