Correspondence
Herbert Zipper to Regina Zipper from Dachau (August 15, 1938)
Translation:
15 August 1938
Dear Mother; your last letter of August 4 made me happy. To know that you are with grandfather and the children is very comforting to me. I hope Otto too is already with you. Walter and I are getting along excellently. We are healthy now as then and in good spirits. Please write in the future a bit more details, also whether you have heard anything about Pep and Julia and let the others add a few words. My address must be: H.Z. 14863 born 27.4.1904. For the entire family thousand kisses.
Yours Herbert
Herbert Zipper to Trudl Dubsky Zipper (January 31, 1942)
A letter from Herbert Zipper to Trudl Dubsky Zipper while he was imprisoned by the Imperial Japanese forces in Manila. Trudl had been captured but was released after Herbert claimed she was pregnant. This was false.
To my Trudl for the 31.1.1942
It is the second time within few years
that on this very day
when I wished that you are filled with joyful feelings only,
I am in prison.
It is the second time within few years
that anxiously I ask myself
“did I have the right to make you join the path
that I had to go”?
It is the first time within many years
that I believe to have been right
not to escape from the agonies of injustice that painfully
separate us from each other.
It is the last time in all these many years
that I beg you urgently
to fully comprehend the reason of this painful choice that knowingly I took upon myself.
Herbert
(Unidentified)
Telegram from Leonard Bernstein to Herbert Zipper (March 16, 1949)
A telegram from a young Leonard Bernstein whose career was ascending. Both Zipper and Bernstein were important figures in the classical music world in New York around the same time.
CONGRATULATIONS
by WESTERN UNION
NA042 CGN PD=NEWYORK NY 16 1214P
DR HERBERT ZIPPER=
DONT FONE CARE BROOKLYN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ACADEMY
OF MUSIC BROOKLYN NY=
ALL GOOD WISHES FOR YOUR OPENING CONCERT AND FOR THE LONG LIFE OF THE ORCHESTRA CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO THE CITY OF BROOKLYN ON THIS GREAT STEP FORWARD IN ITS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT SINCERELY=
LEONARD BERNSTEIN=
Telegram from Langston Hughes to Herbert Zipper (November 2, 1950)
Herbert Zipper conducted Langston Hughes’ production of “The Barrier.” The two became friends at the New School for Social Research in New York where both taught.
CONGRATULATIONS
NB 049 CGN PD=NEWYORK NY 2 647P=
HERBERT ZIPPER=
THE BARRIER BROADHURST THEATRE 44 ST WEST OF BROADWAY=
MY VERY BEST WISHES TO YOU ON OUR OPENING TONIGHT=
LANGSTON HUGHES=
Herbert Zipper to Hedy Holt and Walter Zipper (October 14, 1982)
A letter from Herbert Zipper to his siblings, Hedy Holt and Walter Zipper, chronicling his recent experiences in Beijing in 1982. Dr. Zipper visited China numerous times to conduct various orchestras and teach.
Letter No 8 Beijing October 14, 1982
Dear Hedy and Walter,
Upon my return from Tianjin, two days ago
I got your third letter, Hedy, written on your flight from Seattle. Many thanks! I am glad you had such a good time and I feel you ought to do those Seattle trips more often.
Today and the rest of the week I won’t have time
for lengthy descriptions. So much so: Tianjin was a howling success. As you may remember, last year I was there only for two weeks but the reception I got at the train station and at the concert hall was overwhelming. Even all the old and the new top politicians came. The orchestra must have felt the unusual warmth of the occasion and played extra well, especially on Tuesday. At a less hectic time I am going to write more details.
The day after tomorrow, Friday, and next Sunday we have concerts again here. Mozart, Haffner Symphony; Saint-Saëns, Violin Concerto No 3; Brahms, String Variations, Beethoven Symphony No 8 and Sunday encores. Not an every program for Chinese and the time until next Sunday will be filled with rehearsing.
I received my absentee ballot and dispatched it.
It is vert long and I voted for the less obnoxious character and issues.
I read about the terrible fire in the Santa Monica mountains west of Malibu and down to the Pacific Highway. I am glad the family does not live there anymore. It is fire time and I hope we all will be spared again. Until soon and with love for all.
Herbert