Portfolios

Congratulations to a new year and I want the new year to be better than the previous one and I want all misfortune to disappear.

From Polya Dechtar to Anna and Chaim Dechtar

The collection of Polya’s memorabilia begins with this postcard from 1906. It appears as pretty and simple. It is a New Year’s card, a Rosh Hashanah card, from Polya in Kishinev to her parents in Kishinev. Considering the pogroms of Kishinev in 1905 (and earlier in 1903), the optimism for a better year than the last one is quite an understatement.

For Arona Bukhshpuna

Thank you, Aron, for your greetings. I also wish you all the best. You probably know about me already how I got settled. How is your study? How is life?

Lurenz. To get some bread. The card: Meppava (?) August 10, 1909. Mr. Silberang Kishinev (Bassarabia) Harlanlniskaya 65 Dear M-sier (name): I received your beautiful card. […]

September 21, 1910 Postcard  woman near coffin, text reads “ Crying” or a Last Name (Revesh)? “Faith” Back: Kishinev September 21, 1910 To Dechtiar For Polya, […]

Postcard to Arnold from Klara December 20, 1911 Front: Prinyachnikov Tretyakov Museum Woman receiving bad news from a Letter "Reading of the Letter in the Vegetable […]

January 21, 1912 To Kishinev, Osland (Russia in German)  Nikolaievskaia  Pushkinskaia 116 To Polya Dechtiar [The stamp indicates the card comes from Austria.] Dear Polinka!    […]

September 20, 1912 “Angel the Savior” By Richemont Alexandrovkaya Street 65 Purre to Mr. Kh. Degtiar for Polya Here. [Kishinev to Kishinev] Polya! Happy new year. […]

February 24, 1913 from Roza in France (Address was upside down.) 100 Alexandrovskaya Street #100 Kishinev To Andrusier For Polya Dear Polinka, Since I can’t writer […]

Yes, Polya, the situation and the condition is really very difficult and sad, but it could be more than it is. Why do you have those difficult and sad thoughts? It sounds like an end of life for you. You are afraid of this foreign country, and it seems the end of life to you.

3 Kopeks and an image of the Tsar on the stamp Slavouta Postcard  (plain) July 16, 1913 and arrived on July 17, 1913 Date seems to […]

I just came back when I saw the mail person. I was so happy jumping and screaming and my voice sounded really strange to myself because before I was very pensive and now it feels like I knew that there is something from you and when you reach a hand to get it, it often happens that they give you the figa.

Plain Postcard from S. Izner To Kishinev     Tshasovenny #5 House of Kazango Apartment of Schneider 08 12 1913 Greetings, Polya. You are lucky like a […]

Plain Postcard from Nina [Dechtiar, who is Polya's younger sister after Roza, and is living in Paris] To Kishinev     Tshasovenny #5 House of Kazango Apartment […]

Plain Postcard from Tsillie [Andrusier, who is a school friend and also a cousin to Aron] in Warsaw To Kishinev     Tshasovenny #5 House of Kazango […]

A Note from Aron to Polya No envelope extant I greet you, Pulkheriya Yefimova. I cannot agree with that opinion about which I told you yesterday. […]

My lovely Polinka!

Greeting you from the bottom of my heart. Like the old saying goes, “let’s begin.”

I am in a hurry to write a second letter to you. Like we agreed, I responded on the day when I received your first letter and I was waiting for something from you when you were on your way. I was very disappointed because I did not receive a single word.

Letter to Poline from Aron Buff envelope. January 13, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My darling friend Pulinka, Unfortunately, to my horror […]

I am writing to tell you that I received your lovely letter, your first letter, and I am very grateful for that. To tell the truth, this letter cost me half of my life and the same amount of my health.

Mournful demon is greeting you.

Letter to Poline from Aron Buff envelope January 22, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 I am in a hurry, my dear mommy, […]

Welcome, my dear comrade, Pulinka. I went to the post office No letter again. I am offended. The day is long and sad. I have been sad since you left me. Sitting alone here…thinking about you here.

