GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1936)
This page was last updated
22-Jul-2023 02:59
NOTE: This page contains details of special postmarks that are NOT directly related to official stamps issued in 1935. For special postmarks that are related directly to the issue of commemorative stamps look here
INTRODUCTION:
The study of the various postmarks and cancellations used in 1936 is a difficult one due to the limited information available. Fortunately, we have the BOCHMANN catalogue to assist in identifying most of them. Whilst the catalogue covers most special cancellations and is a required source for this area of study, the information provided is limited and does not put the various postmarks and cancellations into context. The Bochmann catalogue forms the basis of this page, but I have provided additional information where possible. My apologies now for any errors and the inevitable omissions.
1. TAG DER BRIEFMARKE
1st DAY OF THE STAMP
(7th Jan 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 103, No. S178
There was a special handstamp used to commemorate the Day of the Stamp in 1936 used in various towns and cities on 7th Jan 1937.
The following special handstamp was used in BERLIN W62 on 7th Jan 1936. The inscription reads "BERLIN W62 | 1. Tag | der Briefmarke | 7.1.36. 19-23 | Gründungstag | des Reichsverbandes der Philatelisten" - 'BERLIN W62 | Day 1 | of the postage stamp | 7.1.36. 19-23 | foundation day | of the Reich Association of Philatelists'. There is only one version of this handstamp.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
HAUSBRIEFKÄSTEN
BOCHMANN: Heft 25, Page 810, No. 92This slogan cancellation is inscribed "HAUSBRIEFKÄSTEN | IM ERDGESCHOSS | BESCHLEU= | NIGEN DIE | ZUSTELLUNG" - 'HOME MAILBOXES ON THE GROUND FLOOR ACCELERATE THE DELIVERY'. This slogan was used in MUNICH and NÜRNBERG from 11th May 1929 and every year thereafter until 1938. There is another version of this slogan used in 11 cities where the word ERDGESCHLOSS is spelt ERDGESCHLOβ. This second version was used in 1936, 1937, 1938 and again in 1952 and 1953.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp used in MUNICH.
LEIPZIGER MESSE
LEIPZIG SPRING FAIR
(1st - 9th Mar 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft X, Page XXX, No. X
ABOVE: Special Handstamp.
DEINE STIMME DEM FÜHRER!
VOTE FOR YOUR FÜHRER
(24th Mar 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 25, Page: 822, Number: 204
The following handstamp has a special handstamp calling on the people to vote for the Führer, Adolf Hitler. The slogan is inscribed "DEINE STIMME DEM FÜHRER!" - 'VOTE FOR YOUR FÜHRER' and this example was used in BERLIN on 24th Mar 1936. A total of 134 towns and cities used this slogan cancel from 21st to 31st Mar 1936 and it exists in four different variations.
The vote in question was the parliamentary elections of 29th Mar 1936 when voters were asked whether they approved of the military occupation of the Rhineland and a vote for a single party Reichstag made up only of Nazis Party officials. An estimated 98.8% voted yes.
DEINE STIMME DEM FÜHRER!
VOTE FOR THE LEADER!
(21st/31st Mar 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 25, Page 822, No. 204
This special slogan cancellation was used in 134 towns and cities from 21st to 31st Mar 1936. It exists in several different types including Types 'A', 'C', 'G' and 'Bd'.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp on cover (C).
42. DEUTSCHER PHILATELISTENTAG
42nd GERMAN PHILATELISTS DAY
(7th Jun 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 13, Page 461, No. S1
Only one unique special handstamp was ever issued in LAUENSTEIN (OBERFR) and this can be seen below. It was used from 6th to 8th Jun 1936 during the 42nd German Philatelists Day, sponsored by the R.d.P in LAUENSTEIN. This cancel can be found in either black or violet ink.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
RHEINISCHE BRIEFMARKEN AUSSTELLUNG
RHEINISH STAMP EXHIBITION
(20th Jun 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 5, Page 243, No. S40
The next special handstamp was issued in DÜSSELDORF and was used from 20th to 22nd Jun 1936 during the Rheinische Stamp Exhibition. The image is the Düsseldorfer Radschläger. The Düsseldorfer Radschläger is a landmark of the city of DÜSSELDORF. The cartwheels of the children is considered the oldest tradition in the city and it can be found on many souvenirs, however the origin of the symbol is somewhat debateable.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
AUSSTELLUNG DEUTSCHE WOHNKULTUR
EXHIBITION GERMAN LIVING CULTURE
(20th - 28th Jun 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 8, Page 326, No. 5
Inscribed "Ausstellung | Deutsche | Wohnkultur | 20.-28.Juni" this slogan stamp was used from 20th to 28th Jun 1936. Only one version of the slogan was available in GÖTTINGEN.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
HOCHLAND LAGER
HOCHLAND HITLER YOUTH CAMP
(6th Jul/22nd Aug 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 11, Page: 442, Number: S 1 to S 6.
