HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 396124465,
"image": {
"id": 1002,
"uuid": "74898da1-bdff-4cbb-8b9e-c3dd1c2a711a",
"name": "Papier en clichés Gies & Co.",
"title": "Papier en clichés Gies & Co.",
"alt": "Fotograaf: Allard Bovenberg. Collectie: Anne Frank Stichting.",
"url": "",
"path": "https://research.annefrank.org/media/Papier_en_stempels_Gies__Co.jpg",
"filetype": "image",
"description": "Papier en clichés Gies & Co. De locatie van het bedrijf, aan de voet van de Westertoren, zit verwerkt in het logo.",
"author": "De collectie kan worden ingezet voor publiek",
"copyright": "AFS rechthebbende"
},
"url": "https://research.annefrank.org/en/onderwerpen/b2254eb9-cc97-4f61-8c16-566f80f4eecf/",
"published": true,
"uuid": "b2254eb9-cc97-4f61-8c16-566f80f4eecf",
"name": "Gies & Co., N.V. Handelsvereeniging",
"name_nl": "Gies & Co., N.V. Handelsvereeniging",
"name_en": "Gies & Co., N.V. Handelsvereeniging",
"description": "<h1>La Synthèse</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>The Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. was set up because Pectacon, one of Otto Frank's companies, was in danger of being liquidated due to anti-Jewish measures. Initially, the company was called La Synthèse. This firm was founded on <strong>23 October 1940</strong> by Victor Kugler and Jan Gies. On <strong>4 November 1940</strong>, the new firm was registered in the trade register with Victor Kugler as owner and director and Jan Gies as supervisory director and shareholder.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> La Synthèse was located at Victor Kugler's private address in Hilversum. Kugler owned 15 shares worth 1,500 guilders in total; Jan Gies owned the rest of the shares worth 500 guilders.<sup data-footnote-id=\"caefw\"><a href=\"#footnote-2\" id=\"footnote-marker-2-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[2]</a></sup> Its representatives were Martin Brouwer and Pieter Daatzelaar.<sup data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-3\" id=\"footnote-marker-3-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[3]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Name change</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Like Pectacon, the company focused on trading and manufacturing chemicals and foodstuffs.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-2\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> On <strong>8 May 1941</strong>, Kugler and Gies changed the company name to N.V. Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. This was by order of the secretary-general of Justice.<sup data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\"><a href=\"#footnote-4\" id=\"footnote-marker-4-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[4]</a></sup> Otto Frank said about this in <strong>1963</strong> that the business<em> "had to drop its French-sounding name, as it was a company of German origin.''</em><sup data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\"><a href=\"#footnote-5\" id=\"footnote-marker-5-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[5]</a></sup> On <strong>19 August 1941</strong>, the Trade Register registered the new company name, and Jan Gies was registered as a supervisory director of Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\"><a href=\"#footnote-6\" id=\"footnote-marker-6-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[6]</a></sup> As supervisory director, Jan Gies had the authority to enter all the premises of the company. So it was also not uncommon for him to be present a lot and later speak to night watchman Slegers, for example, about the burglary in <strong>April 1944</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Flying start</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>From<strong> September 1941</strong>, at the suggestion of Johannes Kleiman, Pectacon went into liquidation. Stocks and machinery were sold at a loss to Gies & Co. All kinds of other costs were also still charged to Pectacon.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\"><a href=\"#footnote-7\" id=\"footnote-marker-7-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[7]</a></sup> That artifice prevented these goods, or their value, from benefiting German institutions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Gies & Co. moved to Prinsengracht 263 on <strong>29 October 1941</strong>, it took over the lease from Opekta. Opekta then became a subtenant of Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\"><a href=\"#footnote-8\" id=\"footnote-marker-8-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[8]</a></sup> It also received an advance of 5,000 guilders from Opekta.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-9\" id=\"footnote-marker-9-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[9]</a></sup> With Opekta's advance and the costs borne by Pectacon, Gies & Co. was able to get off to a flying start.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Crucial to the Secxret Annex</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Almost certainly Gies & Co. was the most important factor in financing the period of hiding in the Secret Annex. There are three clues to the importance of Gies & Co. in this context. First, Otto Frank explicitly mentioned that Kugler sold spices off the books to finance the needs in the Secret Annex.