NAZI GERMANY
OTHER POSTCARDS
1938
The 1938 postcard page has now been split into four separate pages as it was beginning to get unwieldy. All 1938 Official postcards are now on this page. Official postcards are cards that were issued by the Reich's post office, had pre-printed (indicia) stamps and were widely available throughout German towns and cities.
Secondly Printed to Private Order postcards are postcards that were generally issued by entities that were advertising an event or commemorating an anniversary, and also had pre-printed stamps, but were not widely available throughout Germany (most were only available at the event they were commemorating).
Thirdly Other postcards are postcards that fall into the same general category as printed to private order however they do not have pre-printed stamps.
Finally, Miscellaneous postcards is where you will find postcards that do not fit into the first three categories (i.e. they are not official, they do not have pre-printed stamps, and they do not commemorate an event).
Quick Links:
1st SWABIAN POSTAL EXHIBITION, ECONOMIC POLICY COMMITTEE of the NSDAP , BERLIN INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE, K.d.F STAMP EXHIBITION DORTMUND, ANNEXATION of AUSTRIA, HITLER'S 49th BIRTHDAY, GERMAN PEOPLE'S NATIONAL HOLIDAY, MAY DAY - AUSTRIA, GERMANY Vs ENGLAND FOOTBALL , SOLDIERS' DAY, GAUTAG LEIPZIG, DEUTSCHLANDFLUG 1938 , NATIONAL COLONIAL CONFERENCE, 44th GERMAN PHILATELIST'S DAY , AFRICA CALLS, INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION, WEST SAXONY SHOW, SAXONY at WORK, DISTRICT MEETING of NSDAP - JENA, 600th ANNIVERSARY of PHILIPPSBURG, SILESIAN SPORTS COMPETITION, ZSCHOPAU SCHOOL AND HOME FESTIVAL, SA SPORTS GROUP, GERMAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP, NATIONAL COMPETITION of the SA, 700th ANNIVERSARY GÖβNITZ, BRESLAU SPORTS FESTIVAL, OUR COLONIES, GAU SACHSEN COLONIAL SHOW, "THE ETERNAL JEW" EXHIBITION, GREAT PRICE MOTORCYCLE RACES, STATE VISIT of PRINCE REGENT HORTHY, MODEL AIRCRAFT COMPETITION, 6th ETHNIC GERMAN CONVENTION, REICHSPARTEITAG, GERMAN BUILDING AND SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION, GREATER GERMAN RESTAURANT DAY , FIRST MAJOR GERMAN TRADE SHOW, FOUR POWER MUNICH CONFERENCE, ANNEXATION of the SUDETENLAND, GAU DAY of the NSDAP, ANTI-BOLSHEVIC EXHIBITION, BERLIN CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET, GAU DAY ESSEN, HITLER PORTRAIT and GERMAN INDUSTRY
STAMP DAY
DRESDEN
(9th Jan 1938)
The German Collectors' Community of the K.d.F produced this Stamp Day postcard for a show in Dresden. The card does not have a pre-printed stamp and was sponsored by the K.d.F. (Kraft durch Freude).
Dresden Show
1st SWABIAN POSTAL EXHIBITION
(8th/16th Jan 1938)
These two postcards were issued to commemorate the First Swabian Postal Exhibition held in the City of Stuttgart from the 8th to the 16th of Jan 1938 and coinciding with the annual Stamp Day. There was also a special cancel that is inscribed 'STUTTGART | 1. Schwabische | Postwertzeichen | Austellung | 8.-16.1.38 | STADT DER AUSLANDSDEUTSCHE'.