Mom is at home again. The thing is that she has to take x-rays and came here for advice because it is expensive.

My dear Polya, you are writing to me that you have no idea what I am feeling, but yesterday and today I had such difficult days to endure such a difficult suffering that no mind can comprehend.

The melancholy will kill me,
Will kill my life.
It sings a song
About the close friend of mine.

It has been three weeks since you left, but I have been suffering during these three weeks and it seems to me that those are not three weeks but 30 years. I am in a hurry to greet you as a first bird in spring.

Letter to Poline from Aron  Blue envelope February 12, 1914 [Russian calendar] and February 25, 1914 [French calendar] Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 […]

A Note to Poline Dechtar from L Svirskiy Brown envelope February 13, 1914 [French calendar] Address in Paris to Paris Rue Vielle du Temple 41 Well-respected […]

I think that I will be a happy person for only one reason if I would be able to leave those people this nasty circle of vileness and meanness where I am at right now. Yes, Polya, America seems to be a yellow evil, but I think that we will be able to find peace for ourselves better there than here or in Paris.

A Postcard to Poline from Aron February 21, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 The Spring is Coming Mon chere ami, Poline. I […]

A Letter to Poline from Aron Blue envelope February 22, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My happy life, my unforgettable friend, Polinka! […]

A Letter to Poline from Aron No envelope extant February 22/March 7 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My longed for Friend, my […]

A Postcard to Poline from Aron Titled "Before Execution" March 1, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41  29/13 of February Friday. Bon soir, […]

A Postcard to Poline from Aron Titled "Poetry" March 1, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Friday 7/20 March 1914 I greet you, […]

A Letter to Poline from Aron March 1/14 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My dear friend, my good friend, Poline. I am […]

A Letter to Polya from Tsillie March 4, 1914 Buff envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 To Poline from Andrusier Dear Polinka. Finally […]

On the other hand, I still haven’t received the creditcard [shifscard?] nor a passport. Those issues are really difficult and drive me crazy. It’s horrible. It is hard. Nobody exists in my life at this time but you.

A Letter to Poline from Aron March 7, 1914 Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Friday 7/20 March My dear child, sun […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 9, 1914 [Girl with Flowers] Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday 9/22 March 1914 A child Gelenka […]

Letter to Poline from Aron March 12, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Dear Soul, My friend. I am going to be short […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 12, 1914 Woman with Letters Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 [No postmark. This postcard could have been […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 12, 1914 Angel having a child go to a woman "My child, come to me." Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille […]

Letter to Poline from Aron March 16, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 16/29 11:30pm I greet you, my dear old lady, my […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 19, 1914 Woman in boat with parasol, swans Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 [On the front:] How […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 19, 1914 Woman with Flower Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Wednesday 19/1 March My dear friend Poline, […]

Postcard to Poline from Sarra March 21, 1914 Schraum Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 March 21, 1914 for Paula Dektyar Bonjour macher ami […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 22, 1914 Plain Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 [The physical postcard and scan have been misplaced, but […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 22, 1914 Glory Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Pulen’ka, my darling! I am asking you one more […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 23, 1914 Woman in Veils Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Front: I love the grasses in the […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 23/5, 1914 No envelope extant Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday March/April 23/5, 1914 11:oopm The beauty […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 27, 1914 Woman with Letters Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Thursday 27/9 March I greet you from […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron [most likely] No date. [1914 perhaps] Bagpiper No address or stamp [may have been included within a letter or a newspaper. […]

Tears of People
Oh! Tears of people
You are pouring always; sooner or later
You are unknown, you are countless
We are unseen
You are drainless
You are pouring
like a brook
after rain
During the autumn
and during the night.

Partial Letter to Poline from Arnold March, 1914 perhaps I don't think about anything but being with you. In my next letter, I am going to […]

I don’t have any willpower to tell my mom, and I suffer because of that. She only knows that after Easter I am going to leave for Paris. She doesn’t know anything about you, and I don’t know how to talk with my Mom about it. With regards to my quitting, everybody will be talking about it, but it doesn’t bother me at all, not at all. Let the dogs bark.

