Furs by Bernhard Hammerman, Sydney

Bernhard Hammerman (1913-1983) was a furrier, arts patron, and cultural figure in Sydney. He was born on April 6, 1913, in Berlin, Germany, Hammerman grew up in a Jewish family. He initially worked as an apprentice furrier before pursuing his passion for the arts and film-making.

In 1933, due to the rise of Nazi power and discrimination against Jews, Hammerman left Germany and settled in London. He later arrived in Sydney in 1937 and worked as a furrier for David Jones Ltd. before establishing his own fur business, Bernhard Hammerman Pty Ltd, in 1939. His company expanded to have nine retail outlets across Australia, and he became the president of the Fur Traders' Association of New South Wales.

Beyond his business pursuits, Hammerman was deeply involved in the cultural scene of Sydney. He engaged with artists, intellectuals, writers, and painters, participating in amateur theatre and contributing to the more... Australian Jewish community's magazine, The Bridge. Hammerman was also a co-founder of the All Nations Club, an organization aimed at bridging the gap between old and new Australians and fostering cultural connections.

Hammerman's commitment to the arts and his contributions to Sydney's cultural life were recognized when he was appointed as an inaugural governor of the John Power Foundation for Fine Arts in 1972. He received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1982.

Bernhard Hammerman passed away on April 21, 1983, in The Hague, Netherlands, while attending the Frankfurt Fur Fair less...