1st SWABIAN EXHIBITION
WHITE CARD
WHITE CARD
FROM MY COLLECTION
1st SWABIAN EXHIBITION
WHITE CARD
WHITE CARD
FROM MY COLLECTION
1st SWABIAN EXHIBITION
DARKER CARD
DARKER CARD
FROM MY COLLECTION
1st SWABIAN EXHIBITION
DARKER CARD
DARKER CARD
FROM MY COLLECTION
ECONOMIC POLICY COMMITTEE
of the NSDAP
(24th/29th Jan 1938)
COMING SOON
BERLIN INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE
and MOTORCYCLE SHOW
(18th Feb/6th Mar 1938)
There were at least 3 different postcards issued to commemorate the Berlin International Automobile and Motorcycle show held from 18th Feb to 6th Mar 1938. There was also a special cancel inscribed 'BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG | 18.feb - 6. Marz 1938 | Int. Automobil-u-Mottorad-Austellung'.
INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW
FROM MY COLLECTION
INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW
FROM MY COLLECTION
INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW
VDA PEASANT'S FESTIVAL
HAALE (SAALE)
(5th Mar 1938)
In addition to the private postcards there were also other postcards published to commemorate the Halle (Saale) VDA Peasant's Festival held on 5th Mar 1938. These cards feature the same design as the private postcards only now without the pre-printed stamps.
Click here for more variations.
(1)
PP127-C-35
(WITHOUT PRE-PRINTED STAMP)
PP127-C-35
(WITHOUT PRE-PRINTED STAMP)
(2)
PP142-C-26
(WITHOUT PRE-PRINTED STAMP)
PP142-C-26
(WITHOUT PRE-PRINTED STAMP)
K.d.F STAMP EXHIBITION DORTMUND
(3rd Apr 1938)
K.d.F STAMP EXHIBITION
FROM MY COLLECTION
ANNEXATION OF AUSTRIA
(8th Apr 1938)
There were a large number of private and other postcards issued prior to the Austrian vote (plebiscite) on whether or not to become part of a Greater Germany on 10th Apr 1938.
The postcard shown below was published by Verlag Heinrich Hoffmann, München on 8th Apr 1938 to highlight the upcoming vote on Austria's future. The text reads 'Volk Steht zu volk.| Wir Alle geh gehören dem Führer.| Dein Dank, Dein Ja.| am 10.April.' translated as 'The People stand together. We all belong to the Führer. Your thanks, Your yes. on the 10th of April.' The self-adhesive stamp on the reverse has been cancelled with a LINZ CDS and special slogan cancel used at the time.
Click here for more cards related to the vote.
Austrian Plebiscite
FROM MY COLLECTION
HITLER'S 49th BIRTHDAY
(20th Apr 1938)
Hitler's Birthday in 1938 resulted in the usual deluge of special commemorative postcards, even more so this year since the re-union with Austria 10 days earlier. The card below features an image of the house where Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria. There was another almost identical card that features the same scene but instead of the plain red background behind the "Zum Geburtstag des Fuhrers | 20.April 1938" inscription and swastika, the background is plain white, without a swastika.
Hitler's Birthday
FROM MY COLLECTION
MAP OF GREATER GERMANY
(20th Apr 1938)
The book "Postcards of Hitler's Germany" Vol 2 by Roger Bender dates this particular card at 10th Oct 1938. However, this example was cancelled much earlier, on Hitler's 49th birthday on 20th Apr 1938. That places the publication of this card earlier than first thought. The card commemorates the union of Germany and Austria to form a Greater Germany "Grossdeutschland".
(1)
FROM MY COLLECTION
(2)
FROM MY COLLECTION
GERMAN PEOPLE's NATIONAL HOLIDAY
(1st May 1938)
This postcard was issued to commemorate the German People's National Holiday (May Day) on 1st May 1938.
May Day
COMING SOON
MAY DAY - AUSTRIA
(1st May 1938)
The postcard below-left was issued to commemorate May Day (National Day of Labour) in Austria on 1st May 1938. The image features a blacksmith forging a map of Greater-Germany (i.e. Germany unified with Austria). Behind him is an industrial complex and a large NSDAP flag. The card is inscribed 'Groβ-Deutschland's 1 Mai' - 'Greater-Germany's 1. May'.
