GERMAN POSTAL HISTORY
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24-Feb-2024 05:36
SPENDE FÜR DIE VDA-SCHULSAMMLUNG 1940
DONATION FOR THE VDA SCHOOL COLLECTION 1940
Most, but not all of these cards, were issued in sets of 6 postcards in a commemorative envelope and all without any pre-printed postage stamp. The first few sets of undated cards, unlike the 1940, 1941 and 1942 cards are not in the least bit propagandist, depicting regional costumes and artistic scenes without the usual Nazi paraphernalia that can be found on many cards from the period after 1933. They do however take on a more militaristic theme as new sets are published. Because of this it is not unusual to find examples of the earlier cards that were postally used after the war had ended, and well into the 1960's.
The 1940 cards are titled "Spende für die VDA-Schulsammlung 1940" - 'Donation for the VDA school collection 1940' and were sold at 20Rpf per card. They are unnumbered so are shown here in no particular order.
1. FÜHRER der DEUTSCHEN JUGEND in RUMÄNIEN
LEADER of the GERMAN YOUTH in ROMANIA
This design was produced by Wilrich in 1939 and features his signature and date in the lower left-hand corner on the front of the card.
2. EIN BEWÄHRIER SPÄHTRUPPFÜHRER
A PROVEN SCOUT LEADER
This postcard is neither signed nor dated by Wilrich.
3. MAJOR KOCH, FALLSCHIRMJAGER
MAJOR KOCH, PARACHUTIST
This card is not signed or dated by Wilrich, but there is an unknown signature in the top right-hand corner on the front of the card.
4. FELDWEBEL ARPKE
SERGEANT ARPKE
This is the first issue of this particular design and it features Wilrich's signature and date on the lower right-hand side of the front of the card.
5. GENERALMAJOR ROMMEL
MAJOR GENERAL ROMMEL
This depiction of Erwin Rommel is unsigned and undated by Wilrich, however it does have Rommel's signaturea along the bottom edge of the card.
6. JUGENDFÜHRER AUS BESSARABIEN
YOUTH LEADER FROM BESSARABIA
This version of the card is unsigned and undated unlike most of Wilrich's other cards.
7. Dr. NEUMANN, EHEMALIGER FÜHRER der MEMELDEUTSCHEN
Dr. NEUMANN, FORMER LEADER of the MEMEL GERMANS
This postcard is undated but bears Wildrich's signature in the top left-hand corner of the front of the card.
8. STUKAFLIEGER
STUKA PILOT
This is the first issue of this postcard being produced in 1940, and bears Wildrich's signature and the date on the left-hand side of the front of the card.
9. MÄDCHEN AUS BESSARABIEN
GIRL FROM BESSARABIA
10. BDM FÜHRERIN AUS KÄRNTEN
BDM LEADER FROM CARINTHIA
This card was originally produced in 1938 and bears Wildrich's signature in the top left-hand corner and the date in the top right-hand corner of the front of the card.
11. FÖRSTERSFRAU AUS DEM BUCHENLAND
FORESTER'S WIFE FROM BUCHENLAND
This card was originally produced in 1939 and bears Wildrich's signature and the date on the right-hand side of the front of the card.
12. KAPITÄNLEUTNANT PRIEN
CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT PRIEN
This card was originally produced in 1939 and bears Wildrich's signature and the date in the top right-hand corner of the front of the card. This card was re-issued several more times in 1940 and 1941.
13. DER PANZERFAHRER
THE TANK DRIVER
This design is neither signed nor dated by Wilrich.
14. FÜHRERIN DER DEUTSCHEN FRAUEN IN RUMÄNIEN
LEADER OF GERMAN WOMEN IN ROMANIA
15. KRADMELDER - EINER PANZER-VORAUSABTEILUNG
MOTORCYCLE RIDER - TANK RECONNAISSANCE
This depiction of a motorcycle rider was signed and dated by Wilrich in 1940.
16. AUFKLÄRUNGSFLIEGER
