My Germany Third Reich Postal History & Stamps Collection

dptashny · Post by **dptashny** » 25 Sep 2014 04:40

Don't forgot Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, and Moscow!

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 25 Sep 2014 06:26

Bill Medland wrote:10th January 1937. Stamp Day

A 'Stamp Day' postcard from Leipzig:

A cover from the Colonial Stamp Show at Berlin-Pankow, remembering Germany's lost colonies from the Great War:

Dave.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 25 Sep 2014 07:11

Bill Medland wrote:5th April 1937. Hitler Miniature Sheet

Perforated minisheet with Hitler's Birthday special cancellation from Berlin.

Single use on a postcard with the special cancellation from Berchtesgaden, Hitler's mountain retreat.

Single use, one year later, with special cancellation, from Vienna, of the Austrian plebiscite on the 10th April 1938 when Austria voted to join with Germany. (Note it's a British postcard.)

Dave.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 25 Sep 2014 07:33

Bill Medland wrote:16th April 1937. Hitler Miniature Sheet (imperforate)

Imperf minisheet, with special cancellation for the Berlin National Stamp Exhibition, 16-18 April 1937.

Single use, a year later, and special cancellation for Hitler's Birthday, 1938.

Dave.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 09:14

16th-18th April 1937. "The German Stamp" Philatelic Exhibition

Four postcards from the exhibition, all of the "stamps" are imprints on the postcards.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 09:20

22nd-23rd May 1937. Philatelic Exhibition in Kassel

Four postcards from the exhibition, all of the "stamps" are imprints on the postcards.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 20:49

May-October 1937. "Creative People" Exhibition in Düsseldorf

A huge exhibition in Düsseldorf that ran for six months.

The exhibition cancellation

Two of the many existing official postcards

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 20:54

May 1937. Decorative Telegram

Released in May 1937, this one used in 1938 for Newlyweds

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 21:05

6th June 1937. DAPOSTA Danzig Philatelic Exhibition

DAPOSTA = DANZIG POSTWERTZEICHEN AUSTELLUNG

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 21:17

10th June 1937. Hitler Miniature Sheet (this time with 25Rpf Surcharge)

Same miniature sheet as before, but this time with a 25Rpf surcharge per stamp.
Once removed from the sheet, the stamp is identical to the one issued in April 1937
and it is impossible to spot the difference!

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 26 Sep 2014 21:20

Extra to the Hitler Miniature Sheets from APRIL 1937

Some cancellations to look out for:

In Pasewalk the sheets were cancelled for a whole week with the wrong year "1936".
In Potsdam 1 between 350 and 400 sheets were cancelled in red cancellations.

ClassicKrazy · Post by **ClassicKrazy** » 26 Sep 2014 22:05

Very impressive Third Reich collection Bill.
I have a Third Reich collection in an old Schaubek album also but nothing like this, always found them interesting.
One thing you pictured on 1st page were the "AZAD HIND" stamps.
I have the complete sets of both perf and imperfs but never knew their history until I read you web page on them, well done.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 27 Sep 2014 05:17

Thank you, I am glad you like the thread and you found my website of value.
I have some philaelic items that will interest you later

Cheers,Bill.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 27 Sep 2014 09:05

18th July 1937. Stamp Exhibition in Thüringen

Another stamp exhibition, with its own special cancellation.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 27 Sep 2014 09:17

1st August 1937. Brown Ribbon Horse Race

The Brown Ribbon race of 1937 sold miniature sheets of 1936 with a red overprint dated "1937".
It was a cheap way of using up stocks of the 1936 sheets, although post-war, there are some
clever fakes, so be careful. Some miniature sheets are known with overprint wrong way up.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 27 Sep 2014 09:24

8th August 1937. Stamp Exhibition in Anklam

A stamp exhibition in Anklam, birth place of Otto Lilienthal (of Zeppelin fame)

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 27 Sep 2014 18:54

1st September 1937. Official Postcards for the Nuremburg Rally 1937

The Rally ran from 6th to the 13th September 1937

A set of 8 official postcards for the Nuremburg Rally 1937.
The set came in an envelope at a cost of 2RM (1 RM for the culture fund).

The stamps on the postcards are pre-paid imprints

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 28 Sep 2014 03:04

Bill Medland wrote:10th June 1937. Hitler Miniature Sheet (this time with 25Rpf Surcharge)

Minisheet with special cancellation commemorating the 700th anniversary of Berlin, celebrated between 14-22 August 1937.