The image below-right was also issued in Austria to commemorate May Day, the first since the Anschluss with Germany. It depicts Hitler dressed in military uniform and the usual slogan 'Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer!'. Although the union was brought about by a people's vote this postcard sends the message that the union is a military union rather than a peaceful one.
National Day of Labour
No.1 & No. 2 COMING SOON
COMMEMORATING THE FOOTBALL MATCH
BETWEEN GERMANY and ENGLAND
(14th May 1938)
There were two postcards published by Postkarten-Verlag of Berlin to commemorate the International football match between Germany and England. The first card features players from the German team and the second card those from the England team.
GERMANY
FROM MY COLLECTION
ENGLAND
FROM MY COLLECTION
SOLDIERS' DAY
(15th May 1938)
This series of 10 postcards was published by Kunstverlag Andelfinger, München 15 on 15th May 1938 to commemorate Solders' Day. This attractive series of postcards is referred to as 'Postkarte der Wehrmacht' and depicts 10 scenes of German troops in action. The postcard shown below left is No.1 in the series. There are at least two variations in the reverse side of the card (see below).
I have the Complete Series in my collection.
Soldiers' Day 1938
FROM MY COLLECTION
GAUTAG LEIPZIG
(21st/22nd May 1938)
Published by R. Adam of Dresden to commemorate Gau Day in Leipzig, Saxony. There were 3 special cancels used in conjunction with this event, all cancelled 'LEIPZIG'. Another postcard featuring Gau Day and the Hitler Youth march in Leipzig was also available and is inscribed 'HJ Sachsen'.
GAU DAY LEIPZIG
FROM MY COLLECTION
DEUTSCHLANDFLUG 1938
(22nd/29th May 1938)
DEUTSCHLANDFLUG
COMING SOON
NATIONAL COLONIAL CONFERENCE
(26th/29th May 1938)
Published by the Reichskolonialbund to commemorate the National Colonial Conference held in Bremen from 26th to 29th May 1938. The card is inscribed 'Der Reichskolonialbund ruft auch dich!' or 'The National Colonial League Calls on You!' a rallying cry for the organisation. The image shows the former African colonies that Germany lost at the end of the First World War, they are Kamerun, Deutsche Südwest Afrika, Deutsche Ost-Afrika and Togo.
Bremen Colonial Conference
44th GERMAN PHILATELIST'S DAY
(26th/29th May 1938)
This envelope was published to commemorate the 44th German Philatelist's Day held in BREMEN from 26th to 29th May 1938. In addition to this envelope there was a set of postcards.
44th GERMAN PHILATELIST'S DAY
FROM MY COLLECTION
AFRICA CALLS
(26th/29th May 1938)
Another postcard published to commemorate the National Colonial Conference held in Bremen from 26th to 29th May 1938. The text reads "Afrika ruft" - 'Africa calls'.
Bremen Colonial Conference
INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION
(28th May/10th Jul 1938)
There were two postcards published to commemorate the International Handicraft Exhibition held in Berlin-Charlottenburg from 28th May until 10th Jul 1938. The first card, shown below, features the special cancel used at the exhibition. The second card has a portrait layout and bears the inscription "ANDENKEN AN DIE ERSTE".
INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION
COMING SOON
WEST SAXONY SHOW
(28th May/12th Jun 1938)
This postcard was issued to commemorate the West Saxony Show, also referred to as the Exhibition for Culture and the Local Economy. The card does not have a pre-printed stamp.
SWICKAU
SAXONY at WORK
(10th Jun 1938)
Below are two unofficial postcards that also commemorate the Saxony At Work Exhibition.
SAXONY AT WORK
FROM MY COLLECTION
SAXONY AT WORK
FROM MY COLLECTION
DISTRICT MEETING of NSDAP
JENA
(18th/19th Jun 1938)
The postcard below-left was issued to commemorate the district meeting of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers' Party) in Jena from 18th to 19th June 1938. More research and image required.
An identical postcard (below-right) was issued with only the date changed to 25/26-6-38 to commemorate an unknown district meeting of the NSDAP.
