File contains certificates of completion for Hanne’s studies in elementary school, secondary school, and college. As a post-secondary student at the Graphic Teaching and Research Institute’s School of Photography and Reproduction in Vienna, she studied such subjects as freehand drawing, geometric drawing, natural philosophy, and commercial arithmetic and business essays, in addition to portrait photography. This file also contains a handwritten document from the Rontgen Institute describing her time there working as a nurse, her training, and the reason she stopped working there. Additionally, this file contains two photographs depicting Hanne during her time at the Rontgen Institute.

Porcelain coin (2 marks) from Saxony. Coin is an example of the German Notgeld.

Porcelain coin (50 pfennig) from Saxony. Coin is an example of the German Notgeld.

File consists of a single flip book, which captures Hanne demonstrating a set of two or three stretches. A crest on the front cover and outer case reads "Pocket-Kino Favorit".

File consists of a single typed and bound copy of “Die theoretischen Grundlagen und die praktische Handhabung meiner Methode” (“The Theoretical Foundation and the Practical Application of My Method.” By Hanne Wassermann) Text is contained in a hardcover dossier.

File consists of photographs depicting Hanne’s summertime travels in France with her boyfriend. The images capture scenes from Gorge de Loup (in Lyon) and L’Ile-Rousse (off the Island of Corsica) including architecture, landscapes, people, and more.

Item is a silver retractable powder brush with "Registered patent appl. for The Poudrella" engraved on the brush's metal exterior.

Item is a metal (possible brass) retractable make-up appliqué and cover, with "Made in U.S.A." carved on the body of the appliqué.

This file consists of photographs taken during the first 10-15 years of Trude Fleischmann’s career in Vienna. These photos depict Hanne Wassermann and other models demonstrating stretches and poses developed by Hanne as part of her original fitness method, including those exercises that involve the use of a handheld rubber ring. Hanne is most often the lone subject of these images (some of which were later reproduced to accompany articles and other publications by/about Hanne); however, there are some photographs in which Hanne is accompanied by at least one other model. Several photos depict four women engaged in ring exercises. Most of the images appear to have been taken in Trude’s studio, however there are some which were taken outside at unspecified locations (possibly Brioni, Italy).

Many of the photographs in this file are signed by Trude, and feature her studio’s imprint and/or logo. Larger photographs are mounted on card stock while some of the smaller items were printed on postcard paper. On the backs of some photographs are notes by Trude and Hanne written in pencil or pen (in some cases, many years after the pictures were originally printed). There are also several oversized items in this file including an advertisement for Hanne’s fitness program (featuring four Fleischmann photographs of Hanne) and four poster-size pages depicting the many stretches and positions Hanne taught as part of her health program, each page with over twenty small photographs affixed to it.

File consists of portraits taken by Trude Fleischmann at her studio in Vienna. Hanne is the primary subject of these portraits, however, there are also photographs of two unidentified men whose pictures appear in other subseries of this fonds. One of the men appeared to have been a boyfriend of Hanne.

File consists of 8 copies of “Tägliche Gymnastik” (Daily Gymnastics), which is co-written by gynecologist Dr. Oskar Frankl, describing the value of gymnastics and offering direction for proper exercise of targeted body parts. Some of these items include a foldout poster depicting 36 of Hanne’s poses.

File consists of newspaper and magazine articles by and/or about Hanne, covering a range of subjects including her physical fitness method; her gymnastics school and her fitness demonstrations (accompanied by photographs taken by Trude Fleischmann); and athletics (summer sports, winter sports, and sports-related dangers). She also wrote about the latest trends in beauty, athletic fashion, and physical culture, as well as exercise for women and weight loss. In some of her articles Hanne advocates for swimming lessons for both adults and children, and in another article she discusses the importance of physical activity for children in general. Some of the publications feature in this file include “Mode im Bild,” "Die Elegante Dame,” “Ingesport,” and “Heft.”

File consists of records pertaining to the life of Dr. Gustav Wassermann, including copies of his and Hanne’s marriage certificate, his death certificate, and other official government papers. Hanne appears to have obtained copies of this documentation related to her late husband in 1938.

File contains metal and rubber stamps used by Hanne for the textual materials she printed related to her work as a fitness instructor, writer, and innovator. There are stamps of photographs of Hanne demonstrating poses, stamps of her name and the heading from at least one pamphlet, and there are rubber stamps that would have had more administrative purposes — one of these has the name and address of her gymnastics school while the other simply says “Bezahlt” (Paid).

File consists of a small leather purse containing Italian currency (the lira) totaling L.207.10. This money comes in the form of coins and bills.

