Erich Reiss was the head of one of the most significant publishing houses in the Weimar Republic. But as a Jew, he suffered the fate of many exiles: expelled and forgotten.Now a biography commemorates the publisher and his friendship with Gottfried Benn.
Erich Reiss, who does this name mean? But his publishing house, the Erich-Reiss-Verlag in Berlin, had on its program a hundred years ago authors who are still talked about today: Egon Erwin Kisch wrote “The Racing Reporter” (1925), the poet Klabund was the publisher resident author, he published 25 works hear before dying of tuberculosis in Davos in 1928, aged just 38. and Gottfried Benn was discovered and supported by Erich Reiss, and later even became a friend.
Erich Reiss, born in 1887, founded his publishing house at the end of 1908. At 21, barely of age, he succeeded with his father’s inheritance; The parents are Pomeranian artificial flower manufacturers, have become wealthy and live in Berlin-Tiergarten. Then, in the late phase of the Empire, several publishing houses arose that set the tone for the Weimar Republic: Rowohlt, Kiepenheuer, Kurt Wolff, Paul Cassirer. Erich Reiss is also a major playwrights’ editor; the legendary magazine “Die Schaubühne” which later became “Weltbühne” was published here for several years.
When the National Socialists came to power in 1933, this prosperous era suddenly ended.Being Jewish, Erich Reiss could only publish Jewish authors and at the end of the 1920s he had the misfortune of risking bankruptcy due to an attorney of dubious origin; In 1938, after Kristallnacht, Reiss was arrested and persecuted for six weeks in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
He then decides, under further harassment (“Reich Flight Tax”), to emigrate via Sweden to New York, where his brother already lives. Gottfried Benn greets Reiss at Tempelhof airport. of all people, benn, who initially enthusiastically welcomed the Nazi regime and, like many people of lower-middle origins, was not free from anti-Semitism, paid homage to his Jewish friend.
Biographer Peter Kröger, who has now published a book – the first ever – on the life of Erich Reiss, speaks of a “gesture of solidarity”. It also contains correspondence with Gottfried benn, from which a true friendship between the writer/doctor and the publisher has testified. Correspondence between the two began in 1946 and lasted until Reiss’s death in 1951. They called each other but used first names. Benn even lets Reiss greet him as “Dear Bennito”; his stocky appearance bore a distant resemblance to Benito Mussolini.
In 1994, Reiss’s 14 letters to Benn were published (by the small publisher Ulrich Keicher), without any response from Benn. But they reveal something very engaging, not only about the confidential relationship between publisher and doctor (including a consultation on impotence), but also about Benn’s depressive mood in the bombed German capital, especially during the Berlin Blockade in 1948/49.
Reiss and Benn: a friendship
The correspondence delivers,thanks to Benn’s questions like “What do you do in the evenings?” Cinema,theater,bridge,grappa?” – many concrete insights into the private life of the exile Reiss,who as 1940 had been married in the United states to the photographer Lotte Jacobi (who also emigrated from Germany),but was never a publisher again. The letters document economic concerns and the distance from the culture of the host country typical of many emigrants (“Theatre and cinema here are at a fairly low level”),while simultaneously occurring there is skepticism towards one’s homeland: “ Are there any new talented German authors? ” or “Apart from Benn,is there anything good and new?”
Reiss sometimes has specific requests for Benn: “Can you also send me the full issue of the paper so we can get an impression? Maybe a Sunday edition?” nostalgia shines through again and again in both their letters. Remembrance of what used to be: “My dear Reiss. The best days were those when I was at Bellealliancestr. 12 I lived, I drank my beer in the evenings and would occasionally take you for entertainment,” Benn writes.
in 1951 Reiss died of a stroke. His wife Lotte informs Benn: “Of all his friends, he alone loved you. I wish I could tell you about Erich.” In the same year Benn received the Georg Büchner Prize, the first ever. In his book “Double Life”, which appeared in 1955, Benn writes of “the only person (…) whom I could perhaps call a friend” – and he refers to Reiss. Regrettably, a commemorative book planned by Lotte Reiss to commemorate her husband and publisher was never realized. Journalist Peter Kröger offers it now, over 70 years later, in the form of this biography.