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\"><a href=\"#footnote-10\" id=\"footnote-marker-10-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[10]</a></sup> Second, Gies & Co. was completely 'Aryan', which made it easy to evade German scrutiny. Third, Van Pels and Otto Frank were furious when Kugler conducted laboratory tests instead of approving the supply by spice broker Westermann. All this underlines the fact that Gies & Co. was crucial to the period in hiding.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Share ownership</p>\r\n\r\n<p>During the war years, Otto Frank obviously had no formal ties with the company. A note in the Hofhuis archives lists share ownership, presumably dated late <strong>1943</strong> or early <strong>1944</strong>. On paper, Kleiman had shareholdings of 3,500 guilders, Gies 2,500 and Kugler 4,000. Kleiman and Otto Frank's investments in shares and deposit were so intermingled that it looks as if Otto's and Kleiman's money formed a single entity. Exactly who was entitled to what is not clear. What is clear, however, is that Otto invested in Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\"><a href=\"#footnote-11\" id=\"footnote-marker-11-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[11]</a></sup> Otto Frank gave up owning Gies & Co. shares with a nominal value of 5,800 guilders as of <strong>1 September 1945</strong>.<sup data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\"><a href=\"#footnote-12\" id=\"footnote-marker-12-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[12]</a></sup> In <strong>1948</strong>, he owned 58 per cent of the shares.<sup data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\"><a href=\"#footnote-13\" id=\"footnote-marker-13-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[13]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Substantial losses</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>In <strong>April 1950</strong>, Otto Frank and Pal Klein joined the N.V. as supervisory directors.<sup data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\"><a href=\"#footnote-14\" id=\"footnote-marker-14-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[14]</a></sup> In <strong>January 1954</strong>, Otto Frank owned 9,000 guilders worth of shares in Gies & Co (and 20,000 guilders worth of Opekta shares and 2,000 guilders worth of shares in Pectacon).<sup data-footnote-id=\"e58km\"><a href=\"#footnote-15\" id=\"footnote-marker-15-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[15]</a></sup> Indeed, Pectacon had not been liquidated in the end.</p>\r\n\r\n<div>The company suffered substantial losses in the <strong>first half of the 1950s</strong>. 5,200 guilders in <strong>1953 </strong>and over 14,000 guilders in <strong>1954</strong>.<sup data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\"><a href=\"#footnote-16\" id=\"footnote-marker-16-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[16]</a></sup> In <strong>March 1955</strong>, Kugler announced the liquidation of Gies & Co,<sup data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\"><a href=\"#footnote-17\" id=\"footnote-marker-17-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[17]</a></sup> but a few weeks later the danger had passed, because Verstegen's Sperijenhandel from Rotterdam declared its willingness to take over Gies & Co. under certain conditions.<sup data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\"><a href=\"#footnote-18\" id=\"footnote-marker-18-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[18]</a></sup> This they then did. Whether Jan Gies remained involved in the business until Verstegen took it over is not known. Kugler emigrated to Canada in <strong>June 1955</strong>.</div>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"footnotes\">\r\n<header>\r\n<h2>Footnotes</h2>\r\n</header>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\" id=\"footnote-1\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-1\">a</a>, <a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-2\">b</a> </sup><cite>Noord-Hollands Archief (NHA), Haarlem, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Dossier Gies & Co, akteletter a.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"caefw\" id=\"footnote-2\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-2-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, dossier 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\" id=\"footnote-3\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-3-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Anne Frank Stichting (AFS) , Getuigenarchief, Brouwer: Interview met kinderen van Brouwer, 15 mei 2011.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\" id=\"footnote-4\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-4-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Nederlandsche Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\" id=\"footnote-5\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-5-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Nationaal Archief, Den Haag (NL-HaNA), Centraal Archief Bijzondere Rechtspleging, inv. nr. 23892 (dossier van Maaren): P.v.b. Rijksrecherche No. 86/1963 v.H. inzake Silberbauer.