NAZI GERMANY
GERMAN GYMNASTICS FESTIVAL
STUTTGART
(22nd/30th Jul 1933)

There were at least a dozen commemorative cards published for the Stuttgart Gymnastics Festival held between 22nd and 30th Jul 1933 that did not have pre-ptrinted stamps (in addition to the printed-to-private-order postcards).

The patron for the event was President Paul von Hindenburg and an estimated 600,000 people attended the competitions at the newly renamed 'Adolf Hitler Arena'. 120,000 people actively participated in the events and this was the occasion of one of Hitler's first mass propaganda addresses. Hitler only attended the festival on the last day, together with Vice Chancellor Franz von Papen, Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath, and head of propaganda Joseph Goebbels. Stuttgart was chosen as the venue as early as 1918 and the event was held once every 5 years.

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GYMNAST ON PLINTH

This first card depicts a gymnast standing on a plinth inscribed "15. Deutsches Turnfest 1933 in Stuttgart". The gymnast is waving a large flag featuring the Swastika and the festival emblem.

GYMNAST ON PLINTH

MAN WITH BEARD

There were at least five different versions of this card that features a popular view or building in Stuttgart, as well as 'Turnvater Jahn'. This first card features the Königsbau (The King's Building) in Stuttgart, built by King Wilhelm I, the king of Württemburg (1781-1864). Today the building is a shopping centre.