File consists of photographs and photographic negatives depicting Hanne as she demonstrates the various athletic stretches/poses and engaged in other physical activities like diving, swimming, and group fitness exercises.

File consists of original hand-painted colour mock-ups for possible book covers for “Methode Hanne Wassermann,” Hanne’s book about her special fitness method. No artist name is specified in association with these mock-ups.

Subseries consists of photographs and photographic negatives depicting Hanne as she demonstrates the various athletic stretches/poses she developed. There are also many photos of her engaged in other physical activities like diving, swimming, and group fitness exercises, as well as images of Hanne teaching swimming lessons, of her ring exercise demonstrations, and of exercises enacted with another model. The photographers responsible for taking most of these pictures are unknown, however some photos may have been taken by Trude Fleischmann. This subseries also includes photographs and corresponding to negatives taken by Edith Boeck from "Sport-Illustrationen" — these photographs are stamped on verso with Boeck's name, company, and address as well as a reproduction notification. Boeck's photographs capture Hanne stretching and posing on a rocky shoreline, as well as diving and swimming. Some the images in these series were taking in Brioni, Italy, however, most photo settings are not identified.

File consists of photographs depicting Hanne’s European travels in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in Austria, Italy, and Greece. Many of these photos reflect Hanne’s interest in hiking and the outdoors, capturing images of mountains, glaciers, lakes, rolling hills, forests, and shorelines. There are also pictures of villages and cities. Some of the places Hanne visited and photographed during this period include:

• Brioni, Italy (various dates between 1926 and 1937)
• Melk, Austria (1928)
• Durnstein, Austria (1928)
• Biarritz, France (Hotel du Palais) (1929)
• Schloss Schönbühel Castle (June 1932)
• Rome, Italy (1933)
• Capri, Italy (1933)
• Athens, Greece (1934)
• Rhodes, Greece (1934)
• Salzburg, Austria (1936)
• Zell am See, Austria (June 1937)
• Fasano, Italy (1937)
• Verona, Italy (1937)
• Montruglio, Italy (1938)

Photographs in this file also depict the architecture of the locations Hanne visited, as well as bridges, gates, and statues she encountered. There are also some pictures of Hanne’s friends. Present in the images throughout this file is a man who appears to have been Hanne’s boyfriend/lover; his name may have been Herbert, however, there are no obvious identifying details about him in Hanne’s collection. There are nude photographs of Hanne and this unnamed partner taken at a beach in what appears to be Brioni, Italy.

File consists of photographs taken or collected by Hanne before she left Europe for North America. Most of the photos depict her friends and family, capturing scenes of men playing polo (PH-2428 to 2433), a dinner gathering (PH-2434 to 2440), and people enjoying themselves at the beach or on sailboats (PH-2441 to 2522). There are also pictures of what appears to be Hanne's apartment in Vienna (PH-2421 to 2427, PH-3144 to 3145), and some photographs of family/friends that may date back to the late 19th century. This file contains a photograph of Hanne's boyfriend, printed on a postcard and containing a message on verso (PH-4161).

File consists of a leather pouch containing three keys (one of which is attached to the pouch and therefore both are counted as a single item) and four key tags. These key tags are circular plastic discs, each bearing different words: Hangekoffer Klein, Sofrankkoffer Innen, Schreibmaschine, and [illegible]. Only one of these tags has a key attached.

File consists of portraits of Hanne (and another woman, possibly her sister Elizabeth) taken by various European photographers, some known and others not identified.

File consists of manuscripts and draft articles pertaining to Hanne’s fitness methods and theories on health, wellness, and beauty. Some of these written works were published as articles in various European newspapers and magazines, while others appear to be unpublished.