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\" id=\"footnote-6\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-6-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co. akteletter c.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\" id=\"footnote-7\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-7-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD Nederlands Instituut voor Oorlogs-, Holocuats- en Genocidestudies, toegang 094f, Collectie dossiers afkomstig uit de archieven van de Omnia-Treuhandgesellschaft m.b.H., de Deutsche Revisions- und Treuhand A.G. (Zweigniederlassung Den Haag) en de Wirtschaftsprüfstelle, Inv.nr. 5951, Bestallungsurkunde.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\" id=\"footnote-8\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-8-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD, 292 Nederlandsche Opekta Maatschappij N.V., inv.nr. 19, bericht over het boekjaar 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\" id=\"footnote-9\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-9-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Anne Frank Collectie (AFC), reg. code AF_A-Opekta-Pectacon-I_0007_0007 &8: Balans 31 december 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\" id=\"footnote-10\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-10-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, Otto Frank Archief, reg. code OFA_082, 10 juni 1971, Yad Vashem: “Mr. Kugler sold spices without booking the sales to help to finance our needs.”</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\" id=\"footnote-11\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-11-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Hofhuisarchief, losse notities (Map 8, 006.1).</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\" id=\"footnote-12\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-12-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Nederlands Beheersinstituut, inv.nr. 77827, brief van 22 feburari 1946 met vermogensopstelling per 1 september 1945.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\" id=\"footnote-13\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-13-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Ministerie van Justitie / Verbaalarchief, 1915-1955; Kabinetsarchief, 1915-1940, nummer toegang 2.09.22, inv. nr. 13402, volgnr. 2234: Staat van inlichtingen bij naturalisatie.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\" id=\"footnote-14\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-14-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co., akteletter f.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"e58km\" id=\"footnote-15\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-15-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code 005_A_Kleiman_I_05 </cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\" id=\"footnote-16\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-16-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Mediabibliotheek: 5_A_Kleiman_I_56: brief 26-2-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank & 7_A_Kleiman_I_195: brief 31-10-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\" id=\"footnote-17\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-17-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_044: Victor Kugler aan J.C Frèrejean, 26 maart 1955.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\" id=\"footnote-18\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-18-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_045: Verstegen’s Specerijenhandel aan J.C. Frèrejean, 15 april 1955.</cite></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</section>\r\n\r\n<div> </div>",
"description_nl": "<h1>La Synthèse</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>De Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. werd opgezet omdat Pectacon, een van de bedrijven van Otto Frank, wegens ariseringsmaatregelen gevaar liep te worden geliquideerd. Aanvankelijk heette het bedrijf La Synthèse. Deze firma werd op <strong>23 oktober 1940</strong> opgericht door Victor Kugler en Jan Gies. Op <strong>4 november 1940</strong> werd de nieuwe firma ingeschreven in het handelsregister met Victor Kugler als eigenaar en directeur en Jan Gies als commissaris en aandeelhouder.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> La Synthèse was gevestigd op het privé-adres van Victor Kugler in Hilversum. Kugler bezat vijftien aandelen ter waarde van 1.500 gulden in totaal; Jan Gies bezat de rest van de aandelen ter waarde van 500 gulden.<sup data-footnote-id=\"caefw\"><a href=\"#footnote-2\" id=\"footnote-marker-2-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[2]</a></sup> Vertegenwoordigers waren Martin Brouwer en Pieter Daatzelaar.<sup data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-3\" id=\"footnote-marker-3-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[3]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Naamsverandering</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Evenals Pectacon legde het bedrijf zich toe op handel in en fabricage van chemicaliën en levensmiddelen.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-2\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> Op <strong>8 mei 1941 </strong>veranderden Kugler en Gies de bedrijfsnaam in N.V. Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. Dit op last van de secretaris-generaal van Justitie.<sup data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\"><a href=\"#footnote-4\" id=\"footnote-marker-4-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[4]</a></sup> Otto Frank zei hierover in <strong>1963</strong> dat de zaak "<em>haar Frans klinkende naam, wijl zij een onderneming was van Duitse afkomst, moest laten vallen."</em><sup data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\"><a href=\"#footnote-5\" id=\"footnote-marker-5-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[5]</a></sup> Aanwijzingen dat het ministerie bezwaar tegen Frans klinkende namen had zijn er verder niet. Wel bepaalde het vaker dat wijziging nodig was, bijvoorbeeld wanneer een bedrijfsnaam teveel op een andere leek. Op <strong>19 augustus 1941 </strong>registreerde het Handelsregister de nieuwe bedrijfsnaam, en werd Jan Gies ingeschreven als commissaris van Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\"><a href=\"#footnote-6\" id=\"footnote-marker-6-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[6]</a></sup> Als commissaris had Jan Gies de bevoegdheid alle lokaliteiten van de onderneming te betreden. Zodoende was het ook niet ongewoon dat hij veel aanwezig was en later bijvoorbeeld met nachtwaker Slegers over de inbraak van <strong>april 1944 </strong>sprak.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Vliegende start</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Vanaf<strong> september 1941 </strong>ging Pectacon, op voorstel van Johannes Kleiman, in liquidatie. De voorraden en machines werden met verlies aan Gies & Co. verkocht. Ook allerhande andere kosten kwamen nog ten laste van Pectacon.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\"><a href=\"#footnote-7\" id=\"footnote-marker-7-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[7]</a></sup> Die kunstgreep voorkwam dat deze goederen, of hun waarde, ten goede kwamen van Duitse instellingen.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Toen Gies & Co. op <strong>29 oktober 1941</strong> verhuisde naar de Prinsengracht 263, nam het het huurcontract over van Opekta. Opekta werd vervolgens onderhuurder van Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\"><a href=\"#footnote-8\" id=\"footnote-marker-8-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[8]</a></sup> Ook ontving het een voorschot van 5.000 gulden van Opekta.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-9\" id=\"footnote-marker-9-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[9]</a></sup> Met het voorschot van Opekta en de door Pectacon gedragen kosten kon Gies & Co. een vliegende start maken.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Cruciaal voor de onderduik</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Vrijwel zeker was Gies & Co. het belangrijkst voor de financiering van de onderduik in het Achterhuis. Voor het belang van Gies & Co. in dit verband zijn drie aanwijzingen. Als eerste benoemde Otto Frank expliciet dat Kugler specerijen verkocht buiten de boekhouding ter financiering van de noden in het Achterhuis.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\"><a href=\"#footnote-10\" id=\"footnote-marker-10-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[10]</a></sup> Ten tweede was Gies & Co. volledig ‘arisch’ waardoor het zich makkelijk aan Duits toezicht kon onttrekken. Ten derde, Van Pels en Otto Frank waren woedend toen Kugler laboratoriumproefjes deed in plaats van de leverantie voor specerijenmakelaar Westermann in orde te maken. Dit alles onderstreept dat Gies & Co. van cruciaal belang was voor de onderduik.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Aandelenbezit</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Tijdens de oorlogsjaren had Otto Frank uiteraard geen formele banden met het bedrijf. Een briefje in het Hofhuisarchief geeft een overzicht van het aandelenbezit, vermoedelijk gedateerd in eind <strong>1943</strong> of begin <strong>1944</strong>. Op papier bezat Kleiman 3.500, Gies 2.500 en Kugler 4.000 gulden. De investeringen in aandelen en deposito van Kleiman en Otto Frank liepen zo door elkaar heen, dat het erop lijkt alsof Otto's en Kleimans geld één geheel vormden. Wie welke aanspraak precies kon maken is niet helder. Wel is duidelijk dat Otto in Gies & Co. heeft geïnvesteerd.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\"><a href=\"#footnote-11\" id=\"footnote-marker-11-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[11]</a></sup> Otto Frank gaf op per <strong>1 september 1945</strong> aandelen Gies & Co. te bezitten met een nominale waarde van 5.800 gulden.<sup data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\"><a href=\"#footnote-12\" id=\"footnote-marker-12-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[12]</a></sup> In <strong>1948</strong> beschikte hij over 58 procent van de aandelen.<sup data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\"><a href=\"#footnote-13\" id=\"footnote-marker-13-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[13]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Forse verliezen</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>In <strong>april ’50</strong> traden Otto Frank en Pal Klein als commissarissen tot de N.V. toe.