(1)
NSDAP Meeting
18/19-6-38
NSDAP Meeting
18/19-6-38
(2)
NSDAP Meeting
25/26-6-38
NSDAP Meeting
25/26-6-38
600th ANNIVERSARY of
PHILIPPSBURG
(19th Jun 1938)
This single postcard was published to commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the City of Philippsburg, in Baden-Württemburg. The image is that of Simplicissimus, the Philippsburg Drummer whose job was to raise recruits to defend Philippsburg Fortress in 1624. The image on the right is the Coat of Arms of the city.
600th Anniversary
SILESIAN SPORTS COMPETITION
(27th Jun 1938)
Unofficial postcard published to commemorate the Silesian sports competition of the SA, SS, NSKK, NSFK and RAD organisations held in Breslau on the 27th of Jun 1938.
SA Sports Group
ZSCHOPAU SCHOOL AND HOME FESTIVAL
(2nd/4th Jul 1938)
This single postcard was published to commemorate the Zschopau School and Home Festival held from 2nd to 4th Jul 1938.
SCHOOL AND HOME FESTIVAL
SA SPORTS GROUP
(2nd/5th Jul 1938)
Unofficial postcard published by Südwestdruck, Karlsruhe to commemorate the Paramilitary/Sports Competitions of the SA-Gruppe Südwest held in Karlsruhe on the 2nd and 3rd Jul 1938.
SA Sports Group
GERMAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP
(8th/10th Jul 1938)
This single postcard was published by Bochmann of Darmstadt to commemorate the German Swimming Competition held in Darmstadt from 8th to 10th Jul 1938.
GERMAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP
NATIONAL COMPETITION of the SA
(15th/17th Jul 1938)
This unofficial series of six coloured postcards was also issued to commemorate the National SA Sports competition held in Berlin from 15th to 17th Jul 1938. The SA high command (Obersten SA Führung) sanctioned the series which was published by F. Bruckmann K.G of München. The six cards were sold as a pack which was inscribed 'Reichswettkämpfe | der SA | Berlin 15.-17.Juli 1938' and depicts an oak leaf wreath with swastika and sword in the centre.
Click here for more information on these cards.
No. 1
FROM MY COLLECTION
No. 2
FROM MY COLLECTION
700th ANNIVERSARY GÖβNITZ
(23rd/31st Jul 1938)
This single postcard was published to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of Göβnitz. The inscription reads "Gößnitz im Erzgebirge" - 'Goessnitz in the Ore Mountains'.
700th ANNIVERSARY GÖβNITZ
BRESLAU SPORTS FESTIVAL
(24th/31st Jul 1938)
As well as the two cards below there were a number of other postcards published to commemorate the 1938 Breslau Sports Festival.
Click here for more cards related to the festival.
Breslau Sports Festival
COMING SOON
Breslau Sports Festival
FROM MY COLLECTION
OUR COLONIES
(30th Jul 1938)
There are several variations of the postcards issued on 30th Jul 1938 to commemorate Germany's lost colonies.
Type I : This variation differs from the others in that there is no inscription below the image in the left pane. There are 6 different sub types within Type I: 1Pf, 3Pf, 5Pf, 6Pf Hindenburg Medallions and two 5Pf Luftpost pre-printed stamps. The 5Pf Luftpost version exists in two sizes: a standard 148x105mm size and a larger 165x110mm size. There is also a mono-coloured version without a pre-printed stamp
Click here to learn more about the different versions.
PP122-C-63
FROM MY COLLECTION
MONO-COLOURED
FROM MY COLLECTION
GAU SACHSEN COLONIAL SHOW
(30th Jul/1st Aug 1938)
Unofficial postcard published to commemorate the Colonial Day of the Reichskolonialbund organisation of Dresden, held from 30th Jul to the 1st Aug 1938.
