Saul and Yakov Kantor papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: Coll2008-037

Staff Only

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of the Star of David "Jude" patch said to have belonged to Saul Kantor[1]; two drawings by Yakov Kantor inspired by the 2005 Hungarian film Sorstalanság ( Fateless), about the coming of age of a 14-year-old Hungarian Jew at Buchenwald during World War II; and two photographs, 2000 and 2003, of Yakov Kantor.

[1] Information from box 1, item 4. Note that the patch was first required in 1939, in the Warthegau area of Poland, and was extended to Jews living within Germany only in September 1941. If Saul Kantor emigrated in 1939, from Germany, it is unlikely that the patch, although genuine, was his.

Dates

Creation: circa 1941-circa 2005

Creator

Kantor, Yakov David (Person)

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Biography

Saul Kantor was born in Germany in 1912. He maintained a flourishing business as a cabinetmaker until the Nazi rise to power in 1935. After the Nazis instituted increasingly severe restrictions against Jews he fled Germany in 1939, and emigrated to the United States. He died in 1976.

Yakov David Kantor, Saul Kantor's son, was born on November 28, 1952. A sign-painter and graphic artist, his artistic passion was illustrations and drawings of characters from films, television, and comics, with a special fondness for the original Star Trek television series. A member of the Portland, Oregon, Jewish LGBT community, he was also committed to social justice, providing his artistic services to organizations and efforts related to HIV/AIDS and affordable housing. In 1991, he was recognized by the State of Washington for his work with HIV/AIDS organizations, and in 2005 he became involved with Affordable Housing NOW!, in Portland, making most of the signs carried by AHN members at the 2005 and 2006 Housing Justice Day rallies. He died in Portland on April 18, 2007, of the effects of cryptogenic idiopathic neuropathy, a rare neurological disorder with which he was diagnosed in 1993.

Source: Biographical materials for Saul and Yakov Kantor, Saul and Yakov Kantor Papers, Coll2008-027, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of the Star of David "Jude" patch said to have belonged to Saul Kantor (1912-1976); two drawings by his son, Yakov Kantor (1952-2007), a graphic artist and member of the Portland, Oregon, Jewish LGBT community, inspired by the 2005 Hungarian film Sorstalanság ( Fateless); and two photographs, 2000 and 2003, of Yakov Kantor.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Ari Rapkin, February 1, 2008.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Michael P. Palmer, June 18, 2008.

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.