Wallenberg, Raoul

1) Typed document signed by Wallenberg ("RWallenberg", in blue ink), as secretary of the Royal Swedish Legation in Budapest, being a grant of protection and safe passage made out to János Károly, in Hungarian, saying that he is to be treated as a Swedish national, and be exempted from having to wear the distinguishing sign [as a Jew], 1 page, oblong 8vo, numbered "8195", printed stationery of the Königlich schwedische Gesandschaft, Budapest, 26 September 1926 

2) Printed Schutz-Pass ("Schweden--Svédország"), made out for "Dr Alexander Károly", (born 19 July 1889), printed in German and Hungarian, signed ("Dr.KárolySandor") and by the ambassador, Ivan Danielsson, 1 page, folio, printed in blue and yellow, numbered "81/94", Budapest, 26 September 1944, together with Károly's graduation certificate (1912)



3) Printed Schutz-Pass made out for "Gabriel Károly", born 1930, printed in German and Hungarian, signed ("Károly Gábor") and by Danielsson, 1 page, folio, printed in blue and yellow, numbered "81/96" Budapest, 26 September 1944



4) Printed Schutz-Pass made out for "Johann Károly" (ie János Károly), born 1935, printed in German and Hungarian, unsigned by the boy (but see no.1 above), signed by Danielsson, 1 page, folio, printed in blue and yellow, numbered "81/95" Budapest, 26 September 1944



5) Typed document bearing Wallenberg's stamped signature, but with the details entered in blue ink, in Hungarian, attesting to the validity of the 4 Schutz-Pässe issued to Sándor Károly, and to Magta, János and Gábor Károly, 1 page, oblong 8vo, numbered ("Sch[utz] P[ässe] 81/94, 81/97, 81/95, 81/96"), typed title of the Königlich schwedische Gesandschaft, Budapest, 26 September 1926  



5 items, all bearing the stamp of the Königlich schwedische Gesandschaft in Budapest, some wear and a few small holes

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Documents signed by Raoul Wallenberg, one of the great heroes of World War II, are of the utmost rarity. These document have the additional interest of being signed by the Swedish Ambassador himself, Ivan Danielsson.

Whilst working as a secretary at the Embassy (technically the Royal Swedish Legation) in Budapest in 1944-1945, Wallenberg saved tens of thousands of Jews by granting them quasi-official documents of safe passage to Sweden, as Swedish nationals, and exempting them from having to bear the distinguishing yellow Star of David.  His personal bravery extended to handing out such passes to Jews on trains destined for Auschwitz, whilst under fire.  These documents were also issued by his fellow diplomats at Budapest including (as here) the ambassador himself, Ivan Danielsson (1880-1963), and by another secretary, Per Anger.  Wallenberg was honoured by many countries after the war, and all three men are numbered by Israel among the "Righteous Among Nations" for saving Jews from the Holocaust.  Wallenberg himself was captured by advancing Russian forces after the Siege of Budapest, and died in unexplained circumstances, most likely in the Lubyanka in Moscow in 1947. However, Alexander ("Sandor") Karoly (D.o.B. 19 July 1889) is recorded as dying in Springfield Township, New Jersey, in July 1983, aged 94 (United States Social Security Death Index). Wallenberg's heroism in this instance, as in so many others, was not in vain.