<sup data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\"><a href=\"#footnote-14\" id=\"footnote-marker-14-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[14]</a></sup> In<strong> januari 1954 </strong>bezat Otto Frank voor 9.000 gulden aandelen in Gies & Co. (en 20.000 gulden aandelen Opekta en 2.000 gulden aandelen in Pectacon).<sup data-footnote-id=\"e58km\"><a href=\"#footnote-15\" id=\"footnote-marker-15-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[15]</a></sup> Pectacon was uiteindelijk namelijk niet geliquideerd.</p>\r\n\r\n<div>Het bedrijf leed in de <strong>eerste helft van de jaren '50</strong> forse verliezen. Over <strong>1953 </strong>respectievelijk 5.200 gulden en ruim 14.000 gulden over <strong>1954</strong> .<sup data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\"><a href=\"#footnote-16\" id=\"footnote-marker-16-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[16]</a></sup> In <strong>maart ’55 </strong>kondigde Kugler liquidatie van Gies & Co. aan,<sup data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\"><a href=\"#footnote-17\" id=\"footnote-marker-17-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[17]</a></sup> maar een paar weken later was dit gevaar geweken, want Verstegen’s Specerijenhandel uit Rotterdam verklaarde zich onder voorwaarden bereid Gies & Co. over te nemen.<sup data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\"><a href=\"#footnote-18\" id=\"footnote-marker-18-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[18]</a></sup> En dat gebuerde ook. Of Jan Gies bij de zaak betrokken bleef tot de overname door Verstegen is niet bekend. Kugler emigreerde in <strong>juni 1955</strong> naar Canada.</div>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"footnotes\">\r\n<header>\r\n<h2>Footnotes</h2>\r\n</header>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\" id=\"footnote-1\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-1\">a</a>, <a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-2\">b</a> </sup><cite>Noord-Hollands Archief (NHA), Haarlem, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Dossier Gies & Co, akteletter a.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"caefw\" id=\"footnote-2\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-2-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, dossier 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\" id=\"footnote-3\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-3-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Anne Frank Stichting (AFS) , Getuigenarchief, Brouwer: Interview met kinderen van Brouwer, 15 mei 2011.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\" id=\"footnote-4\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-4-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Nederlandsche Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\" id=\"footnote-5\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-5-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Nationaal Archief, Den Haag (NL-HaNA), Centraal Archief Bijzondere Rechtspleging, inv. nr. 23892 (dossier van Maaren): P.v.b. Rijksrecherche No. 86/1963 v.H. inzake Silberbauer.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\" id=\"footnote-6\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-6-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co. akteletter c.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\" id=\"footnote-7\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-7-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD Nederlands Instituut voor Oorlogs-, Holocuats- en Genocidestudies, toegang 094f, Collectie dossiers afkomstig uit de archieven van de Omnia-Treuhandgesellschaft m.b.H., de Deutsche Revisions- und Treuhand A.G. (Zweigniederlassung Den Haag) en de Wirtschaftsprüfstelle, Inv.nr. 5951, Bestallungsurkunde.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\" id=\"footnote-8\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-8-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD, 292 Nederlandsche Opekta Maatschappij N.V., inv.nr. 19, bericht over het boekjaar 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\" id=\"footnote-9\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-9-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Anne Frank Collectie (AFC), reg. code AF_A-Opekta-Pectacon-I_0007_0007 &8: Balans 31 december 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\" id=\"footnote-10\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-10-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, Otto Frank Archief, reg. code OFA_082, 10 juni 1971, Yad Vashem: “Mr. Kugler sold spices without booking the sales to help to finance our needs.”</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\" id=\"footnote-11\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-11-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Hofhuisarchief, losse notities (Map 8, 006.1).</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\" id=\"footnote-12\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-12-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Nederlands Beheersinstituut, inv.nr. 77827, brief van 22 feburari 1946 met vermogensopstelling per 1 september 1945.