Forty-seven years after his death, the estate of comedian Heinz Erhardt is moving, containing items such as letters addressed to his wife, photographs, and his typewriter. According to “Spiegel”, these objects will be presented as a long-term loan to the House of History in Bonn.
Until now, the collection was stored in a basement in Hamburg, where Erhardt’s daughter still resides. The transfer was made possible after his heirs successfully settled a years-long dispute.
The heart of the collection consists of 19 diaries, which Erhardt filled throughout the 1940s. Most of the notes revolve around his professional life. He often expressed frustration that journalists frequently misspelled his name, asking, “Why is my name so often written or printed incorrectly? People try hard with foreign and complicated names-but not with a simple German one! (June 10, 1970).” Regarding the announcement of a film with him, provisionally titled “Uncle Heinz, the Nerve-wracker,” he commented flatly: “The title is shit!”
Erhardt was described as a workaholic by his granddaughter, Nicola Tyzskiewicz. She told “Spiegel” that he suffered from a desperate fear of being forgotten after his death, driving him to work relentlessly without regard for his health. She now considers it her responsibility to carry on this legacy.
Manfred Wichmann, the Collections Director at the House of History, noted that they typically do not accept private estates. However, he stated that Erhardt is among the few humorists who offers a comprehensive view of German history across a broad period. Wichmann explained that the humor in Erhardt’s films stemmed from a precise observation of the societal norms of the time. Furthermore, Erhardt helps audiences understand that era while remaining genuinely funny.
In Bonn, the objects will undergo processes of reading, measurement, photography, digitization, and cataloging in the coming months. They are slated to be shown to the public in 2029, which would mark fifty years since Erhardt’s death, and his 120th birthday.
