“... First of all I’d like to thank you very much for both of your lovely letters, and not least for
the nice package. These things cost a lot of money, and I just don’t know how to thank you!
Around here one can get goodies of that kind only at the black market E.g. one pound of
coffee costs between 400.00 and 500.00 RM (Reichsmark), and a pack of cigarettes sells
for 80.00 to 120.00 RM. Hopefully one of these days it will be granted to me to make it up to
you. Tilli personally delivered your gifts to Rees Schmitt, Miss Drescher, and my mother.
My husband went to Fulda and surprised the Eckert family with your presents. I left them
your address, and the Eckerts would like to write to you. They were flabber-gasted when my
husband unpacked all these things; especially Mr. Eckert, who is an addicted smoker In
Germany people currently smoke but ”field, forest, and meadow”. So, if there is a chance for
men to get their hands on American cigarettes they are happy.
Yet, in spite of their rather modest earnings and the delayed processing of the reparations
lasting for years, they sent packages containing much coveted luxury items to their friends
and acquaintances in Huenfeld. This we learn from thank-you letters written in 1947 by
Joseph’s ”right hand” of many years, Luise:
“... First of all I’d like to thank you very much for both of your lovely letters, and not least for
the nice package. These things cost a lot of money, and I just don’t know how to thank you!
Around here one can get goodies of that kind only at the black market E.g. one pound of
coffee costs between 400.00 and 500.00 RM (Reichsmark), and a pack of cigarettes sells
for 80.00 to 120.00 RM. Hopefully one of these days it will be granted to me to make it up
to you. Tilli personally delivered your gifts to Rees Schmitt, Miss Drescher, and my
mother. My husband went to Fulda and surprised the Eckert family with your presents. I left
them your address, and the Eckerts would like to write to you. They were flabber-gasted
when my husband unpacked all these things; especially Mr. Eckert, who is an addicted
smoker In Germany people currently smoke but ”field, forest, and meadow”. So, if there is
a chance for men to get their hands on American cigarettes they are happy.
Some time ago Mrs. Kohlmann told me about a package she had received from you, and
that there was half a pound of coffee in it for me.
She handed it over to my mother right away, who was very much delighted since for her
coffee is just like medicine. I thank you most cordially for your kindness.
I myself am able to do without coffee, however, our mother misses it terribly. Let’s hope
that the time will come once again, when we can buy an item like that in Germany....”