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\" id=\"footnote-13\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-13-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Ministerie van Justitie / Verbaalarchief, 1915-1955; Kabinetsarchief, 1915-1940, nummer toegang 2.09.22, inv. nr. 13402, volgnr. 2234: Staat van inlichtingen bij naturalisatie.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\" id=\"footnote-14\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-14-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co., akteletter f.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"e58km\" id=\"footnote-15\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-15-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code 005_A_Kleiman_I_05 </cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\" id=\"footnote-16\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-16-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Mediabibliotheek: 5_A_Kleiman_I_56: brief 26-2-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank & 7_A_Kleiman_I_195: brief 31-10-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\" id=\"footnote-17\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-17-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_044: Victor Kugler aan J.C Frèrejean, 26 maart 1955.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\" id=\"footnote-18\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-18-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_045: Verstegen’s Specerijenhandel aan J.C. Frèrejean, 15 april 1955.</cite></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</section>\r\n\r\n<div> </div>",
"description_en": "<h1>La Synthèse</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>The Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. was set up because Pectacon, one of Otto Frank's companies, was in danger of being liquidated due to anti-Jewish measures. Initially, the company was called La Synthèse. This firm was founded on <strong>23 October 1940</strong> by Victor Kugler and Jan Gies. On <strong>4 November 1940</strong>, the new firm was registered in the trade register with Victor Kugler as owner and director and Jan Gies as supervisory director and shareholder.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> La Synthèse was located at Victor Kugler's private address in Hilversum. Kugler owned 15 shares worth 1,500 guilders in total; Jan Gies owned the rest of the shares worth 500 guilders.<sup data-footnote-id=\"caefw\"><a href=\"#footnote-2\" id=\"footnote-marker-2-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[2]</a></sup> Its representatives were Martin Brouwer and Pieter Daatzelaar.<sup data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-3\" id=\"footnote-marker-3-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[3]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Name change</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Like Pectacon, the company focused on trading and manufacturing chemicals and foodstuffs.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\"><a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-marker-1-2\" rel=\"footnote\">[1]</a></sup> On <strong>8 May 1941</strong>, Kugler and Gies changed the company name to N.V. Handelsvereeniging Gies & Co. This was by order of the secretary-general of Justice.<sup data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\"><a href=\"#footnote-4\" id=\"footnote-marker-4-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[4]</a></sup> Otto Frank said about this in <strong>1963</strong> that the business<em> "had to drop its French-sounding name, as it was a company of German origin.''</em><sup data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\"><a href=\"#footnote-5\" id=\"footnote-marker-5-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[5]</a></sup> On <strong>19 August 1941</strong>, the Trade Register registered the new company name, and Jan Gies was registered as a supervisory director of Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\"><a href=\"#footnote-6\" id=\"footnote-marker-6-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[6]</a></sup> As supervisory director, Jan Gies had the authority to enter all the premises of the company. So it was also not uncommon for him to be present a lot and later speak to night watchman Slegers, for example, about the burglary in <strong>April 1944</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Flying start</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>From<strong> September 1941</strong>, at the suggestion of Johannes Kleiman, Pectacon went into liquidation. Stocks and machinery were sold at a loss to Gies & Co. All kinds of other costs were also still charged to Pectacon.<sup data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\"><a href=\"#footnote-7\" id=\"footnote-marker-7-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[7]</a></sup> That artifice prevented these goods, or their value, from benefiting German institutions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>When Gies & Co. moved to Prinsengracht 263 on <strong>29 October 1941</strong>, it took over the lease from Opekta. Opekta then became a subtenant of Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\"><a href=\"#footnote-8\" id=\"footnote-marker-8-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[8]</a></sup> It also received an advance of 5,000 guilders from Opekta.