Here at Kishinev, pour! God damn!…everything is really disgusting. Even the sky cries bitter tears, pouring us…Well, what of it? No doubt you know, old fellow, how the tears (make it worse-heaven’s tears) affect the bipeds…No, no. The stones are everywhere. We just sit here staring senselessly at the mother earth…and baddish thoughts are pounding the noodle.

Letter to Poline from Aron March 30, 1914 Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday 10:00 in the evening My soul, my […]

Howdy, Heracles. Well, How is life? No response to repine at unhappy lot! We are alive! Yes, yes, luckily despite everything, we are alive! So far we didn’t die…That’s all! Well, one more thing: I received the newspaper today with some notes, and a very interesting postcard “the Blind…She is blind, she is seeking but can’t find anything.” It is sad to be able to see with your open eyes and to see nothing ahead of you, and to find nothing. Yes, brother, it is dark and boring. I need to distinguish a light in the distance…

Torn Partial Letter, from Polya to Arnold March or April, 1914 perhaps May or may not have been sent When we strive to see each other […]

Jingle bell Arnoldushka! Sing with me! I received your 2nd postcard yesterday with a verset. You promised a letter. Look at this picture. It is a fist in case if you won’t keep your promise. My brother, you don’t know Petunka yet! I’ll be at you once you lie to me, again! I’ll cop you! Well! Farewell, Comrade. Petyuka.

Postcard to Poline from Aron March 31, 1914 Plain Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 [The physical postcard and scan have been misplaced, but […]

Small rectangular piece of graph paper  [to Poline from Aron] [April, 1914] No envelope [Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41] Good evening, Polya. Since […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron April 3, 1914 Plain Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Thursday 3/16 April 1914 My dear friend Petuka, I […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron April 6, 1914 Plain Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday 2:00 am April 6, 1914 My adorable friend, […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron April 6, 1914 Plain Odessa to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday April 6, 1914 My sincere greeting to you, […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron April 7, 1914 Plain Odessa to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My darling friend, Poline. I am well and healthy. […]

Letter to Poline from Aron April 9, 1914 Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Soul – My dear, my darling Polinka. Welcome, […]

Postcard to Poline from Tsillie [probably] April 8, 1914 Woman, G. Buchner Study Kisinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My dear Pestunchik, I have […]

Letter to Poline from Aron April 12, 1914 Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Saturday April 12/25, 1914 I greet you with […]

Letter to Poline from Aron April 14, 1914 Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Tuesday April 14/27, 1914 I am alive and […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron April 16, 1914 Dream [No address, so probably was in a letter from April 16, 1914, perhaps with a newspaper Kishinev […]

I still couldn’t understand this letter and the next postcard you sent to me. I understand everything you’re talking about and even more, but how can we know what is lying ahead of us? Am I a sinner in God’s eyes? Why do I have to suffer that much? Do I have to be the right one? And does it have to be the way I see it?

My little swine boy, I was really happy to receive your letter 30/12. I didn’t feel well under the influence of the presence of one person at that time which influenced me in a very desperate bad way and your letter came as something that comforts me a lot.

Postcard to Aron from Polya April 20, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Sunday 20/3 Picture of a woman lying and a man. […]

Postcard to Aron from Polya April 23, 1914 Paris to Kishinev Ekaterinaskaya 62 On The Quays, Albert Creswell ii/V (French date, May 2nd ) Arnoldushka, Hi. […]

When you left me in Bendery, I felt like it wouldn’t be possible to bear that difficult time. But the time is passing, and it’s almost the end. Tomorrow is the last day of the shop. What does it mean to leave the shop? What’s going on there? You can’t imagine. Uncle is giving ten more rubles for me not to leave. And they all are crying about me.

