I knew a little about the history of the Alcoso firm, but i had no idea Dr Alexander Coppel was such a wonderful man. I would like to share here a rough translation of a German site, done with help of web language tools. I have a new appreciation for my Alcoso daggers and sword, as im sure you will.


Dr. Alexander Coppel

Dr Alexander Coppel (1865 - 1942), son of Fanny and Gustav Coppel Alexander Otto Coppel was born on 18 September 1865 in Solingen . After completing hight school he attends a Gymnasium in Elberfeld and takes there the maturity examination. He continues his studies with a study of the jurisprudence, which he completes in 1890 successfully with the legal state examination, in order to return afterwards to its hometown. In 1896 the now Juris Doctor joins his father’s company, which enjoys world-wide reputation with the production of different steel goods. In various ways he follows his father; so also in local government politics: in 1914 he becomes the city delegate from Solingen. Soon, however, he turns to the national liberalism and joins the again created left liberal German Democratic…. … When in 1924 the civil parties unites into the so-called citizen block, Coppel is considered as a leading candidate… The citizen block actually achieves the absolute majority in the city council, which secures Coppels activity in the local government policy for several years. In the beginning of the 40's he occupies the post of the deputy chairman of the synagogue in the municipality. At the same time he is active in numerous commissions, charitable associations and donations; with a special commitment above all for social mechanisms as for example the Coppelstift….for needy people, which profited over long years from generous donations on the part of the Coppel family.

Despite increased Jewish emigration by the threatening national socialism the brothers continued steadfastly their work. In 1936 finally they were expelled from the firm staff and the company had to be handed over into strange hands. In 1937 Carl Gustav and Alexander Coppel create a society for the support of the coworkers of the company. The Coppels worked untiringly for their fellow men in the employment. At the so-called Kristallnacht in November 1938 the Coppels home is devastated, and like many Jewish citizens he is arrested at short notice. In the same year he accepts the name Gideon (Israel) instead of its first names Alexander Otto, in order to lend to its conviction expression. …. Powerlessly he must watch like the synagogue municipality is dissolved and Jews are more and more deported from Solingen . His attempts to help, remain useless. Two years later he is deported to Theresienstadt. In a last letter to its relatives in Switzerland he stresses again his love for the hometown, which he calls place of the luck and Heiligtum. On 5 August 1942 Dr. Alexander Coppel completely weakened, dies in Theresienstadt. Coppel remained a faithful Solinger up to the end, and his life's work remains only a thanks stone at the family grave, which is to energize visitors of the cemetery for thinking. (from: http://www.exil-club.de/html/30_projekte/31_projekte_00...ppel/coppel003.html)



Plaque at Jewish Cementery in Solingen, with Coppel's name


Terezin, Czech Republic (Theresienstadt concentration camp)

See also:
http://www2.solingen.de/kommunen/solingen/www-solingen....04afbfe?OpenDocument

Fascinating and interesting post. Thanks Gustavo.

Gustavo,Many thanks for doing the translation and for posting this. I,too,will treasure my Alcoso daggers more.Thanks,Hugh.

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