And a rather sad copy with special cancellation commemorating Mussolini's state visit to Germany, between 25-29 September 1937.

Dave.

Post by **gavin-h** » 28 Sep 2014 03:59

I bumped into Dave this morning at the Stamp Fair at Bilsborrow Village Hall, near Preston.

This thread was one of the main topics of discussion. Some very impressive material and we both agreed that it's nice to see it in chronological order with related postcards etc included in the relevant place.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 28 Sep 2014 04:40

Thanks for the kind words, l will post some more when
I return home from work at midnight ( German time).

Yes, l am also trying to show by cronological
order, how the stamps and postcards etc
all fit together, exactly as you mentioned above.
( much later, you will be amazed how the various
occupation issues fit in with the German home front
issues and there are some interesting items to come!)

cheers, Bill.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 28 Sep 2014 09:56

3rd September 1937. Hitler Miniature Sheet and the Nuremburg Rally 1937

This was the forth miniature sheet in this series, this one however was overprinted on the
stamps, left side "REICHSPARTIETAG" and on the right side with "NÜRNBERG 1937".

Two of the official Rally cards.........

The official 1937 Rally emblem

The Labour Corps girls camp

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 28 Sep 2014 10:01

1937 Nuremburg Rally Postcards

(The 1 RPF stamp obviously added after summer 1941)

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 28 Sep 2014 18:09

3rd September 1937. "Collecting after work" Philatelic Exhibition

Even factory workers were encouraged to become philatelists, this exhibition in Berlin
was organised by the German Workers Front and Doktor Robert Ley (Labour Minister).

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 29 Sep 2014 09:42

25th-29th September 1937. Mussolini in Germany

The postcard is very rare because it is cancelled in BOTH of the cities that Mussolini visited,
Berlin and Munich. How could an average philatelist of 1937 be able to afford the rail travel
to visit both Berlin and Munich? Did the postcard belong to some one involved with the event?
Dipomatic Corps, Train Staff or a cook or clerk travelling with Mussolini`s train?

Mussolini connected with the Germans right from the start, mostly because he could speak the
German language. He held several speeches in German about unity, togetherness and each
others nations. I was listening to them only recently when I was side tracked going through
my audio collection, looking for something else.

"The Führer and the Duce, Garantors of the Peace"

Cancelled in both Berlin and Munich

Two unused postcards from Berlin 1937

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 29 Sep 2014 10:02

1st October 1937. Harvest Festival and Farmers Day

Harvest Festival and Farmers Day 1937 official postcard.
In the Third Reich the status of farmers was elevated to
a very high level, Warrior or Hero of the Nation.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 29 Sep 2014 10:10

October 1937. Hindenburg Booklet

Combinations from the October 1937 stamp booklet......

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 02:13

4th November 1937. Winter Relief Fund 1937

For the Winter Relief Fund, a set of 9 stamps and a postcard with an
imprint were placed on sale. Motive for 1937 was "Ships".

The set of nine stamps for the Winter Relief Fund

The official postcard to the set with imprint in the motive of "Ships".

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 02:17

November 1937. Winter Relief Fund Stamp Booklet

Combinations from the (MH44) booklet............

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 02:23

1st Gera Stamp Exhibition 1937

Official postcard with imprint (unusual because the imprint is 10 Rpf and not the more usual 5Rpf )

The exhibition was not only for philatelists, but also the 700th birthday of the town of Gera.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 02:35

13th December 1937. Danzig Winter Relief Fund

If we include a miniature sheet (which I do not have) then this is the 4th issue
from Danzig where the stamp design contains swastikas.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 02:41

1937/38. Winter Relief Street Collection

An official postcard of the Winter Relief Street Collections

People who gave to the Winter Relief Fund in 1937 were also given a paper flower,
very much like the ones on the postcard. I have about 100 of them in a box and they
all look different.