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\"><a href=\"#footnote-9\" id=\"footnote-marker-9-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[9]</a></sup> With Opekta's advance and the costs borne by Pectacon, Gies & Co. was able to get off to a flying start.</p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Crucial to the Secxret Annex</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>Almost certainly Gies & Co. was the most important factor in financing the period of hiding in the Secret Annex. There are three clues to the importance of Gies & Co. in this context. First, Otto Frank explicitly mentioned that Kugler sold spices off the books to finance the needs in the Secret Annex.<sup data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\"><a href=\"#footnote-10\" id=\"footnote-marker-10-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[10]</a></sup> Second, Gies & Co. was completely 'Aryan', which made it easy to evade German scrutiny. Third, Van Pels and Otto Frank were furious when Kugler conducted laboratory tests instead of approving the supply by spice broker Westermann. All this underlines the fact that Gies & Co. was crucial to the period in hiding.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Share ownership</p>\r\n\r\n<p>During the war years, Otto Frank obviously had no formal ties with the company. A note in the Hofhuis archives lists share ownership, presumably dated late <strong>1943</strong> or early <strong>1944</strong>. On paper, Kleiman had shareholdings of 3,500 guilders, Gies 2,500 and Kugler 4,000. Kleiman and Otto Frank's investments in shares and deposit were so intermingled that it looks as if Otto's and Kleiman's money formed a single entity. Exactly who was entitled to what is not clear. What is clear, however, is that Otto invested in Gies & Co.<sup data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\"><a href=\"#footnote-11\" id=\"footnote-marker-11-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[11]</a></sup> Otto Frank gave up owning Gies & Co. shares with a nominal value of 5,800 guilders as of <strong>1 September 1945</strong>.<sup data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\"><a href=\"#footnote-12\" id=\"footnote-marker-12-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[12]</a></sup> In <strong>1948</strong>, he owned 58 per cent of the shares.<sup data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\"><a href=\"#footnote-13\" id=\"footnote-marker-13-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[13]</a></sup></p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Substantial losses</h1>\r\n\r\n<p>In <strong>April 1950</strong>, Otto Frank and Pal Klein joined the N.V. as supervisory directors.<sup data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\"><a href=\"#footnote-14\" id=\"footnote-marker-14-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[14]</a></sup> In <strong>January 1954</strong>, Otto Frank owned 9,000 guilders worth of shares in Gies & Co (and 20,000 guilders worth of Opekta shares and 2,000 guilders worth of shares in Pectacon).<sup data-footnote-id=\"e58km\"><a href=\"#footnote-15\" id=\"footnote-marker-15-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[15]</a></sup> Indeed, Pectacon had not been liquidated in the end.</p>\r\n\r\n<div>The company suffered substantial losses in the <strong>first half of the 1950s</strong>. 5,200 guilders in <strong>1953 </strong>and over 14,000 guilders in <strong>1954</strong>.<sup data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\"><a href=\"#footnote-16\" id=\"footnote-marker-16-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[16]</a></sup> In <strong>March 1955</strong>, Kugler announced the liquidation of Gies & Co,<sup data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\"><a href=\"#footnote-17\" id=\"footnote-marker-17-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[17]</a></sup> but a few weeks later the danger had passed, because Verstegen's Sperijenhandel from Rotterdam declared its willingness to take over Gies & Co. under certain conditions.<sup data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\"><a href=\"#footnote-18\" id=\"footnote-marker-18-1\" rel=\"footnote\">[18]</a></sup> This they then did. Whether Jan Gies remained involved in the business until Verstegen took it over is not known. Kugler emigrated to Canada in <strong>June 1955</strong>.</div>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"footnotes\">\r\n<header>\r\n<h2>Footnotes</h2>\r\n</header>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7ong8\" id=\"footnote-1\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-1\">a</a>, <a href=\"#footnote-marker-1-2\">b</a> </sup><cite>Noord-Hollands Archief (NHA), Haarlem, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Dossier Gies & Co, akteletter a.