Postcard to Poline from Aron [Probably April, 1914 Mailed with a letter Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41] Loves kissing in a field of […]

I came really late last night from the store and was busy till 1:00 in the morning getting ready for my trip. Tomorrow everything will be clear and it is possible that I am going to have a new [not clear] name. And it will be wonderful.

Postcard to Aron from Yeva Andrussier [cousin] Wanda Radford April 30, 1914 [No address; not mailed Probably Kishinev to Kishinev] April 30, 1914 postcard Wanda Radford […]

Postcard to Aron from Andrussier  Bachantin [Maenad with a Baby] May 1, 1914 [No address; not mailed Probably Kishinev to Kishinev] May 1, 1914  To the […]

Today the international working class is celebrating the freedom from the capitalistic slavery [drudgery] and protest against arbitrariness [unfairness].

Postcard to Poline from Aron Plain May 2, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Friday the 2nd of May, 1914 I greet you, […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron Picture of woman with a violin: “For whom are those moanings [groans] of suffering? For whom is my sad song?” May […]

Letter to Poline from Aron Blue envelope May 4, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 May 4/17, 1914 Welcome, my lovely dear girl. […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron Picture of woman on a bench reading in the woods; text reads “Tiresome waiting” May 7, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue […]

Letter to Poline from Aron Blue envelope On graph paper May 10, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 My dear friend, I greet […]

Letter to Poline from Aron Blue envelope On graph paper May 17, 1914 Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Saturday May 17, 1914 My […]

Note to Polya from Z. Nissandoma (?) One-page note regarding Nina 17/5, 1914 and third of June in Paris postmark, sent to Monsieur Decktyar Kishinev to […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron Love child is kissing you Maillart. Cupid. Dog or wolf? Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 I greet you […]

Partial Letter to Poline from Aron No envelope extant Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 [May 1914, perhaps. Starts on p. 5] Please know, […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron Woman Reading a Book Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Thursday May 22, 1914 Good day, my dear best […]

Letter to Poline from Aron Blue envelope Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 May 23, 1914 7:00am I greet you with my whole heart, […]

Postcard to Poline from Aron Plain Kishinev to Paris Rue Vieille du Temple 41 Saturday May 24, 1914 3:00 in the afternoon Hello my dear friend, […]

Why are you listening to those scoundrels like Shika or Goldman? Nina has thrown him away from the window. Literally. As a kitten. Why do you believe those words of those people? My dear, I ask you, for your sake and for my health, please don’t get upset.

Letter to Poline from Tsillie Buff envelope Kishinev to Chicago To Miss Poline c/o M. W. Fagin Central Park Ave. S. 1506 at Chicago July 2, […]

Postcard to Poline from Roza R. Ch. Peyre-Offrand À Vénus Central Park Ave. Salon 1506 Fagin To Chicago from Brooklyn, NY July 3, 1914 Dear Poline, […]

You cannot imagine what’s going on here. Terrible things. Too much tears. Fourteen people from our workshop were taken. Misha, Orzhekchovsky, Yasha, and many others. All of them go to the war. Bessarabia has war conditions right now. They take everybody who is 43 years old, even though they served 21 years ago.

Letter to Poline from Nina No date [July, 1914 perhaps] No envelope extant [Kishinev to the Chicago] Dear Polinka, I received your last letter in which […]

Nobody from the soldiers is going to leave before the 8th of the month. Yarochevsky’s son, Schwartzman, Bogach, Grobdruk, Kogan, Moldavsky and others. Everybody is screaming and crying at the train station. But they told us what happened in the synagogue when Misha in his uniform approached Amvom[?] and sang a prayer and it looked like even the walls were crying.

I don’t dare to let anybody else but you into a secret about my real condition. Since you lived in America, you will understand me.

This word “America” is loud, actually too loud to shock the ear. While living in Russia, America seems like a paradise, in which any average man can find peace for his soul and can make his living well.