Materials in this file:
• “Ringschwungübungen zu Zweit.” ((“Ring-Swinging Exercises for Two.”)
• “Ring als Ziel. Zu Zweit.” (“The Ring as a Target. Exercises for Two.”)
• “Ringübergabe, Ziel, allein.” (“Ring Transfer. Aim. For One.”)
• “Derr Ring als Gegenzugszentrum. Ringzugübungen im Kreis.” (“The Ring As the Centre of Resistance. Ring Pulling Exercises in a Circular Setting.”)
• “Rhytmuskontrolle. Kanonübungen. Zu viert.” (“Rhythm Control. Canon Exercises. For Groups of Four.”)
• “Vorführübungen zu Viert.” (“Demonstration Exercises in Groups of Four.”)
• “Achtung, Achtung! Wire bringenIhnem die aktuekksten Uebungen für den weißen sport.” (“Attention, Attention! The Newest Exercises for the White Sport.”)
• “Auszug. aus dem Material von Vorträgen, die durch Vorführung von Uebungen praktisch erläutrt wurden.” (“Excerpt. From the Lectures, Illustrated by Practical Demonstrations of Exercises.”)
• “Gegenzugübungen zu Zweit.” (“Push-and-Pull Exercises for Two.”)
• “Können Sie schwimmen?” (“Can You Swim?”)
• “Freiluftgymnastik.” (“Outdoor Gymnastics.”)
• “Macht Sport hässlich?” (“Does Sport Make Us Ugly?”)
• “Mode und Gymnastik.” (“Fashion and Gymnastics.”)
• “Pflege Deine Beine!” (“Take Care of Your Legs!”)
• “Der schöne Rücken.” (“The Beautiful Back.”)
• “Aussen Hui, Innen Pfui!” (“Nice Outside, but Ugly Inside!”)
• “Schön sein ist dad Ziel jeder Frau!” (“Being Beautiful is Every Woman’s Goal!”)
• “Altern – eine Schlamperei!” (“Aging – A Sloppy Ride!”)
• “Der schöne Gang.” (“The Beautiful Walk.”)
• “Berufsfrau an die Ehefrau.” (“From a Professional Woman to a Homemaker.”)
• “Gymnastik Der Hausfrau.” (“Housewife’s Gymnastics.”)
• “An die Mütter.” (“To the Mothers.”)

File consists of paperwork and official records related to Hanne’s emigration from Austria to the United States. These documents include papers from the police, a certificate of identity from the British immigration office, background check to get into Britain, proof of residency records, receipts of payment, records from the tax office in Vienna, lists of her belongings (including a long list of books she had stored in Vienna), a list of items (jewelry and papers) she stored at a British bank in London, and some papers and ephemera associated with her transatlantic voyage to the U.S. at the end of 1939.

Subseries consists of portraits of Hanne (and another woman, possibly her sister Elizabeth) taken by European photographers. At least five photographs of Hanne were taken by Grete Weissenstein (known professionally as Ingret) and at least two by Madame D’Ora, a famed Austrian fashion and portrait photographer. Those photographers responsible for the remaining pictures in this subseries are unknown.

File contains correspondence pertaining to Hanne’s health and fitness work in Europe, including letters from the Hotel Brioni (where she taught classes and gave lectures) and letters from several organizations in the UK where she provided lectures/demonstrations. These British groups were: the Municipal Training College in Brighton, the Medical Women’s Federation, and the Parents’ Association in London. There are also letters of recommendation, which describe Hanne's expertise in health and fitness, are from Dr. Loebel and Dr. Otto Frankfurter. (These letters may have been intended to aid Hanne with her immigration to the U.S.)

File consists of materials pertaining to Hanne's work in Austria and Italy as a physical fitness instructor and personal trainer. These materials include documentation related to the school she owned in Vienna (including lists of her belongings there at the time she left Austria, paperwork related to the approval to open a school in Vienna and another in Graz, and one of her school's last statements of account), as well as a list of her most famous clients. In one of the documents, Hanne provides her qualifications for running such a school and also attests to the qualifications for her assistant who would look after the school in her absence. Also included in the file are four pocket-sized planners/ledgers, two of which were used to record names, dates, and payments related to her clients in Brioni, Italy, in the summertime from 1926 to 1938.

File consists of manuscripts and drafts of the text “Methode Hanne Wassermann. Das erste psychologisch fundierte gymastische System mit Bewegungskontrolle.” (“The Hanne Wassermann Method. The First Psychologically-Based Gymnastic System with Movement Control.” ) There is also a copy of Gymnastik Methode Hanne Wassermann and an empty dossier titled “Hanna Wassermann’s Book.”

File contains correspondence from Hedwig Herrmann to her daughter, Hanne, sent between 1939 and 1940. Included in this file is a letter Hedwig wrote in 1939 when she thought she was not going to be able to get out of Vienna and live with Hanne abroad. Hedwig died in December 1940.

File consists of manuscripts and draft articles pertaining to Hanne’s fitness methods and theories on health, wellness, and beauty. Some of these written works were published as articles in various European newspapers and magazines, while others appear to be unpublished. Included in this file are transcripts from radio appearances as well as scripts and notes related to lectures given by Hanne after arriving in the United States in 1940. There are also handwritten notes related to the Hanne Wassermann Method.

