Restitutions

Norica manuscripts from the collection of Max Süßheim (1876–1933)

Nürnberger Chronik bis 1623, mit Nachträgen bis 1687, unbekannter Verfasser, 1447 - 1687
©Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns

In 2014, as a result of provenance research carried out at the Stadtarchiv Nürnberg on parts of the Norica collection of the lawyer Dr. Max Süßheim (b. 20 July 1876 in Nuremberg; d. 1 March 1933 in Nuremberg) held there, the Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns (General Directorate of the Bavarian State Archives) was made aware of objects with the same provenance in the Staatsarchiv Nürnberg. Through inheritance, this collection came into the possession of Max Süßheim’s brother, Prof. Dr. Karl Süßheim (b. 21 January 1878 in Nuremberg; d. 13 January 1947 in Istanbul/Turkey) who had to sell it before emigrating to Turkey in 1941. Its expropriation as a result of Nazi persecution has been proven beyond doubt. The lawyer Dr. Robert Linder was entrusted with the sale of the objects confiscated and stored at the Central Customs Office in Schwanthalerstrasse in Munich. Through Linder the management of the Bavarian State Archives acquired 42 works, of which 41 were transferred to the Staatsarchiv Nürnberg and one (the ‘Meisterbuch der Sattler in Nürnberg, 1494–1700’) sold directly to the Stadtarchiv Nürnberg.

 

Provenienz: - 1933 Max Süßheim, Nürnberg – 1933-16.01.1941 Karl Süßheim – seit 16.01.1941 Staatsarchiv Nürnberg.
©Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns

In restitution negotiations sought by Süßheim’s heirs after 1945, an agreement was reached to make compensatory payments in lieu of the restitution of part of the original property. However, it is unclear from the respective files whether consideration was given to the Norica collection or not. In close cooperation with the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the Stadtarchiv Nürnberg that are both also effected, the Generaldirektion der Staatlichen Archive Bayerns approached Süßheim’s heirs and offered to restitute the manuscripts and printed documents expropriated in 1941. The heirs have suggested that all parts of the Süßheim collection should be brought together in the form of a depot at the Stadtarchiv Nürnberg.