This special cancellation was used during the HOCHLAND HITLER YOUTH CAMP held in KÖNIGSDORF every year from 1936 until 1939. The 1936 version is a roller stamp inscribed "Hochland= | Lager | 1936" with a CDS inscribed "SONDERPOSTAMT KÖNIGSDORF | BAD TÖLZ". The slogan was used from 6th Jul until 22nd Aug 1936.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp. Example on cover
WELTKEGLERTURNIER 1936
WORLD BOWLING TOURNAMENT
(22nd Jul 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page: 107, Number: S 195. There is only one version of this special handstamp and it is inscribed "BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 5 | Welt- | Keglerturnier | 1936". The handstamp was only used from 21st to 26th Jul 1936.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp. Example on cover
KÖNIGSBERG DEUTSCHE OSTMESSE
KÖNIGSBERG EASTERN FAIR
(26th Aug 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 11, Page 440, No. 5
This is one of a number of very similar special cancels used during the 1930's and 40's to commemorate the East German Fair held in KÖNIGSBERG. This version below was used in 1936 and 1937 and BOCHMANN states that the 1936 example has no symbol, whereas the 1937 version has a '*'. The example below was used in 1936 and has the '*' so this appears to be an error in the catalog. 1936 usage was from 22nd until 27th Aug.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
13. GROβE DEUTSCHE RUNDFUNK AUSSTELLUNG
13th GREATER GERMAN BROADCASTING EXHIBITION
(1st Sep 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 107, No. S198
The 13th Greater German Broadcasting Exhibition held in BERLIN was commemorated with the special handstamp below. The handstamp was used from 27th Aug until 7th Sep 1936 and exists with both an 'a' and a 'b' counter from CHARLOTTENBURG.
ABOVE LEFT: Special Handstamp Counter 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special Handstamp Counter 'b' (P).
AUSSTELLUNG "BAUER AM WERK"
FARMERS at WORK EXHIBITION
(1st Sep 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 17, Page 610, No. S4
Used from 29th Aug until 6th Sep 1936 this special handstamp was created to commemorate the 'Farmers at Work Exhibition' which took place in the town of OLDENBURG during that week. There is only one versions of this handstamp.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
3. POSTWERTZEICHEN AUSSTELLUNG
3rd POSTMARK EXHIBITION
(4th Sep 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 107, No. S199
Only a single special handstamp was used to commemorate the III Postmark Exhibition of the Neuköllner Philatelists Club held from 4th to 6th Sep 1936. This handstamp was available throughout the exhibition.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
HARTHA FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURER
(21st Sep 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 10, Page 373, No. 3
The following special handstamp was one of only four special handstamps used in HARTHA. This cancel is inscribed "HARTHA | Alteingesessene Filz- | und Scuhwaren | Herstellung" - 'HARTHA | Long-established felt | and Footwear | manufacturing'. This design was used every year from 1936 until 1941.
The town of Hartha, located in the district of Mittelsachsen in Saxony, was built around the manufacture of shoes, textiles and food until 1945 when the dominant industries became textile machinery manufacture, vehicle parts and electrical engineering.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
75. JAHRE BERGEDORFER BRIEFMARKEN
75 YEARS of BERGEDORF STAMPS
(25th Sep 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 2, Page 86, No. S1
This special handstamp was used to mark the 75th Anniversary of the issue of the first BERGEDORF postage stamps. It was used from 25th to 27th Sep and from 3rd to 4th Oct 1936. The somewhat complicated design features one half of the coat of arms of Lübeck and one half that of Hamburg as well as a small post horn.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
'MARCH POST' EXCURSION
(10th - 13th Oct 1936)
In Oct 1936 six hundred and fifty selected members of the Hessen-Nassau Nazi Party were involved in the annual 'March'. The coach tour began in Frankfurt Main on 8th Oct and took a circular route through DARMSTADT, WORMS, OPPENHEIM, then on board the steamer 'Rheinland' through MAINZ to KAUB. From KAUB it was back on the coach through WIESBADEN and RUSSELSHEIM with arrival back at FRANKFURT MAIN on 13th Oct.
