OFFICIAL POSTCARDS
(1938)
This page was last updated
27-May-2024 07:38
WINTERHILFSWERK
P274/01 to P274/06
(14 Oct 1938 to 21 Feb 1939)
BACKGROUND: The following series of 6 postcards was issued at various stages from 14th Oct 1983 through to 21st Feb 1939 with a valid date up until 30th Jun 1939. 4 Rpf of the proceeds from the sale of each card went towards the Winter Relief Fund.
The cards are labelled from Oct to Mar, with each card representing a different month. Each of the cards depicts a tradesperson going about their work. The official theme of the cards was "flowers from the Ostmarke" and the designs were from prolific artist von Axtler-Heudlass. The design of the cards closely matches the design of the door plaques that were being used during this period.
The pre-printed value stamp features two Eidelweiss flowers and 6 Rpf was for postage whilst the remaining 4 Rpf was donated to the WHW.
Similar sets of six cards with a different theme were also issued in 1939 and again in 1940.
The six cards are as follows:
P274/01: October - Issued 14th Oct 1938
P274/02: November - Issued 18th Nov 1938
P274/03: December - Issued 1st Dec 1938
P274/04: January - Issued 29h Dec 1938
P274/05: February - Issued 1st Feb 1939
P274/06: March - Issued 21st Feb 1939
In addition to the offical cards there were also several examples of privately printed cards as below
OFFICIAL POSTAL STATIONERY
WITH PRIVATE ADDITIONAL PRINTS
All six of the P274 cards were overprinted by the BERLIN K.d.F collector's group 'X' with a "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" text to commemorate their exhibition held on 20th and 21st May 1939. They sold for 15 Rpf each and there was no special cancellation since they never appeared in the Official Gazette or in the official postal bulletins. Used copies, especially for the Oktober issue do exist but they are very difficult to find,
P174 / 01
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
With additional "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" text
2. BLUMBERG & Co. | UNTORF
With destination text "BLUMBERG & Co. | UNTORF" on front, image of whistle on reverse.
3. "DAS WINTERHILFSWERK" TEXT
With additional 18 lines of text beginning "Das Winterhilfswerk"
P174 / 02
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
With additional "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" text
2. "TAG DER | NATIONALEN SOLIDARITAT!"
This card can also be found with a two line additional print in red letterpress text "Tag der | Nationalen Solidaritat!"
3. "DAS WINTERHILFSWERK" TEXT
With additional 18 lines of text beginning "Das Winterhilfswerk"
P174 / 03
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
WHW logo and additional "Ausstellung | >>nach der Arbeit<< | 20.-21.5.1939 | Berlin" text.
2. "EMSDETTEN, OSTERN 1939."
Image of a plant and "Emsdetten, Ostern 1939." and "Heil Hitler! | Ericholz" text.
3. "BLUMBERG & Co. | UNTORF"
Destination text "BLUMBERG & Co. | UNTORF" on front, whistle on reverse.
4. BELL AND OAK LEAVES
Reverse with green image of a bell and oak leaves and 4 lines of text.
P174 / 04
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
With additional "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" text
P174 / 05
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
With additional "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" text
P174 / 06
1. "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN"
With additional "AUSSTELLUNG >>nach der Arbeit<< 20.-21.5.1939 BERLIN" 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