A living book full of empathy and,what’s more,an act of cultural memory. Kröger comes to Reiss from Benn, the publisher is still listed with gaps or errors in major personal encyclopedias on emigration, so this biography is also valuable for experts. Kröger will only miss the footnotes – and the reference to the fact that Erich Reiss even courted Kafka in the spring of 1918 is mentioned, for example, by Reiner Stach;
Peter WH Kröger: Erich Reiss. A Jewish publisher in Berlin and his correspondence with Gottfried Benn from 1946 to 1951.Nicolai, 224 pages, 44 euros
What was the impact of the Nazi regime on the publishing industry during the weimar Republic?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Publishing Historian Dr. Jessica Meyer
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news, Dr. Meyer! Today, we’re diving into the remarkable life of Erich Reiss, an influential figure in the Weimar Republic’s publishing scene. Could you start by shedding light on Reiss’s early beginnings and how he came to establish the Erich-Reiss-Verlag?
Dr. Jessica Meyer (DJM): Thank you for having me! Erich Reiss was born in 1887 into a family of artificial flower manufacturers in Pomerania. After inheriting his father’s fortune, he launched his publishing house in 1908 at the young age of 21. This was a time when several notable publishing houses were emerging in Berlin, and Reiss quickly made his mark as a publisher of notable playwrights and avant-garde writers. He was instrumental in bringing the literary talents of the time to a wider audience.
TNE: That’s fascinating! The Erich-Reiss-Verlag was home to many celebrated authors. Can you tell us about some of the prominent figures who were published under his banner?
DJM: Absolutely! Reiss focused on a range of writers who had a lasting impact on literature. one standout was egon Erwin Kisch, known for his innovative journalism. Reiss published works that are still discussed today, like “the Racing Reporter.” He also nurtured the poet Klabund, who, despite dying young, published 25 works through Reiss. Another pivotal figure was Gottfried Benn, who Reiss supported and mentored, highlighting his commitment to fostering literary talent.
TNE: However,the political landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of the National Socialists. How did this affect Reiss and his publishing house?
DJM: The advent of the Nazi regime marked a devastating turning point for Reiss. As a Jewish publisher, he found himself increasingly restricted in what he could publish. By the late 1920s, he was confined to only publishing Jewish authors. His financial troubles compounded, and after the brutal events of Kristallnacht in 1938, he was arrested and imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp.It’s heartbreaking to see how quickly his previous success turned into a fight for survival.
TNE: His decision to emigrate to the United States is an engaging aspect of his story. What compelled him to leave Germany, and how did his friendship with Gottfried Benn play a role?
DJM: Facing intensified persecution and the “Reich flight Tax,” Reiss recognized that remaining in Germany was untenable. He ultimately emigrated to the United States via Sweden. Ironically, it was Gottfried Benn—who initially supported the Nazi regime—who welcomed Reiss upon his arrival at Tempelhof airport. This friendship highlights the complexities of personal relationships during turbulent political times. Benn’s later acknowledgment of Reiss certainly speaks to the reclaiming of their bond in the face of overwhelming adversity.
TNE: As we commemorate Reiss’s contributions through biographies, what do you see as the lasting importance of his work in the context of the Weimar Republic and beyond?
DJM: Reiss’s work encapsulates the vibrant, albeit tumultuous, spirit of the Weimar Republic. His commitment to publishing challenging and innovative literary works laid the groundwork for future generations. The enduring relevance of authors he championed speaks to the importance of literary freedom and cultural exchange, values that resonate strongly today in times of political and social upheaval. His life reminds us of the critical role that publishers play in shaping culture and providing a platform for diverse voices.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Meyer, for sharing your insights on Erich Reiss’s incredible journey and his contributions to literature. It serves as a poignant reminder of both the fragility and resilience of cultural heritage.
DJM: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing such an crucial figure in literary history.