Monaco75 · Post by **Monaco75** » 30 Sep 2014 15:09

Think I just d/c what I wrote so..
I just wanted to mention again how much I'm enjoying the thread.
I do not collect German stamp(missed the chance). The thread has me thinking about WW11 and my US series, "Overrun Countries 1943 - 1944".
Scott's#909 - #921. Along with this set of stamps I have included:
WW11 War Bond Stamps - 1 came from my mother -
A negative propaganda envelope with a plane bombing Japan -
My mother's 1942 blood donor card -
A Ration book with my father's name 1943 -
A poster stamp with an eagle, stars & V on USA flag colors -
A block of German stamps(6) from 1941 - 1944 -
Scott's #410 - 6pf - purple in color but faded. I think they
are valued at less than a dollar. I mention the value to
help ID the stamps. I did not buy these stamp they were
given to me along with a German post card. It is the post card
I remembered and looked at it again. It turned out quite
interesting - POSTKARTE
DOPISNICE -
A stamp from the German Reich is printed on the card.
The stamp on top is marked DEUTSCHES REICH
Adolf Hitler facing left
60
BOHMEN UND MAHREN
CECHY MORAVA on the bottom
The post card is faded tan and black border of leaves and vines(thin).
The stamp might have been purple. All of this
lead me to looking up on the internet:
Bohmen und Mahren = Bohemia and Moravia -
CECHY MORAVA - a growing region needed for the war.
The post card was issued during German occupation of Bohemia
and Moravia (Czechoslovkia) during WW11.
Bohemia and Moravia were protectorates of Slovakia, which was
an independent country.
**Just a Little More**

I had in the past tried to collect Italian stamps and Have quite
a few. I have a set of 6 Scott's
#413 - #415 - DVE POPOLI VAN GVERRA printed on them -
#416 - #418 - POSTE ITALIANE -
The stamp pictures Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini facing each other.
I was unable to find an acquit translation for DVE POPOLI VNA GVERRA
perhaps, War of the Masses or War of the People maybe two leaders one war?? Help is needed.
This was a pleasant little history trip and just wanted to add my 2 cents.
Its mid night and time to sleep or for some to wake up.

Monaco75 · Post by **Monaco75** » 30 Sep 2014 15:14

Just wanted to add sorry about not posting pictures,
I'm trying to learn. Next time-
M

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 19:38

8th January 1938. 1st Schwäbische Philatelic Exhibition in Stuttgart

The stamp exhibition in Stuttgart ran from 8th to the 16th January 1938.

I have two items from the exhibition, both with Winter Relief Fund stamp series,
a large (A4 size) decorative sheet with the whole set and a postcard with one stamp.
Both items have the special exhibition cancellation.

The heading on the decorative sheet is "A Nation helps its self"

WHW = Winter Hilfs Werk (Winter Relief Fund)

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 19:44

9th January 1938. "Day of the Stamp" Exhibition

Two postcards with 3 Rpf imprint. Design shows the monument in Bern
to the World Postal Union.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 30 Sep 2014 20:01

26th January 1938. Official Stamps of the NSDAP

These stamps were valid for all NSDAP postal items.

Philatelists could purchase the stamps (unused) at the collector counter in Berlin,
but were not authorised to have any cancellations added.

From the 1st August 1938 the set was also valid in Austria and the Free State of Danzig

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 01 Oct 2014 06:33

Bill Medland wrote:25th-29th September 1937. Mussolini in Germany

A home made commemorative cover from Mussolini's state visit -

Unfortunately, torn up the left hand side.

Dave.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 01 Oct 2014 07:08

Bill Medland wrote:4th November 1937. Winter Relief Fund 1937

Winter Relief Fund postcard stamped with a commemorative postmark, from Berlin, for the Day of National Solidarity, 4 December 1937. Which, as far as I've found by googling, is the climax of the Winter Help fundraising campaign.

Also, a collection of stamp related special cancellations from Bremen, for June 1938.

I can't quite work out what all the Bremen cancellations are for, but I'm sure Bill will get to them in due course

Dave.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 01 Oct 2014 07:26

Bill Medland wrote:8th January 1938. 1st Schwäbische Philatelic Exhibition in Stuttgart

A used postcard, in a different colour -

Dave.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » 01 Oct 2014 07:36

Bill Medland wrote:9th January 1938. "Day of the Stamp" Exhibition

A Stamp Day postcard from Sorau in Silesia, now Żary in western Poland.

Also, a single use of the Hitler Nuremberg Rally minisheet, which I hadn't noticed earlier.