Files include:
• “Radio Vortrag am 10.XIII.1929 in der Prager Urania. Liebe Hörerinnen, Frauen, Mädchen, alt, jung gross, klein, dick, dünn!” (Radio Lecture Dec. 10, 1929, in Prager Uraznia. Dear Listeners, Women, Girls, the Old, the Young, the Big, the Small, the Fat, the Thin!)
• “Bekenntnisse ein er Dicken ihren leidenden Mitschwestern gewidmet.” (Confession of a fat woman Dedicated to her Suffering Sisters.)
• “Tätige Abnahmediät.” (Active Decrease Diet.)
• “Tägliches Frühstück.” (Daily Breakfast.)
• Methode Hanne Wasserman
• “Lecture 1. On Movement: Psychological Parallels: Rules of Movement: Groups of Ring Exercises”
• “Everybody His Own Sculptor”
• “Everywoman The Sculptor of Her Own Body”
• “Hanne Wassermann-Walker Series”
• Writing notes in English and German, some handwritten and some typed

Files contains a range of textual materials used to promote or advertise Hanne’s gym/school, her services as an instructor and trainer (both in Vienna and Brioni), her fitness method, and services she offered during her first year in the United States (e.g. a lecture series in New York City).

File consists of recipes collected by Hedwigg Hermann and her daughter Hanne over an unknown number of years. Most of the recipes are handwritten, however, this file also contains printed recipes from other sources. It also contains a hardbound recipe book.

File consists of correspondence from Hedwig Herrmann to her daughter, Hanne, sent throughout 1940. Hedwig sent Hanne postcards almost daily between June and December 1940, all of which were written in German, except for a short note she includes on one card specifically for Hanne’s husband-to-be, George Walker. Hedwig died in December 1940.

File contains letters pertaining to Hanne’s immigration to the United States from Europe. These records include correspondence from a number of sources including, but not limited to: the American Consulate General in Italy regarding her application for a U.S. immigration visa; French Line transatlantic ship company; and the secret police in Austria informing Hanne that her belongings there had been confiscated and sold. There are letters of recommendation as well from American citizens, attesting to Hanne's character for immigration purposes. This file also includes torn copies of paperwork from the U.S. Department of State as well as a handwritten copy of Hanne’s U.S. “application for a certificate of arrival.”

File consists of correspondence to and from Marie Louise Wanamaker Munn. There are two letters from Munn and two undated telegrams written to Munn from Hanne regarding George Walker's arrest in Nevada. This incident occured in 1940.

File contains textual records pertaining to George’s immigration to the U.S. from Europe, including a U.S. customs information booklet and (later) completed copies of his U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service paperwork. Also included in the file are tickets, receipts, and other records from his transatlantic voyage from Genoa, Italy, to New York City (January 2-12, 1940).

File consists of personal records pertaining to the final years of Hedwig Herrmann’s life, from 1939 until 1941, several days after her death. The records are almost entirely related to her immigration to the U.S. in 1940 and include passports; certificates for consular purposes (a declaration of residence and a criminal record check — both stamped with Nazi insignia); lists of her belongings in Vienna; bills from a hotel in Venice where she stayed just before departing for New York, as well as tickets and receipts; sailing information; and more pertaining to her transatlantic voyage. This file contains lists of Hedwig's belongings, acknowledgement of receipt of her rations cards, letters to Hedwig from a friend of Hanne who was assisting Hedwig with her emigration from Italy, and copies of letters Hedwig sent to Anton Drexler regarding money owed related to immigration fund. Also included in this file are a small notebook and an undated homeopathic prescription; tucked inside the notebook is another prescription and a rough draft of a letter written in English. The last item in this file is a copy of Hedwig’s death certificate, which Hanne transcribed by hand.

File contains correspondence pertaining to Hanne’s health and fitness work in the United States. Most of these letters are from Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California, for which she provided a safety training course.

File consists of materials related to Hanne’s work as a personal trainer and fitness/health educator during the time she spent living in the United States from 1940-1943. These materials include two ledgers in which she documented appointments with clients, a day planner from 1940 which is filled with notes and calculations, photographs taken during her sling training program (photos which appear in her “Rescue & Transportation” manuals), and receipts and invoices related to this training program, as well as vouchers from the U.S. Navy.

File consists of 4 copies of “Tägliche Gymnastik” (Daily Gymnastics), which is co-written by gynecologist Dr. Oskar Frankl, describing the value of gymnastics and offering direction for proper exercise of targeted body parts. All of these items include a foldout poster depicting 36 of Hanne’s poses. This file also contains an additional foldout poster, 3 copies of “Movement and Figure Control” (a small pamphlet by Hanne written in English), and 3 copies of “Modern Rescue and Transportation: Removing Casualties Safely and Quickly Without Disturbing the Original Position.”

File consists of slips of metadata paper salvaged from envelopes that were severely damaged by vinegar syndrome. The negatives held by these envelopes were in such poor condition they had to be destroyed, however, these papers provide basic information about the lost photographs.

