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Born into the overcrowded, hectic atmosphere of Frankfurt's Jewish ghetto, Nathan Mayer Rothschild crossed the Channel in 1798 aged 21 with barely any English. Initially he set up as a textile merchant in Manchester, then moved to London and turned to banking. Within a few years his boldness and acumen transformed the banking system and he entered the world stage as a leading bullion dealer. He became a confidant of monarchs and governments and knew the personalities at the centre of power. On his death he left a fortune with which his children built fine houses and collected works of art. |
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It was N M Rothschild and his brothers who, in a daring coup, organised the movement of supplies of gold through enemy territory to Wellington's armies on the Spanish front. His intelligence network was such that he heard news of the victory at Waterloo twenty four hours before the British Government. The coded messages the brothers exchanged daily are among the most fascinating objects on display. By writing in Judendeutsch - German written in Hebrew script - and incorporating code words, confidentiality was assured. They were sent by agent or pigeon post and the efficiency of the network put the Rothschild brothers way ahead of their rivals. Being secret, they are unique in containing many a scurrilous comment about well-known figures, unequalled in contemporary records. |  |
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In setting N M Rothschild's life against the background of his times, there are a wide variety of objects on display, including portraits and personal possessions, Jewish ritual objects, caricatures, business records and a pair of spectacular cloisonné elephants from a palace in Peking. Another outstanding item in the exhibition is the Memorbuch recording life in the Frankfurt Jewish community.
Two hundred years on, the bank N M Rothschild founded is still in the hands of his descendants. Working in international partnership, they too work for governments and private clients and are still, like him, leaders in the world of gold.
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