Dave.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 01 Oct 2014 09:21

Some good items there Dave, this thread should be re-named the "Bill and Dave Thread"

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 01 Oct 2014 09:34

28th January 1938. Five Years of NSDAP Government

The NSDAP came to power on 30th January 1933 and issued a set of two stamps
and a postcard for the occasion showing a torch bearer in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

The two stamps in the set

The official postcard

A close up of the special cancellation

A page from my collection showing the page layout with information

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 01 Oct 2014 09:47

22nd February 1938. Danzig- 150th Birthday of Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer 1788-1860, Philosopher.

Danzig stamps printed in Berlin

[

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 01 Oct 2014 09:56

6th March 1938. RHEINPOSTA Philatelic Exhibition

The Rheinposta exhibition was held in Cologne between 6th and 13th March 1938

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 01 Oct 2014 18:42

8th April 1938. German Union with Austria Stamp Issue

Historical Background:

(I have not copied this from anywhere, it is in my own words from memory)

It was the goal of many Germans and Austrians after the defeat of 1918 for a unification of all German
language speaking peoples. A move that was forbidden in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, in fact
Britain, France and Italy said they were prepared to go to war if Germany and Austria united.

The first attempt in 1934 by force failed and caused the banning of the Nazi Party in Austria for a while.
Austrian Nazis were forbidden from wearing Brownshirts, so when they attended Nuremburg Rallies, they
were the ones wearing white shirts. It was during the failed Putsch of 1934 that the Austrian leader
Dollfuss was assassinated. The Italians blocked all attempts of unification during the 1930s, they did
not wish to have a powerful united Germany on their northern borders.

Hitler decided that the only way was through a democratic ballot box, but first he must win over the
Italian leader Mussolini, this was done in September 1937, when Mussolini visited Germany in a State
visit. The way was now open and German troops crossed the border in the middle of March 1938 and
Hitler followed shortly after, visiting both Vienna, Linz and Braunau am Inn, his birth place.

On the 10th April 1938 a national vote was held and the result for unification was a staggering 99.7%
a result that even the Nazis were not expecting! Marching into Austria with the German army were
thousands of uniformed members of the "Austrian Legion" (exiled Austrian Nazis). It was obvious that
thousands of anti-Nazi exiles in Austria whould have to flee once again and hundreds, if not thousands
of Austrians, including Jews, were rounded up shortly after the German entry into the country.

After the war a lot of Austrians have called it an occupation of Austria, but this is just an "Opt Out Clause"
for the war guilt that Germany suffered. The fact remains that when the IMT (International Military Tribunal)
in Nuremburg collected film footage and photos as exhibits of various German occupations of World War Two,
none of the films and photos taken during the German march into Austria could be used, as the Austrian crowds
were cheering and all smiles! In the film footage (if one looks online) it is of Hitler coming home to his Austria.

Philatelic Background:

The stamps show a German and an Austrian holding their flags, arm in arm. Although the stamps look alike, they
are different. The one printed in Berlin has a swastika watermark and the one printed in Vienna has no watermark
and the frame of the design in the Vienna printing is smaller, giving the white margin a whiter appearance, the
perforations are also different. The official postcard to the set was printed in Berlin.

This was the first time the printing works in Vienna was used for printing German stamps. In the future most of the
commemorative issues for Germany would be printed in Vienna, a lot of the occupation issues much latter, would also
be printed in Vienna. However, the Definitve issues (and issues for the Free State of Danzig) would be printed in Berlin.

The two stamps, left the Berlin printing, right the Vienna printing

The official postcard with imprint

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 02 Oct 2014 09:30

13th March (until 1st October) 1938. Austrian Stamps after the Union

Austria (now called "Ostmark") continued to use Austrian stamps after the 13th March 1938,
these stamps were valid in Austria until the 31st October 1938, but not at all in Germany.

German stamps were valid in Austria from the 4th April 1938 and mixed stamps were allowed.
Many German propaganda slogans were in use, as seen in this and the next post.........

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 02 Oct 2014 09:35

More covers from the German union with Austria

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 02 Oct 2014 18:25

8th April 1938. Hitlers Birthday Issue

This stamp was issued for Hitlers 49th birthday (20th April 1938).

On sale in Germany 8th April, on sale in Austria from 19th April.
Valid in Austria from the 13th April.

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 02 Oct 2014 18:27

14th April 1938. Decorative Telegram

Bill Medland · Post by **Bill Medland** » 02 Oct 2014 18:31

20th April 1938. Hitlers Birthday Parade in Vienna

The first time Hitlers birthday was celebrated in Austria with a large parade