File consists of a small amount of textual records related to Trude’s friendship with Hanne. There is a magazine clipping featuring one of Trude’s photos of Hanne, materials related to a lecture series Hanne held at Trude’s New York studio, and a single letter written to Hanne on the back of a photograph. This file also includes two empty envelopes from Trude's Vienna studio.

Trude Fleischmann was a renowned portrait photographer in Vienna whose rise to prominence coincided with that of Hanne Wassermann. Both women had studied photography at the “Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Photographie und Reproduktionsverfahren,” their time at the school overlapping for at least one year. The two were friends, with Hanne posing as a model for Trude, including at least one nude photo in the early 1920s. When Hanne opened her 'gymnastics' school, it was Trude who photographed her for publicity materials such as posters and cards. Similarly, Trude photographed Hanne (sometimes accompanied by other models) demonstrating the various stretches and poses associated with the fitness method she had developed.

This subseries consists of photographs by Trude, the majority of which depict Hanne's fitness programs (e.g. stretching, holding poses, and ring exercises). There are also portraits taken of Hanne and photos of Hanne apparently modeling clothes. While Hanne is the primary subject of these images, there are also portraits of two unidentified men, one of whom was Hanne's boyfriend. There is also a small quantity of textual materials associated with Trude such as a newspaper clipping featuring one of her photos, materials related to Hanne's lectures at her New York studio, and a single piece of correspondence to Hanne.

File consists of correspondence from the Austrian-American actress Hedy Lamarr.

File contains other correspondence related to Hanne’s fitness career: a letter from the athletic program of the 1940 World Fair; a letter from Harvard Medical School regarding a client’s health; and a letter from a former client who mentions missing Hanne’s services.

File consists of portrait photography by Hanne. She photographed people of all ages, many of whom were members of the Koerner family (Beatrice Koerner, Iby Koerner, Sidney Koerner, Theo Koerner, N. Koerner, and Stephen Koerner). Other subjects include: Peter Sloan, Johnny Sloan, Gordon Sloan, Elizabeth Prentis, Marietta Prentis, Joan Bolton, Michael Bolton, M. Lourie, Suzanne Lourie, Gita Lourie, Marianne McCrae, Bob Maier, Anna L. Maier, Maria Bergson, Dennis Molnar, Joe Jetter, Otto Pick, Bill Robinson, and Sophie Atkinson. Additionally, there are various self-portraits by Hanne as well as pictures of her husband, George Walker. Also included in this file are two small, rectangular pieces of wood bound together with string. This unlabelled wooden binding contained a set of photos (PH-3412 to 3510), most of which were portraits.

File consists of portrait photography by Hanne. She photographed people of all ages, many of whom were members of the Koerner family (Beatrice Koerner, Iby Koerner, Sidney Koerner, Theo Koerner, N. Koerner, and Stephen Koerner). Other subjects include: Peter Sloan, Johnny Sloan, Gordon Sloan, Elizabeth Prentis, Marietta Prentis, Joan Bolton, Michael Bolton, M. Lourie, Suzanne Lourie, Gita Lourie, Marianne McCrae, Bob Maier, Anna L. Maier, Maria Bergson, Dennis Molnar, Joe Jetter, Otto Pick, Bill Robinson, and Sophie Atkinson. Additionally, there are various self-portraits by Hanne as well as pictures of her husband, George Walker. Also included in this file are two small, rectangular pieces of wood bound together with string. This unlabelled wooden binding contained a set of photos (PH-3412 to 3510), most of which were portraits.

File consists of correspondence sent to Hanne by her brother-in-law, Otto Fischer, regarding the long process of selling the Wassermann family property in Vienna — in which Hanne and her sister, Elizabeth, each inherited 50 per cent shares. This file includes a copy of one letter sent to Otto by Hanne with an attached deposition regarding her mother’s estate.

File contains records from Anton Drexler, property manager of the building owned by the Wassermann family in Vienna. Among these records is a document in which an unidentified party (presumably Hanne) gives power of attorney to Drexler for the purposes of managing the sale of the building. Other records are account statements for costs associated with building maintenance and upkeep.

File consists of miscellaneous household ephemera such as notepads (including one filled with lists and notes related to plants and gardening); gas mileage records (1951-1952); pocket books for recording phone number and addresses, including addresses from Vienna and several pages of North American addresses written on loose paper; bills and receipts for household services rendered (e.g. electricity bills), packages sent, purchases made. File also contains coupons, a copy of a Vancouver postal directory, a book of postcards from the Butchart Gardens, paperwork related to a car purchase, and more.