GAU SACHSEN COLONIAL SHOW
"THE ETERNAL JEW" EXHIBITION
(2nd Aug 1938)
This postcard was released to advertise the 'Eternal Jew' Exhibition held in Vienna in 1938. There are three variations of this card, this one without a pre-printed stamp and two others, PP127-C-31 and PP142-C-18 with a 6Rpf Hindenburg Medallion stamp and a 5Rpf Luftpost stamp, respectively and issued in Munich. This version of the card has the text below the image on three lines whereas the 1937 versions are on two lines.
Click here for more information.
(1)
The Eternal Jew
The Eternal Jew
FROM MY COLLECTION
GREAT PRICE MOTORCYCLE RACES
(7th Aug 1938)
This postcard was issued to commemorate the 1938 'GROSSER PRIES VON EUROPA' motorcycle races held at The Sachsenring at Hohenstein-Ernstthal. The card does not have a pre-printed stamp.
Grosser Pries Europa
COMING SOON
STATE VISIT of PRINCE REGENT HORTHY
(25th/27th Aug 1938)
Issued 25th to 27th Aug to celebrate the official visit of Hungarian Prince Regent Horthy to Germany. The card features portraits of Adolf Hitler and Horthy and was published by Verlag O. Struck, Berlin-Lichterfelde. There were at least another 4 postcards commemorating the visit. This example has the special cancel used to celebrate the event in Berlin as well as an additional cancel from Stuttgart.
Click here for more cards related to the visit.
Official Visit of Horthy
FROM MY COLLECTION
Official Visit of Horthy
COMING SOON
MODEL AIRCRAFT COMPETITION
(26th/28th Aug 1938)
Issued to commemorate the 1938 NSFK model aircraft competition held in Borkenberge. The card has a 6Pf Hindenburg Medallion pre-printed stamp on the reverse and there was a special postmark used to commemorate the vent that was inscribed "Borkenberge über Dülmen | Reichswettbewerb für Motorflugmodelle/NSFK"
Model Aircraft Competition
6th ETHNIC GERMAN CONVENTION
(26th Aug/4th Sep 1938)
This striking postcard was designed by Lehner and issued to commemorate the 6th Convention of Ethnic Germans Living Abroad, held in Stuttgart from the 26th of Aug to the 4th Sep 1938. There was also an accompanying special cancel inscribed 'STUTTGART | VI. Reichstagung d. Auslandsdeutschen | 26.8.-4.9.38 | Stadt der Auslandsdeutschen'
Click here for more examples from my collection.
6th Ethnic German Convention
FROM MY COLLECTION
REICHSPARTEITAG
(1st Sep 1938)
As in previous years there were a large number of private postcards published to commemorate the rally. Below are a few of the postcards available at the time, there are many more than shown here.
Click here for more cards related to the 1938 rally.
NSDAP Rally
FROM MY COLLECTION
COMMEMORATING 1st REICHSPARTEITAG
(8th/12th Sep 1938)
Issued to commemorate the 1st Greater Germany (Union of Austria and Germany) Reichsparteitag.
FROM MY COLLECTION
GERMAN BUILDING AND SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION
(3rd Sep/9th Oct 1938)
Issued to commemorate the 1938 German Building and Settlement Exhibition held from 3rd Sep to 9th Oct 1938 in Frankfurt am-Main.
GERMAN BUILDING and SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION
GREATER GERMAN RESTAURANT DAY
(27th/29th Sep 1938)
GREATER GERMAN RESTAURANT DAY
FROM OUR COLLECTION
FIRST MAJOR GERMAN TRADE SHOW
(28th Sep 1938)
This single postcard was published to commemorate the 'First Major German Trade Show for the Catering and Accommodation Trade' and was held in Vienna on 28th Jul 1938.
FIRST MAJOR GERMAN TRADE SHOW
FOUR POWER MUNICH CONFERENCE
(29th Sep 1938)
This two-part postcard was issued to commemorate the four power Munich conference held in Sep 1938 in an effort to appease Adolf Hitler with his demands for the Sudetenland. The conference sacrificed the Czech people for another year of peace in Europe. There were several other postcards issued on the same theme and with similar designs.
