Victory in Europe (VE) day closing schedule sign acquired by relatives of a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 14.000 inches (35.56 cm) | Width: 10.875 inches (27.623 cm)
Creator(s)
- Alexander Wurtz (Subject)
- Rose F. Yasinow (Subject)
- J. B. Yasinow D.D.S. (Subject)
Biographical History
Alexander (Alex) Wurtz was born on March 27, 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Jewish couple, Joseph (b. 1851) and Esther (b.1851) Schuchman Wurtz. He had two brothers, Benjamin (b.1911) and Martin (b. 1923), and two sisters, Sarah (b. 1920) and Clara (b. 1908). His parents and two oldest siblings emigrated from Russia in 1913. His father was a furrier and the family spoke Yiddish at home. Alex worked for the Pearl Garment Corporation in Camden NJ and in 1937 he married Dora Kaplan. Dora was born on September 30, 1917 in Philadelphia, to a Jewish couple, Jacob and Ida Wolf Kaplan. She had an older sister, Rose, who was born in November 1914 in Philadelphia. In 1935, Rose married Dr. J Benjamin Yasinow. Benjamin was born on July 12, 1908, in New York State to a Jewish couple, Philip (1885-1963) and Rosa (1890-1954 later Rose) Polisky Yasinow. He had a younger brother, Errand (b.1910, later Aaron). Benjamin’s parents emigrated from Russia in 1907; the family lived in Buffalo, New York before settling in Philadelphia. His father was a tin smith and later a sheet metal worker in the automobile industry. Benjamin was a dentist and he and Rose had two sons, Franklin and Stephen. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The following day the United States declared war on Japan, and on December 11, Germany declared war on the United States. On January 22, 1944, Alex was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Allies. Alex and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946, and returned to Philadelphia. Dr. J. Benjamin Yasinow, aged 72, died on October 29, 1979 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Rose Yasinow, aged 85, died on February 21, 2000 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Alexander Wurtz, aged 85, died on March 1, 2002 in Palm Beach Florida.
Archival History
The sign was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2011 by Stephen K. Yasinow, the son of Benjamin and Rose Yasinow and nephew of Alexander Wurtz.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Stephen K. Yasinow
Scope and Content
VE Day store closing schedule sign issued by the South Seventh Street Business Men’s Association acquired by Dr. J Benjamin and Rose Yasinow in 1945 while their brother-in-law, Alexander Wurtz, was serving in Europe. Benjamin was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. On January 22, 1944 Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Off white cardstock sign with printed red and blue text announcing the VE day closing schedule for stores. Centered at the top, in blue ink, is an image of Uncle Sam in forward profile from the waist up with his arm and hand pointed forward. He wears a white top hat with a blue band with white stars inside, a blue vest with white stars, and a blue bowtie. Above each of his shoulders is a diagonal row of planes, flying in line. He is flanked by a red V and E. Below are several lines of red and blue text, with the two largest, boldest lines separated by blue horizontal lines with a row of stars. The print area is surrounded by an ornate blue border. Just below the top edge are two holes, the left is torn vertically to the edge and the right has a light brown 16.5” string looped through it. The back is stained with ink from another copy of the sign and the bottom left edge is creased.
Corporate Bodies
- United States. Army. Infantry Division, 9th
Subjects
- Window cards--United States--History.
- Jewish soldiers--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945.
- V-E Day, 1945.
- Philadelphia (Pa.)
Genre
- Information Forms
- Object