Nazi Party members who took part in the tour had their mail stamped with the special handstamp below, and the mail was then forwarded to FRANKFURT MAIN for onward delivery.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (C). Example on cover
3. BRIEFMARKEN AUSSTELLUNG
3rd STAMP EXHIBITION
(18th Oct 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 16, Page 568, No. S11
MÜNSTER (WESTF) was the venue for the 1936, 3rd Stamp Exhibition. This special handstamp was used from 16th to 19th Oct 1936 and depicts the Münster Town Hall. There is only one version of his handstamp. The townhall was completely destroyed by Allied bombing on 28th Oct 1944. Reconstruction began in 1950 and was completed on 30th Oct 1958.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
AIRMAIL SAVES TIME
(19th Oct 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 25, Page: 821, Number: 196
The following special handstamp was used to inform the public that airmail is a faster way to send their mail. The inscription reads "Luftpost bringt Zeitgewinn" - 'Airmail saves time' and features an airplane, Clouds and the frame of a letter.
This handstamp exists in three variants: Type A, B and C, and was used in 18 towns and cities from 28th Jan 1936 and then every other year up until 1944.
ABOVE: Type A version used in BERLIN
GERMAN COURT OF JUSTICE FOUNDATION STONE
(21st Oct 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 16, Page 553, No. S88
The laying of the foundation stone for the German Court of Justice in MUNICH saw the use of a single special handstamp used on 23rd and 24th Oct 1936. The cancel is inscribed "MÜNCHEN | hauptstadt der Bewegung | Grundsteinlegung | des hauses des Deutschen Rechts | 24.10.36" - 'MUNICH | capital of the movement | Ground breaking ceremony | of the House of German Law | 10/24/36'
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (C).
1. BERLINER LUFTPOST WERBESCHAU
1st BERLIN AIRMAIL ADVERTISING SHOW
(1st Nov 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 108, No. S204
Only a single special handstamp was used in BERLIN-SCHONEBERG 1 on 1st Nov 1936 to commemorate the 1st Berlin Airmail Show. The image on the handstamp depicts Otto Lilienthal attempting to fly a glider. Lilienthal was probably the first person to repeatedly carry out successful glider flights, thereby proving the priniciple of heavier than air flight. He died on 10th Aug 1896 in BERLIN.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (P).
FOOTBALL MATCH - GERMANY Vs ITALY
(15th Nov 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 108, No. S205 and S206
Two special handstamps were used to commemorate the football match between Germany and Italy held at the Reichssportfeld on 15th Nov 1936.
S205: BERLIN-REICHSSPORTFELD inscription and either an 'a', 'b' or 'c' counter.
S206: CHARLOTTENBURG 5 with either an 'a' or 'd' counter and measuring 28mm in diameter. This handstamp was used for the first time for this match on 11/15/36 and then continuously for all major events held at the Reichssportfeld. (see also S209)
ABOVE LEFT: S205 Handstamp with counter 'a' (P).
ABOVE CENTRE: S205 Handstamp with counter 'b'
ABOVE RIGHT: S205 Handstamp with counter 'c'
ABOVE LEFT: S206 Handstamp with counter 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: S206 Handstamp with counter 'd'
WIESBADEN SPA & HEALTH RESORT
(27th Nov 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 22, Page 772, No. 34 and 37
Two special slogan cancels were used to advertise the health spas in WIESBADEN. Inscribed "WIESBADEN | Uralte heilkraft | Ewig Junge | Schönheit. Gegen Rheuma u. Gicht" - 'WIESBADEN Ancient healing power Eternally young beauty. Against rheumatism and ghout'
S34: Used in 1936 with either '* 1 a' inscription Type A cancel, or a '* 1 C' inscription Type B cancel.
S37: This is the more commno version and exists as Type A "* 1 a", "1 a", "1 b" or Type B "* 1 C", "1/a". This version was used every year from 1936 until 1943.
ABOVE LEFT: S34 Type A (slogan on left) inscribed '* 1 a'
ABOVE RIGHT: S34 Type B (slogan on right) inscribed '* 1 C"
ABOVE LEFT: S37 Type A (slogan on left) inscribed "* 1 a"
ABOVE CENTRE: S37 Type A (slogan on left) inscribed "a" (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: S37 Type A (slogan on left) inscribed "b"
ABOVE LEFT: S37 Type B (slogan on right) inscribed "* 1 C"
ABOVE RIGHT: S37 Type B (slogan on right) inscribed "a"
GROSSRÖHRSDORF HEADQUARTERS of the TAPE INDUSTRY
(8th Dec 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft 8, Page 334, No. 2
The following special handstamp was one of only 3 used in the town of GROSSRÖHRSDORF. This one was used every year from 1935 until 1939 and is very similar to another special handstamp (BOCHMANN No 3), used every year from 1940 until 1943 but with an additional "Obrlausitz" inscription. There is only one version of this particular handstamp.
ABOVE: Special Handstamp (C).
BERLINER WEIHNACHTSMARKT
BERLIN CHRISTMAS MARKET
(11th Dec 1936)
BOCHMANN: Heft X, Page XXX, No. X
ABOVE: Special Handstamp.
REFERENCES:1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
