GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1938)
This page was last updated
30-May-2023 08:26
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 1938 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.
Jan to Apr 1938 
May to Aug 1938 Sep to Dec 1938
DEUTSCHER SAMMLERSCHAU
GERMAN COLLECTORS' SHOW
(8th/9th Jan 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 8, Page: 343, No. S 13 Only one version of this handstamp was available and it was used in HALLE (SAALE) on 8th and 9th Jan 1938. The image depicted is that of the Handel Memorial, a statue dedicated to composer Georg Friedrich Handel, which is located in the Marketplatz in Halle (Saale).
ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)
TAG DER BRIEFMARKE
THE DAY OF THE STAMP
(8th/9th Jan 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 26, Page 874, No. 24
There was a special handstamp used to commemorate the Day of the Stamp in 1938. The special handstamps were used in 12 towns and cities in 1938 on 8th and 9th Jan.
1. SCHWÄBISCHE POSTWERTZEICHEN AUSSSTELLUNG
1ST SWABIAN POSTAGE STAMP EXHIBITION
(8th - 16th Jan 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 21, Page 713, No. S 69
This special handstamp was used from 8th to 16th Jan 1938 during the 1st Swabian Postage Stamp Exhibition held in STUTTGART.
ABOVE: Special handstamp.
GUBEN BRIEFMARKEN SAMMLERVEREIN 1911
(10th Jan 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 8, Page 337, No. S 9
This special handstamp was used from 8th to 10th Jan 1938 in the town of GUBEN to commemorate the local samp show. The inscription reads "GUBEN | Briefmarken Sammlerverein 1911 | Briefmarkenschau | 8.-10.1.1938" and the image depicts the town's Coat of Arms.
ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp (P)
STRAβENSAMMLUNG DER BEAMTENSCHAFT
CIVIL SERVICE STREET COLLECTION
(15th/16th Jan 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft: 16, Page: 554, No. S 107 The following special handstamp was used in MUNICH only on 15th and 16th Jan 1938. The rather long inscription reads "Straβensammlung der Beamtenschaft des Traditionsgaues München - Oberbayern | Hauptstadt der Bewegung | WHW" - 'Street collection of the civil service of the traditional district of Munich - Upper Bavaria | capital of the movement | WHW'.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)
INTERNATIONALE WINTERSPORTWOCHE
INTERNATIONAL WINTERSPORTS WEEK
(30th Jan 1938)
As in 1937 and in 1939, there were a number of special handstamps used during the International Wintersports Week held in GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN from 21st to 30th Jan 1938. All four special handstamps were only used for the duration of the event and there is only one version of each handstamp.
BOCHMANN: Heft: 8, Page: 305, No. S 12
This first example has an image of an ice hockey player.
BOCHMANN: Heft: 8, Page: 305, No. S 13
This second example has an image of an figure skater.
BOCHMANN: Heft: 8, Page: 305, No. S 14
This third example has an image of an ski jumper.
BOCHMANN: Heft: 8, Page: 305, No. S 15
The fourth and final special cancel features a two-man bobsleigh team.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
NEUKÖLLN BRIEFMARKEN WERBESCHAU
NEUKÖLLN STAMP SHOW
(5th/6th Feb 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft: 3, Page: 116, No: S 256 There is only one version of this handstamp and it was used to commemorate the BERLIN-NEUKÖLLN STAMP SHOW held in BERLIN on 5th and 6th Feb 1938. The inscription reads "Briefmarken - Werbeschau | des B.S.V Neukölln im R.d.P" - 'Stamps - Publicity Show | of the B.S.V Neukölln in the R.d.P'. The image is that of the Neukölln Coat of Arms.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)
1. POSTWERTZEICHEN WERBESCHAU der D.S.G
BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG
(6th Feb 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 116, No. S 257
This special handstamp was only used in BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG and only on the 6th Feb 1938. The inscription reads "1. Postwertzeichen-Werbeschau 6.2.1938 | D.S.G Ortsgruppe | Charlottenburg | 6.2.38 10-19". The image depicts the Coat of Arms of Charlotttenburg, a swastika within a cog, and four other smaller swastikas.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
INT AUTOMOBIL-U.MOTORRAD AUSSTELLUNG
INT'L AUTOMOBILE and MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITION
(18th Feb / 6th Mar 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft: 3, Page: 116, No: S 258 This special cancel was used to commemorate the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition held in Berlin from 17th Feb until 7th Mar 1938. There are three counters 'a', 'b' and 'c', all from BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 5. The 'c' version was expressly for use on Rohrpost mail and has additional hours and minutes data.
ABOVE: Special handstamp counter 'a' (P)
BRIEFMARKENSCHAU der D.S.G
BERLIN-ZEHLENDORF
(13th Mar 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 116, No. 260
The following special handstamp was used in BERLIN-ZEHLENDORF to commemorate the Stamp Show sponsored by the D.S.G (German Collectors' Society) on 13th Mar 1938 only. The image on the stamp is of the Zehlendorf Village Church.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
OSNABRÜCK BRIEFMARKEN AUSSTELLUNG
OSNABRÜCK STAMP EXHIBITION
(27th Mar 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 17, Page 613, No. S 6
Only one special handstamp was used at the Osnabrück Stamp Exhibition held on 26th and 27th Mar 1938. The image is that of Gustav Tweer's flying machine in flight.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
POSTWERTZEICHEN AUSSTELLUNG im ZOO
BERLIN W62
(1st / 3rd Apr 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 117, No. S 263
This special cancel was used from 1st until 3rd Apr 1938 at the Postage Exhibition held at the Berlin Zoo. The handstamp is inscribed "Postwertzeichen-Ausstellung im zoo | L.V. Berlin | 1.-3.4. | 1938 | R.d.P | Philatelisten | zeigen" - 'Postage stamp exhibition in the zoo | LV Berlin | 1.-3.4. | 1938 | RdP | Philatelists | demonstrate'. The image is of an empire eagle with the letters of the R.D.P (Reichsbund der Philatelisten) beneath. There are eight counters to look out for: counters 'a' through 'h'.
ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'b' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'd'
ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'e'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'f'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'g'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'h'
STEINACH (THÜR)
(23rd Apr 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 20, Page 695, No. 3
The following special handstamp is one of only three used in STEINACH (THÜR), however it was used every year from 1938 until 1942, then again from 1946 until 1955. The inscription reads "Weltbekannt | durch Holzspielwaren | und | Schiefergriffel" - 'World famous for Wooden Toys and slate pencils'. The image on the handstamp depicts a dog, a cube pyramid and four slate pencils.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).
5th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AIR DEFENCE LEAGUE
(29th Apr 1938)
BOCHMANN: Heft 16, Page 555, No. S 113
A special handstamp was used only on 29th Apr 1938 to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Air Defence League. The handstamp is inscribed "MÜNCHEN | 1933 - 1938 | 29.4.38 | 5. Jahre | Reichsluftschutzbund"
A special slogan stamp [BOCHMANN Heft 25, Page 830, No. 285], was also used from 29th Apr until 15th Jul 1938 in 35 towns and cities.
ABOVE LEFT: Special 5th Anniversary handstamp (C)
ABOVE RIGHT: Special 5th Anniversary slogan
Jan to Apr 1938 May to Aug 1938 Sep to Dec 1938
REFERENCES:1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
