Babe Ruth
1933 Babe Ruth German Card
This particular card is probably the only known card in existence that printed in pre war Germany and is definitely one of a kind.
The card is stamped on the back with the owner of the shop that probably sold the card mainly E. Wiederman/125 Berlin C.2 Germany East. Research of German history indicates that in 1938, which was the turning point for Nazi Germany, what took place was later called the “Night of Broken Glass” and the “Night of the Long Knives”. It was a night of horror throughout Germany. Synagogues, Jewish homes and shops covet up in flames and several Jewish men and women were shot or other wise slain.
The extent of destruction of Jewish shops can not be verified by figures but 7,500 shops were destroyed, 2,171 dwellings were set on fire and looted, 319 synagogues were destroyed and some 30,000 Jews were arrested and killed by the Nazi party during this horrible night. A visit to the address on the card found in an empty field on a street corner in E. Berlin with the address of E. Weiderman, 125 Berlin C2. The cab driver said nothing has been built there for years. It is a possible scenario and conjecture that EW shops were conceivably a victim of the violence of the “Night of the Long Knives and Broken Glass”.
If you will notice on the card that there is a sign above the bleachers naming a hotel advertisement which after careful research indicated a discovery that there was a hotel continental in E. Germany at that time. The hotel was destroyed during the war and nothing further is known.
How this card actually arrived in America is unknown however, it did and the card possibly survived the violence of that terrible night.
Babe Ruth often traveled to Europe and to the surrounding countries. As he was adored in Europe and in the entire area, Babe Ruth played in many exhibition games in Europe and Berlin, Germany. The card pictures the game more than likely that was played in E. Berlin.
Author Unknown
(reprint of letter)