Postcard to Miss Pauline from Tsillie February 10, 1915 From Kishinev to Mr. Goldberg, 617 E 135th Street, Bronx, New York My God, what can we […]

Postcard to Pauline from Tsillie May 14, 1915 From Kishinev to Mr. Goldberg, 617  E 135th Street, Bronx, New York I refuse to understand what does […]

Postcard to Pauline from Tsillie August 13, 1915 From Kishinev to Mr. Reisman, 6396 138 Street, Bronx, New York Hello Dear Polinka, Finally, please understand I […]

Postcard to Pauline from Tsillie January 8, 1916 From Kishinev to Mr. Goldberg 617 E 135th Street Bronx, New York Dear Polinka, I am very concerned […]

Postcard to Pauline from M. Dechtar To Goldberg 617 E 135th Street Bronx, New York From M. Dechtar, Rue de Tournelles No. 3 Paris January 8, […]

Postcard to Pauline from Nina [her youngest sister] To Goldberg 617 E 135th Street Bronx, New York From Montreaux, Suisse: Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerland  Le Quai et Les […]

Postcard to Bookspan from Hana S. Hirschenberg Goldberg 617 E 135th Street, Bronx New York, America From Kishinev 20 September, 1916 Greetings to you, my darling. […]

Postcard to M. Dechtar from Nina Chez Monsieur Doner Rue D'Assas, 126 Paris From Lausanne, Switzerland My Dearest Daddy, From the letter from Monsieur Dorée I […]

Being lonely here this evening, of course, I’m thinking about you a close person so far away from me now. I cannot picture you in America how you look like. I haven’t seen you for three years and I am not sure if we are going to see each other again. It’s up to a destiny to decided, isn’t it?

Postcard to P. B. from Nina Plain Mr. Ehrlich 52 West 24 Street NY, New York From Lausanne, Switzerland My dear Polinka, I was very happy […]

Dear children, I have received your card. I thank you many times for having promptly replied to me from your trip. I imagined you were away for a year. With one thing I am very pleased: that you have already returned safely from your trip. and also I’m very glad of your good meeting with Aron’s sisters, their receiving you from the bottom of their hearts. I thank them many times, my best unknown friends.

Postcard to P.B. [Pauline Bookspan] from Tsillie Plain From Kishinev toMr. G. Ehrlich 57 24th Street, New York , America February 12, 1917 My Dear Polinka, […]

Postcard to P. B. Plain, Card says March 3, 1917 but postmark says April 10, 1917 [From Tsillie Andrusier] From Kishinev to M. George Ehrlich 57 West […]

Postcard to P. B. Plain [From Tsillie Andrusier] From Kishinev to M. George Ehrlich 57 West 24th Street New York, America April 10, 1917 There are […]

Postcard to P.B. [Pauline Bookspan] from Tsillie Plain From Kishinev to Mr. G. Ehrlich 57 24th Street, New York , America April 28, 1917 Polinka, my dear. […]

Postcard to Polya and Aron From M. Feldman Musée  du Luxembourg, D. Peuch, La Muse D'André Chenier June 17, 1917 I am giving this statue Salome […]

Postcard Addressee Unknown From George Ehrlich From New York to New York, not mailed July 5, 1917 To love a woman passionately; to have an ideal […]

Postcard Plain to Poline[e] Bookspan From Hana [One of Aron's sisters] From Kishinev to Mr. George Ehrlich 57 West 24 Street New York America July 12, 1917 […]

Postcard Plain to Pauline B. From Tsillie Andrusier From Kishinev to Mr. G. Ehrlich 57 West 24 Street New York America August 3, 1917 My dear Polinka, […]

Postcard to P. Bookspan Return of Spring From George [Ehrlich[ From New York to  P. Bookspan c/o M. Osterhoude Fleischman, NY August 23, 1917 Dear Polya, […]

Postcard to P. B. Plain From Tsillie Andrusier From Kishinev M. George Ehrlich 57 West 24th Street New York, America September 6, 1917 I greet you, […]

