OFFICIAL POSTCARDS
(1938)
This page was last updated
23-Feb-2025 02:14
MICHEL P268
OFFICIAL POSTCARD
ANNEXATION of AUSTRIA
VALIDITY: This card was valid for use from 8th Apr 1938 until 31st Dec 1938 and 580,000 were printed.
BACKGROUND: This Official postcard was issued on 8th Apr 1938 and was intended to commemorate the vote on the Anschluss (Union) with Austria. The original vote was scheduled for 13th Mar, but the German army invaded the day before and the vote was delayed until 10th Apr. The reverse of the card features a pre-printed 6 Rpf stamp with a German and an Austrian standing together like friends and bearing a swastika flag . The front of the card has a map of Greater Germany (including Austria) with Hitler's portrait in the centre.
SPECIAL CANCEL: A special slogan cancel was available in various cities inscribed "Am 10.April dem Führer dein Ya" - 'On April 10th give the leader your Yes', a message encouraging Austrians to vote for the Anschluss. In addition, a handstamp inscribed "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - 'One People, One Empire, One Leader' was widely used.
As well as the official card there were several official cards with additional private printing. There is also another version with a double print in gold on the picture side.
MICHEL P268
OFFICIAL POSTCARD
WITH PRIVATE ADDITIONAL PRINTS
SUDETENLAND IST FREI
1: Reverse side with Swastika and text "Sudetenland ist frei"
SUDETENLAND DRAWN IN RED
2: Reverse side with Sudetenland drawn in red and 5 place names with text.
MAIN REFERENCE SOURCES
1. MICHEL GANZSACHEN DEUTSCHLAND 2018. ISBN: 978-3-95402-225-02. BOREK GANZSACHEN-SPEZIAL-KATALOG DEUTSCHLAND ab 1933. ISBN: 3-87091-060-7
3. MICHEL BILDPOSTKARTEN- UND MOTIVGANSACHEN KATALOG DEUTSCHLAND 1997. ISBN: 3-87858-631-0
4. GANZSACHEN-HANDBUCH DES "DITTEN REICHES" 1933-1945 by FRECH. ISBN: UNKNOWN