Munich Conference
FROM MY COLLECTION
ANNEXATION OF THE SUDETENLAND
(1st Oct 1938)
There were a great number of postcards published to commemorate the return of the Sudetenland to Germany, below are just a few examples of the many that were printed.
Issued 1st Oct 1938 to celebrate the return of the Sudetenland on 1st Oct 1938, Austria on 12th Mar 1938 and the Saarland on 1st Mar 1935 to Germany. There are three versions of this card, the first has no inscription on the base of the plinth, the second has "Gross Deutschland" on the base of the plinth and the third, which was printed in 1945, has a blue label added to the plinth inscribed 'DEUTSCHLAND VERDERRER 1945'. The example below is the second version.
Click here for more cards related to the annexation.
Return of the Sudetenland
'Ein Volk - Ein Reich - Ein Fuhrer '
'Ein Volk - Ein Reich - Ein Fuhrer '
FROM MY COLLECTION
GAU DAY of the NSDAP
(22nd/23rd Oct 1938)
Originally this postcard was released to commemorate Gau Day on 22nd and 23rd Oct 1938, however the event was delayed so this card was re-issued in two forms. The first re-issue is exactly the same as the original but now has the '22/23 Okt' overprinted '4-6 Nov'. Clearly stocks of the '22/23 Okt' version were re-used. The second form has exactly the same design but there is no longer a '22/23 Okt' date at all, instead it has been completely replaced (not overwritten) with 4.-6. NOV.)
(1)
Original Version '22/23 Okt'
Original Version '22/23 Okt'
FROM MY COLLECTION
(3)
Only '4.-6.NOV'
Only '4.-6.NOV'
ANTI-BOLSHEVIC EXHIBITION
(10th Dec/28th Feb 1939)
Published in Vienna by Verlag für Kultur und Wirtschaftswerbung, Berlin and sponsored by the propaganda section of the NSDAP to commemorate the anti-Bolshevik Exhibition held in Berlin from 10th Dec 1938 to 28th Feb 1939.
Anti-Bolshevik Exhibition
BERLIN CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET
(Dec 1938)
This colourful postcard was issued to advertise the Berlin Christmas Night Market. The card was published by Verlag Otto Strund of Berlin and bears an inscription on the reverse that reads "Festpostkarte | "Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt" | herausgeβer" Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur förderung | der Berliner Innenstadt e.V" - 'Festive postcard | "Berlin Christmas Market" | Extracted "Working group for the promotion | of the inner city of Berlin eV"'
CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET
GAU DAY ESSEN
(1938)
This postcard was issued to commemorate Gau Day in Essen in 1938. The card was published by Dr. R Morisse and Co. of Wuppertal and is unusual in that the central panel is constructed with machine-woven silk.
GAU DAY ESSEN
HITLER PORTRAIT
(1938)
This postcard was issued prior to 1938 but has been placed here due to the three different special cancels on the reverse side.
The special cancels are as follows:
1. "HAMBURG 36 | Reichstagung Kraft durch freude | Hamburg 1938". This special cancel was used in tadem with P246 and P247 Official postcards for the K.d.F conference in Hamburg.
2. "Tag des Gross Deutches Reich | Wien 9. April 1938" a special cancel used to commemorate the vote in Austria to become a part of greater Germany.
3. "KÖNIGSBERG | 10 Jahre Gau Ost preussen" a special cancel to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the creation of the East Prussian Gau. There was also a printed to private order postcard available.
HITLER PORTRAIT
There are several other versions of this card issued to commemorate the union with Austria in 1938 as well as Gau Day of the GRAZ NSDAP in 1939.
GERMAN INDUSTRY
(1938)
These triple postcards were published during 1938 [REQUIRES CONFIRMATION] and were designed to show the strength of German industry when compared to her main rivals.
Click here for more details.
(1)
FROM MY COLLECTION
(2)
FROM MY COLLECTION