Postcard to Pauline Plain but expensive, international card, 4+3+3 kopeks [2/3rds down a line looks censored, marked out] From Tsillie Andrusier From Kishinev M. George Ehrlich […]

Letter to Polinka From Tsillie No envelope extant [Kishinev to New York assumed] No date [possibly late 1917] Dear Polinka, Everybody is writing now at the […]

Note to Pauline No envelope extant From Tsillie  From Kishinev May 1, 1918 Polinka! A kiss from me from the island of Bessarabia. We cannot or […]

Postcard to Pauline Pauline From Tsillie, in Odessa [?] [Note: was a civil war in Russia in 1918] Mr. Goldberg For Pauline 135th Street 617E Bronx, […]

Yes, Polya, what is happening behind the walls of our houses and cities is indescribable. The blood becomes cold in my veins. The words have no power and no color to describe and to draw that horror in the world. Please God, fogive this sinful earth.

Send me the pictures from your family, from the little Annette, Rosa with his [her] husband; papa is very glad to hear something from Madam Valger, he knows her very well; she is his cousin.

This is the front cover to Aron's Notebook. He began it while in Kishinev and continued writing in it for several years, including his time in […]

Inside cover of Aron's Notebook. Book and Stationer’s Shop “Education” Kishinev, Aleksandrovsk,  Doncheva House Yu. Volin’s Printing House, Kishinev

Aron’s Notebook Pages 03 to 07 are a draft of the letter he sent to Polya from Kishinev to Paris on January 13, 1914.

Aron's Notebook Pages 08 to 13 are a draft of the letter he sent to Polya from Kishinev to Paris on January 18, 1914.    

Aron's Notebook Pages 14 to 21 are a draft of a letter from Aron to Polya.  The 6th letter 01/27/1914                              02/11 according to them I am […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 22 and 23 are a record of his correspondence sent to Polya. Already letters 7-8 letter 02/11 9th letter  Tuesday 10th letter 02/12 […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 24 to 29 are a draft of a letter to Polya, February 22, 1914. To compare: February 22, 1914 no envelope. 02/22/1914 The […]

Aron's Notebook Page 30 is a draft of text for a postcard to Polya sent March 9, 1914. To compare: "Postcard to Poline from Aron March […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 31 and 32. Aron continues the record of his correspondence with Polya. 16/29 April Thursday letter  24th 19/      Saturday  postcard  23d 20/3 Sunday […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 33, 34, and 35. Draft of Aron's letter to Polya, saying he will see her in five days. That is, his trip from […]

Aron's Notebook Page 36. Draft of a letter or postcard to his relatives, who live in the U.S. Dating would be around July of 1914. Dear […]

Aron's Notebook Page 37. [Self-explanatory.]

June 14th 1916 – two years since we have lived in America.

We got married on February 28, 1916.

Aron's Notebook Page 44. To His High Ancestry Sir Sergeant At Arms of the 3d District of the City of Kishinev From hand of (first name […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 45 to 49.   Pulya! If there are some mistakes in my poems, I let you know that I am not a poet […]

Aron's Notebook Pages 50 to 51.   Addresses.

Aron's Notebook Pages 52 to 64 p 52 not in Russian- S.A. p53 ..and in the field. In the heart of the man to drink the […]

These are from the book of Labor Songs in Polya’s collection.  I date the book around 1913 or 1914. My assumption is that this book belonged to Aron, as  Polya never voiced such political ideas when I knew her. It begins with the “Internationale.”

