PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1933)

This page was last updated
12-Oct-2022 08:23

NAZI GERMANY
POSTCARDS
DEUTSCHLAND, DEINE KOLONIEN!

One of the most popular postcards issued during the Third Reich era was the following card inscribed 'Deutschland, Deine Kolonien!'. The first card appeared in 1933 and was then issued multiple times with minor changes in the design of both the postcard, and the value stamp. Specific dates are hard to determine so I have collected them all in one place for easier comparison.

The postcard design shows a Reich's Adler (Empire Eagle) standing on a rock with its wings outstretched. Behind the eagle is Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the African plains. Above the eagle and the mountain is a swastika flag blowing in the breeze.

DESIGN TYPES

There are three basic designs to consider. Type 'I' does not have any text below the image on the left-hand pane, Type 'II' has a 2-line inscription below the image and Type 'III' has a 4-line inscription.




Above LEFT: TYPE I (1933 ONWARDS)
Above CENTRE: TYPE II (1938)
Above RIGHT: TYPE III (1938)

TYPE II INSCRIPTION: "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Sammler | Deutscher kolonialpostwertzeichen" - 'Association of collectors | of German colonial postage stamps"
TYPE III INSCRIPTION: "Reichskolonialbund | Drei koloniale Tage | Dresden 1938 | Deutsche Sammlergemeinschaft | kolonial - Breifmarkenschau" - 'Reichskolonialbund | Three colonial days - Dresden 1938 | German collectors' community | colonial - stamp exhibition"

In addition, there is one version that is in black and white.

TYPE I VARIATIONS

There are 9 versions of the Type 'I' postcard and the only difference between them is the value stamp on the top right-hand side of the card.



ABOVE LEFT: PP121-E-1 - 1Pf Hindenburg Medallion
ABOVE CENTRE: PP122-E-3/01 - 3Pf Hindenburg Medallion
ABOVE RIGHT: PP126-E-1/01 - 5Pf Hindenburg Medallion




ABOVE LEFT: PP127-E-1/01 - 6Pf Hindenburg Medallion
ABOVE CENTRE: PP142-E-1/01 - 5Pf Luftpost
ABOVE RIGHT: PP151-E-1/01 - 1Pf Hitler Medallion





ABOVE LEFT: PP152-E-1/01 - 3Pf Hitler Medallion
ABOVE CENTRE: PP155-E-1/01 - 5Pf Hitler Medallion
ABOVE RIGHT: PP156-E-1/01 - 6Pf Hitler Medallion

TYPE II VARIATIONS

There are 8 versions of the Type 'II' postcard and the only difference between them is the value stamp on the top right-hand side of the card.



ABOVE LEFT: PP122-E-3/02 - 3Pf Hindenburg Medallion
ABOVE CENTRE: PP126-E-1/02 - 5Pf Hindenburg Medallion
ABOVE RIGHT: PP127-E-1/02 - 6Pf Hindenburg Medallion




ABOVE LFEFT: PP142-E-1/03 - 5Pf Luftpost
ABOVE CENTRE: PP151-E-1/02 - 1Pf Hitler Medallion
ABOVE RIGHT: PP152-E-1/02 - 3Pf Hitler Medallion




ABOVE LEFT: PP155-E-1/02 - 5Pf Hitler Medallion
ABOVE CENTRE: PP156-E-1/02 6Pf Hitler Medallion

TYPE III VARIATIONS
PP122-C-68

There was only 1 version of the Type 'III' postcard, and it is shown below. This time the card was issued to commemorate the German Colonial Show held in Dresden from 21st Jun to 10th Sep 1939. There were two special postmarks used at the show:

The first is inscribed "DRESDEN A1 | 3 koloniale Tage d.Reichskolonialbundes" and features an outline map of Africa.

The second is inscribed "DRESDEN A1 | Deutsche Kolonial Austellung" and features a German colonial solder on horseback on top of a rock formation.

PP122-E-3/03

This version of the card has a 3Rpf pre-printed stamp and the inscription "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Sammler | Deutscher Kolonialpostwertzeichen" below the image.



ABOVE: PP122-E-3/03

OTHER VARIATIONS

There were also other variations of this design that did not have any pre-printed stamp, a couple of examples follow.



ABOVE LEFT: (1) The same as PP122-C-68 but now without the pre-printed stamp
ABOVE CENTRE: (2) - Type I - Additional text
ABOVE RIGHT: (3) - Type I - Additional text

(2) and (3) Additional text, (one in black the other in blue) is inscribed directly onto the card and reads:

"Werdet Mitglied | im Reichskolonialbund" - 'Become a member | in the Reichskolonialbund'



ABOVE LEFT: (4) - Type I
Additional text

(4) This version was used for the 1939 Exhibition and has a sticker below the image and additional text that reads:

"Deutsche Kolonial=Austellung | Dresden 1939 | 21. Juni bis 10. September" - 'German Colonial Exhibition | Dresden 1939 | June 21st to September 10th'

BLACK AND WHITE VERSION

The final variation is one that exists in black and white and was issued in 1938

OTHER COLONIAL POSTCARDS FROM 1938

REFERENCES:
1. PRIVATPOSTKARTEN KATALOG BAND 1 by HANSPETER FRECH 2003 Edition