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"caefw\" id=\"footnote-2\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-2-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, dossier 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"m1k9q\" id=\"footnote-3\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-3-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Anne Frank Stichting (AFS) , Getuigenarchief, Brouwer: Interview met kinderen van Brouwer, 15 mei 2011.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"6zjj6\" id=\"footnote-4\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-4-1\">^</a> </sup><cite><em>Nederlandsche Staatscourant</em>, 13 augustus 1941; NHA, Handelsregister Hilversum, inv. nr. 199, volgnr. 8859: Akteletter d.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"rvhhi\" id=\"footnote-5\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-5-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Nationaal Archief, Den Haag (NL-HaNA), Centraal Archief Bijzondere Rechtspleging, inv. nr. 23892 (dossier van Maaren): P.v.b. Rijksrecherche No. 86/1963 v.H. inzake Silberbauer.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ctrzh\" id=\"footnote-6\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-6-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co. akteletter c.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"7v6kp\" id=\"footnote-7\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-7-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD Nederlands Instituut voor Oorlogs-, Holocuats- en Genocidestudies, toegang 094f, Collectie dossiers afkomstig uit de archieven van de Omnia-Treuhandgesellschaft m.b.H., de Deutsche Revisions- und Treuhand A.G. (Zweigniederlassung Den Haag) en de Wirtschaftsprüfstelle, Inv.nr. 5951, Bestallungsurkunde.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"sqgnk\" id=\"footnote-8\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-8-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NIOD, 292 Nederlandsche Opekta Maatschappij N.V., inv.nr. 19, bericht over het boekjaar 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2zk9q\" id=\"footnote-9\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-9-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Anne Frank Collectie (AFC), reg. code AF_A-Opekta-Pectacon-I_0007_0007 &8: Balans 31 december 1941.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"ugna5\" id=\"footnote-10\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-10-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, Otto Frank Archief, reg. code OFA_082, 10 juni 1971, Yad Vashem: “Mr. Kugler sold spices without booking the sales to help to finance our needs.”</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"2ktk3\" id=\"footnote-11\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-11-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, Hofhuisarchief, losse notities (Map 8, 006.1).</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"zu9vs\" id=\"footnote-12\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-12-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Nederlands Beheersinstituut, inv.nr. 77827, brief van 22 feburari 1946 met vermogensopstelling per 1 september 1945.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"9u26v\" id=\"footnote-13\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-13-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NL-HaNA, Ministerie van Justitie / Verbaalarchief, 1915-1955; Kabinetsarchief, 1915-1940, nummer toegang 2.09.22, inv. nr. 13402, volgnr. 2234: Staat van inlichtingen bij naturalisatie.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4e1ez\" id=\"footnote-14\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-14-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>NHA, Dossier Gies & Co., akteletter f.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"e58km\" id=\"footnote-15\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-15-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code 005_A_Kleiman_I_05 </cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"4u8e0\" id=\"footnote-16\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-16-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>Mediabibliotheek: 5_A_Kleiman_I_56: brief 26-2-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank & 7_A_Kleiman_I_195: brief 31-10-1954: Johannes Kleiman aan Otto Frank.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"fmgn8\" id=\"footnote-17\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-17-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_044: Victor Kugler aan J.C Frèrejean, 26 maart 1955.</cite></li>\r\n\t<li data-footnote-id=\"xmyg0\" id=\"footnote-18\"><sup><a href=\"#footnote-marker-18-1\">^</a> </sup><cite>AFS, AFC, reg. code A_Opekta_I_045: Verstegen’s Specerijenhandel aan J.C. Frèrejean, 15 april 1955.</cite></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</section>\r\n\r\n<div> </div>",
"summary": "Gies & Co. was a new company which, not being a Jewish company, replaced Otto Frank's company Pectacon due to anti-Jewish measures.",
"summary_nl": "Gies & Co. was een nieuwe onderneming die, omdat het geen Joods bedrijf was, Otto Frank's bedrijf Pectacon verving in verband met anti-Joodse maatregelen.",
"summary_en": "Gies & Co. was a new company which, not being a Jewish company, replaced Otto Frank's company Pectacon due to anti-Jewish measures.",
"same_as": null,
"parent": 396124419,
"files": []
}