Page 2 Labor Song #2 BLACK BANNER Comrades, the supreme power of the capital oppresses us everywhere, Comrades, already long ago the time has come for […]

Page 3 Labor Song #3 FIGHTERS FOR THE IDEA Fighters for the Idea! Giants of Labor! The bloody battle hour has come! To the barricades!  Wounds […]

The music to the "Workers' Marseillaise" is based on tune of the French "Marseillaise." The lyrics were written by Pyotr Lavrov and first published on July […]

  The song "Varshavyanka" was originally a Polish socialist revolutionary song, written some time between  1879 to 1883.  It was an anthem for protesting workers during […]

Pages 7 and 8 Labor Song #6 RED BANNER The people's flag is deepest red, It shrouded oft our martyred dead, And ere their limbs grew […]

Page 9 Labor Song #7 BRAVELY, FRIENDs Bravely, friends. Do not lose cheerfulness in the unequal battle. You save the native motherland and your own honor […]

Page 10 Labor Song #8 BRAVELY, COMRADES Bravely, comrades. When we march in step, let our spirit be stronger in the fight. We are building the […]

Pages 11 and 12 Labor Song #9 THE LAST 'FORGIVE ME' I do not have a translation or a video for this song. The fighters say […]

Pages 12 and 13 This is a partial translation of the song, but you get the general idea. Labor Song #10 RAGE, TYRANTS! Rage, tyrants! Jeer […]

Page 13 Labor Song #11 DEATH MARCH The music for this song of revolution is based on the Marche Funèbre for piano written by Frédéric Chopin in 1837.  

Pages 14 and 15 Labor Song #12 THE CUDGEL (DUBINUSHKA) Here is a snippet:  Let us cover! Let us cover: Yes, let us below! From the […]

Pages 15 and 16 Labor Song #13 THE GOER (AKA THE WALKER) [This is not a full translation, but it gives you an idea of the […]

Pages 16, 17, and 18 Labor Song #14 THE CALLING SONG [This is not a full translation, but it gives you an idea of the lyrics.] […]

Pages 18, 19, and 20 Labor Song #15 WHAT A PICTURE! [This is not a full translation, but to give you an idea of the lyrics...] […]

Pages 20 and 21 Labor Song #16 TWO CAMPS [This is not a full translation, but to give you an idea of the lyrics...] In M1p4 […]

Pages 21 and 22 Labor Song #17 THE SONG OF THE WEAVER [This is not a full translation, but to give you an idea of the […]

Pages 23 and 24 Labor Song #18 BREAD OR BULLET    

Pages 24 and 25 Labor Song #19 THE HATRED SONG [I do not have a translation for this song, but here is the opening to give […]

Pages 25, 26, and 27 Labor Song #20 TO THOSE WHO SLEEP [I do not have a translation for this song, but here is the opening […]

  Page 27 LABOR SONG #21 TO THE VICTIMS OF JANUARY 9TH The song expresses solidarity with the those unarmed demonstrators who were killed on January […]

Pages 28 and 29 Labor Song #22 THE DISOBEDIENCE SONG The song says, "An hour of disobedience struck for us; Let us liberate ourselves with glory!" […]

Pages 29, 30, and 31 Labor Song #23  YOUNG RUSSIA "Young Russia is coming!"  

Pages 31 and 32 Labor Song #24  WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING, STUPID? "In villages, cities Death and hunger reign. But the working people, knowing their power, […]

Page 33 Labor Song #25  THE SONG OF THE LANDLESS PEASANT "The rich man is a fool. And he cannot sleep with the treasury; The landless […]

Pages 34 and 35 Labor Song #26  THE YEARLING (or THE RECRUIT) The young recruit goes forth and says he will never return to the village.

Pages 35, 36, and 37 Labor Song #27 BEFORE SUBJECTION  

Pages 37, 38, and 39 Labor Song #28 SEVEN SKINS The skins of oppression. "They live happily in the capitol and the seven skins are biting […]

Pages 39, 40, and 41 Labor Song #29 A SOLDIER'S LIFE "Every will is taken away. Every truth is cursed!"

Pages 41 and 42 Labor Song #30 FOR FREEDOM "The people of the workers are vying to avenge their fathers and daughters."

Pages 42 and 43 Labor Song #31 FOR WIT "It is hard for the Russian soldier to serve..."

