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Share (Hansi) papers
6160
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
German
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Hansi Share papers
creator:
Share, Hansi, 1887-1981
Identifier/Call Number: 6160
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1924-1971
Abstract: 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.
Container: 1
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.
Hansi's dolls, produced between 1941 and 1957 by her Monica Doll Company, were noted for their use of real human hair rooted
in the scalp, and faces that were modeled after famous Hollywood stars and that incorporated pouty lips and painted eyes.
The bodies of these dolls were notable for being longer and leaner than other dolls of the period. They were marked with
the names Monica, Veronica, Joan, Rosalind and Marion and sold at upscale stores like Neiman Marcus and F.A.O. Schwarz.
[Adapted from Wikipedia, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansi_Share]
The Hansi Share papers, 1924-1971, include correspondence, photographs, clippings, and legal and financial documents created
and collected by Hansi Share, creator of the Monica Doll. Included is a 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.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Hansi Share papers, Collection no. 6160, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of
Southern California
The collection is unprocessed.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Jews -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- History -- 1933-1945 -- Archival resources
United States -- Emigration and immigration -- History -- Archival resources
Clippings
Correspondence
Financial records
Legal documents
Photographs
Reports
Share, Hansi, 1887-1981 -- Archives