NAZI GERMANY
STAMPS
1939
STAMP DAY
(Tag der Briefmarke)
There were no special stamps issued to commemorate the day of the stamp in 1939 however it was 'celebrated' from the 7th to the 9th of January and featured the Winter Relief 'Ostmark and flowers' series from 1938 on a souvenir sheet. There were also 2 special Postcards and a series of special postmarks used during this event.
MICHEL 686 to 688
INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE
and MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITION
Three stamps were issued on 17th February 1939 to commemorate the International Automobile and Motorcycle Show in Berlin. Designed by Meerwald and engraved on coated sheets (5x10) of swastika watermarked paper and Perf K 14.
There was also a special postmark used for the duration of the show, 17th Feb 1939 to 5th March 1939 in Berlin.
Mi 686
6Pf+4Pf
black bluish green
The First Automobiles by Benz (1885) and Daimler (1886)
More Details
6Pf+4Pf
black bluish green
The First Automobiles by Benz (1885) and Daimler (1886)
More Details
The stamps were originally limited to two sets per person at the exhibition in Berlin and then later distributed from 17th Feb to 5th Mar from the special post office and selected distributors at the exhibition as well as at the exhibition booths. From 15th Feb they were also available from the Reich Automobile Industry Association Berlin-Charlottenburg 2.
INTERNATIONALE AUTOMOBILE
UND MOTORRAD
AUSFTELLUNG BERLIN
(Coin Wrappers)
Coin wrappers were also issued by the same 4 banks to advertise the show. As with the stamps themselves there were 4 versions .Below you can see those from the Deutsche Bank, there are also versions from Dresdner Bank, Vienna Lӓnderbank and the Austrian Credit Agency Vienna Bank.
BREAKING NEWS: 22nd Mar
After an ultimatum of 20th Mar, Nazi Germany takes Memelland from Lithuania.
BREAKING NEWS: 25th Mar
German troops occupy the remaining parts of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist.
MICHEL 689 & 690
APPRENTICE'S VOCATIONAL CONTEST
These two stamps, 6 Rpf and 12Rpf were issued on the 4th of April 1939 and were valid to 31st December 1940. No special postmark was used to commemorate this event. The design, by Meerwald, features the Reich's Adler with outstretched wings holding a cog (symbolising industry) emblazoned with the swastika. Behind the Reich's Adler is a wreath symbolising victory. Despite the name of the event this was not only for apprentices as it also attracted many older competitors. The stamps were perf K 14 on coated, swastika watermarked paper (10x10).
MICHEL 691
50th BIRTHDAY of ADOLF HITLER
This commemorative stamp was issued on the 13th of April 1939, a week before Hitler's 50th Birthday. Special postmarks and postcards were also issued to commemorate the event and the stamps expired on 31st December 1940. The stamp design is derived from a Heinrich Hoffman photograph taken in Braunau, Austria after the Anschluss (the only time Hitler is known to have returned there). Braunau was Hitler's birthplace and is recognised by one of the special postmarks. The spire in the background is St. Stephan Church where Hitler's parents were married in 1885. The stamp is inscribed "DER FÜHRER in SEINER GEBURTSSTADT BRAUNAU 12/3.38" translated as 'THE LEADER IN HIS BIRTH CITY BRAUNAU'. The stamp was engraved on unwatermarked sheets (10x5) and Perf K 14.
MICHEL 692 & 693
REICHS-GARTENSCHAU IN STUTTGART
These two stamps were issued on 22nd April and were valid to 31st December 1940. Both stamps depict a pavilion at the Stuttgart horticultural exhibition as well as the Stuttgart Coat of Arms. A Special postmark and a slogan postmark were also used for the duration of the exhibition from 22nd April to the 8th of October 1939 as well as a postcard. The stamps were printed Perf K 12¾ on sheets (10x10) on non-watermarked paper at the state printing office in Vienna.
MICHEL 694
LABOUR DAY
On the 28th of April 1939, the stamp shown below was issued to commemorate National Labour Day. The design once again is from a photograph by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffman and depicts Hitler during his "German Day" speech earlier in the year on January 30th. A Special postmark and a postcard were also issued to celebrate this National holiday. The stamp is Perf K 14¼ x 13½ on coated, swastika watermarked paper (10x5).
MICHEL 695 to 697
NÜRNBERG RACES & HITLER'S CULTURE FUND
Same as Michel 686 to 688 with Overprint "NÜRBURGRING RENNEN". This set of 3 stamps was issued on 18th May 1939 and was valid to 31st December 1940. These stamps are identical to Michel 686 to 688 used for the Berlin Auto show except for the addition of an overprint inscribed "Nürburgring-Rennen" - 'Nürburgring-race'. In addition, there were 2 Special postmarks.
BREAKING NEWS: 22nd May
Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel.
MICHEL 698
70th ANNIV of the GERMAN DERBY
The 70th Anniversary of the German Derby was commemorated by the issue of a single Prof. Hadank designed stamp on 18th June 1939. The stamp was Perf K 14 and was produced on unwatermarked paper on sheets (5x10) and was valid for use until 31st December 1940. The horse featured on the stamp was the first winner of the race back in 1869 named 'Investment'. A Special postmark depicting the Hamburg City Coat of Arms was also used on the 18th, 21st, 23rd and 25th June (race day). The stamp itself was only sold n Hamburg.
