Escaping the Holocaust: Letters from an Austrian Jew

         James Lobell was a prominent businessman in the footwear and shoe polish industry in the United States from the 1920s to the 1960s. I wrote my master's thesis about his experience as an entrepreneur. I was very fortunate, because I am in possession of all of his personal papers: photographs, business plans, financial reviews, personal letters, etc.  He started Cavalier Shoe Polish Company; this was later purchased by KIWI in 1961.  Found in the trove of papers is a grouping of letters from an Austrian Jew, written in 1939. Hitler's Nazi armies invaded Austria in 1938, and thereafter did his best to make life short for most Jews in lands he ruled. 
         So, I have these letters, and I am wondering what happened to this Austrian Jew and his family? Did they survive? The letters will be of use to teachers and students concerned with the Holocaust. I have scanned in the letters below in the order that Mr. Lobell had them grouped. If any of you can help me find information about Sigmund Schmahl, please comment or email me at hills@pitt.k12.nc.us 

Here is information I have uncovered: 
1. From the US Holocaust Museum
2. List of Jews that the Nazis gathered with Sigmund Schmahl's correct name, DOB, and address.
Mystery SOLVED; I received this from the HOLOCAUST MUSEUM in Washington, DC, after I inquired about Sigmund Schmahl:  A preliminary search of the newly-arriving records of the International Tracing Service (ITS) seems to indicate that while Mr. Schmahl survived the War, he died in Italy on December 15, 1949, possibly in Naples.  The surviving members of his family, his wife Hilde (born July 18, 1903) and daughter Herthe (born September 14, 1935) later emigrated to the United States via Bremen, Germany on September 23, 1950.

Letter One

Letter Two 

Letter Three

Letter Four

Letter Five

LETTER Six 

Mr. Lobell kept the envelope and glued it to the back of this letter

Letter Seven