Hansi Share, creator of the Monica Doll, was a Jewish emigre to the United States from Germany. In Germany, she was married to Hermann Ploschitzki, co-owner of Karstadt, a German department store chain, who died in 1932. She was subsequently married to Julius Wilhem Fehr, and then Leon Share, who sponsored her emigration to the United States. After her emigration, she designed and created the Monica Doll, which was notable as the first doll to use real human hair implanted in the head. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, clippings, and legal and financial documents. Of particular note is the report on the house built by Hansi and her first husband, Hermann Ploschitzki, which was noted for its architectural design and its contents that included a sizable and valuable art collection (this information may have been prepared for a reparations case that Hansi brought against Germany), love letters between Hansi and Hermann, immigration and naturalization documents for Hansi, letters between Hansi and Vicki Baum, documents and correspondence regarding Hansi's estate planning, and photographs of Hansi and family members.

Hansi Share (1887-1981) was born Johanna Zender in Berlin. She was married to Hermann Ploschitzki, owner of a department store in Potsdam and co-owner of Karstadt, a department store group. Hermann died in 1932, leaving his wife a substantial amount of money and a valuable art collection. Hansi then married the painter and write Julius Wilhlem Fehr, who she divorced around 1941. As a Jew, Hansi experienced oppression under the Nazis, and emigrated to California in the late 1930s. She arrived penniless because the Nazis confiscated and sold all of her property, including the art collection. By 1940, Hansi was listed in the US Census (she became a naturalized citizen in 1945), which also lists her as being married to Leon M. Share, a Russian-American 11 years her junior, who sponsored her immigration. The two lived in Hollywood. In 1949, Leon is listed as the filer on a patent for a princess doll, which was created by his wife.

0.42 Linear Feet 1 box

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