Pages 43 and 44 Labor Song #32 THE TSAR "Our Tsar is a Prussian Prussian. Oh, yes, the Tsar! Oh yes, the Tsar! The Orthodox sovereign! […]

Page 45 Labor Song #33 IN A GOOD HOUR The workers and peasants are not enemies and can join together.  

Page 46 Labor Song #34 THREE KNIVES The singer of the song has come from the smithy with three knives. One is for the boyars (aristocracy), […]

Pages 46 and 47 Labor Song #35 THE DARING  

Pages 47 and 48 Labor Song #36 THE PIPE  

Pages 48, 49, and 50 Labor Song #37 END OF WORK  

Pages 50 and 51 Labor Song #38 GOOSE  

Pages 51 and 52 Labor Song #39 SHIP-OARS!  

Page 53 Labor Song #40 THE TSAR AND THE PEASANT  

Page 54 Labor Song #41 MARCH OF THE ANARCHISTS  

  Pages 54, 55, 56, and 57 LABOR SONG #42 KAMARINSKAYA The melody is from an old Russian folk song.  

  Pages 58, 59, and 60 LABOR SONG #43 FAIRY TALE ABOUT THE PRIEST AND THE DEVIL    

  Pages 61, 62, 63, and 64 LABOR SONG #44 IT HAPPENED NEAR PORT ARTHUR [The Battle of Port Arthur occurred on February 9, 1904, at […]

The front and inside cover of Polya's passport from Kishinev in Russia. It was issued in 1913 and which allowed her to go in 1914 to […]

Pages 1 to 11 of Polya’s Russian passport. Issued on December 31, 1913, it allowed her to go on January, 1914 to Paris, and then to America June/July, 1914.

Pages 12 of Polya's Russian passport, with her photo and a seal.

Pages 13 to 20 of Polya's Russian passport. There is only a stub for pages 18 and 19, as that was torn out of the passport.

Pages 21 to 24 of Polya's Russian passport. 

Inside the back cover and the back cover to Polya's Russian passport.

This is the first page of Polya’s Train Ticket. The speculation is that she was traveling from Paris to Alexandrowo and back to Kishinev in 1913, perhaps with a child (a sibling?). 

  These pages (that is, p02 and p03) have a diagram of the route. P02 is for those who speak French and German. P03 is in […]

P05 Says it is Page -3- Traffic French-Belgian-Russian Left-hand side in French (one word in German) and then repeated in Russian In the absence of the […]

Says it is page -15- [German] French-Belgian-Russian Traffic No 1, 264 Bureau 26 Paris to Alexandrowo For Verviers-Herbesthal-Aachen-Berlin Third Class Valid for a direct route. Ticket […]

Page 09 Says it is page -17- [Text in French, then German and Russian.] Travelers taking the Potsdam route or the ordinary trains via Stendal must […]

  Page 11 [In German] Says it is page -19 - French-Beligan-Russian Traffic No. 1,264 Bureau 26 Paris to Alexandrowo Over Verviers-Herbesthal-Aachen Berlin Third Class Valid […]

Page 13 Says it is page -21-   [Russian] French-Belgian-Russian Traffic No. 1, 264 Bureau 26 From Paris To Alexandrowo By Verviers, Herbesthal-Aix-la-Chapelle-Berlin 3rd Class Valid for […]

Page 15 Says it is page -1 -   [The handwriting appears to be Polya's, and it is an indication of her birthday. It is erroneously written […]

Page 19 Says it is page -5- These are the rules and regulations from the previous pages in German. Page 20 Says it is page -6- […]

Page 23 Says it is page -9- These are the rules and regulations from the previous pages in Russian. Page 24 Says it is page -10- […]

Page 28 Paris. – Chaix Printing Works -- 26723-9-12. Page 29 Blank Page 30 Blank Page 31 Blank. [Some arithmetic from Polya.] Page 32 [Some writing, […]

Page 33 Similar to Page 1, only in German. Page 34 Similar to Page 1, only in Russian.