MICHEL 699
BROWN RIBBON of GERMANY
& HITLER'S CULTURE FUND
This stamp was issued on 12th Jul 1939 to commemorate the 6th running of the Brown Ribbon of Germany horse race. The validity period was just under a year with expiry on 30th June 1940. There was a Special postmark used on 30th July 1939, the day of the race. A slogan postmark advertised the race meeting itself (12th to 30th July). Two additional postmarks can be found that commemorate International Amateur Riders Day, 23rd July and the Brown Ribbon of Jumping held on the penultimate day of the meeting, 29th July. This stamp was designed by Prof. Klein and features a horse trainer. It was engraved on unwatermarked sheets (5x10) and Perf K 14.
MICHEL 700
GERMAN ART DAY
This stamp was Perf K 14 and produced on coated paper on 12th July on (10x10) on swastika watermarked sheets and was valid until 31st December 1940. The design depicts a young Venetian woman from a painting by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). There was a Special postmark as well as a slogan postmark used to accompany the issue of this stamp.
5th NATIONAL CONGRESS of the K.d.F
18th Jul 1939. No stamp was issued to commemorate this event however there was a Special postcard as well as a Special postmark.
EAST GERMAN FAIR
(Königsberg)
8th Aug 1939. The East German Fair at Königsberg was held in August 1939. No stamps were issued to commemorate this event but there were two Special postcards as well as a Special postmark which marked the occasion.
MICHEL 701
11th NÜRNBERG REICHSPARTEITAG
This stamp was issued on the 25th of August along with a Special postcard both of which were to commemorate the 11th Nuremburg Party Rally. The stamp design is derived from a photograph of Adolf Hitler taken by his official photographer Heinrich Hoffmann. The stamp is identical to the Labour Day stamp issued earlier in the year except that this stamp has an inscription "Reichsparteitag 1939" which is not on the earlier stamp. The rally was planned to run from 2nd to 11th September 1939, however the German invasion of Poland on the 1st of September meant the rally was cancelled, therefore no special postmark was used for this event. Ironically, this rally was to be called the "Peace Rally".
The stamp was engraved on sheets (10x5) on coated, swastika watermarked paper and is Perf 14¼ x 13½.
BREAKING NEWS: 23rd Aug
Germany and Russia sign the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact agreeing to divide Europe between themselves in the event of war.
MICHEL 702 to 713
KAMERADSCHAFTSBLOCK DER DEUTSCHEN REICHSPOST
This series of stamps were introduced to acknowledge the important role played by the German Postal Service employees. The surtax on these stamps was for the postal worker’s fund. As can be seen from several of these stamps the colours and shades can vary quite significantly. There was no special postmark accompanying this issue. These stamps were designed by Axster-Heudtlass and were produced on unwatermarked, coated paper (5x10) and were Perf K 13½ x 14¼.
Mi 704
5+3Pf
darkish yellow emerald green
Vocational Contest for young postal employees
More Details
5+3Pf
darkish yellow emerald green
Vocational Contest for young postal employees
More Details
BREAKING NEWS: 1st Sep
German troops invade Poland whilst the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein bombards a Polish military base outside of Danzig.
BREAKING NEWS: 3rd Sep
After ignoring demands to withdraw her troops from Poland, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany.
MICHEL 714 & 715
REINTEGRATION of DANZIG
Having invaded Polish territory on the 1st of September 1939 the German Army quickly occupied the free city of Danzig (modern day Gdansk). These two stamps issued on 18th September were in celebration of Danzig returning to the Reich. There is quite a large variation in shades for these two stamps.
There was a special 'Liberation Postmark' that exists in black, violet and blue-violet, some of them did actually go tot the postal system but the majority exist as C.T.O (cancelled to order) specimens aimed at stamp collectors. There is another less common postmark that is usually found with a normal city-date cancel. These stamps were produced on coated, swastika watermarked paper (10x5) and were Perf K14.
MICHEL 716 to 729
DANZIG STAMP with
'DEUTSCHES REICH' OVERPRINT
On the 28th of September, following the occupation of Danzig by German forces the 14 existing 'Free City of Danzig' stamps were overprinted with the words 'Deutsches Reich' and a new value in Reich's Pfennig or Reichsmarks was added. These stamps were produced in sheets of 100 for the Rpf values and sheets of 50 for the RM values and all were valid until 31st December 1940. There were 3 postcards that are associated with this issue.
BREAKING NEWS: 8th Oct
Following the Polish surrender, Germany annexes Western Poland whilst Stalin takes the east.
MICHEL 730 to 738
WINTERHILFSWERK
(Winter Relief fund)
This set of stamps and associated postcards were issued on 27th October 1939 and was valid to 30th June 1940. The stamps are Perf K 14 and were produced on sheets (5x10) on unwatermarked paper and also in booklet form. There were also 5 related special postmarks .
WINTERHILFWERK VIGNETTE
(1)
OCTOBER
OCTOBER
FROM MY COLLECTION
(2)
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
FROM MY COLLECTION
(3)
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
FROM MY COLLECTION
(4)
JANUARY
JANUARY
FROM MY COLLECTION
(5)
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
FROM MY COLLECTION
(6)
MARCH
MARCH
FROM MY COLLECTION
MICHEL Z738 & Z739
NEWSPAPER STAMPS
(Zeitungsmarke)
(Paperboy runs across the Globe)
These two 'newspaper stamps' were issued on 1st November 1939 and were valid to the end of the war. They were for the express purpose of sending newspapers to the post from Germany to locations outside of Germany. It was not obligatory to use these stamps when sending newspapers however it was prohibited to use these stamps on regular postal items. These stamps were only available to publishers and newsagents to ensure their proper use. It is rare to find genuine used examples of these stamps on the original newspaper wrappings. The stamps were produced on swastika water-marked paper in sheets (5x10) and were Perf K 14.
