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

EICHICHT (SAALE)
GATEWAY TO THE SAALE DAM
(3rd May 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 5, Page 249, No. 1

The following special handstamp used in EICHICHT is the first of only 3 special handstamps used in that town. The inscription reads "EICHICHT (SAALE) | Ausgangspunkt zur | Hohenwarte = | Saaletalsperre" - 'EICHICHT (SAALE) | Gateway to the Hohenwart Saale dam'. The image features a Buildings above treetops. This handstamp was used each year from 1938 until 1941. There is another almost identical handstamp [BOCHMANN: Heft 5, Page 249, No.2], which was used in 1944 but does not have the last line of text.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).

HEIDENHEIM
SCHLOΒ HELLENSTEIN
(5th May 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 10, Page 578, No. 5

The following special handstamp was used each year from 1938 until 1941 in HEIDENHEIM (BRENZ) and is inscribed "Weltbekannte Industriewerk, Naturtheater" - 'World-renowned industrial plant, natural theater', and features an image of Schloβ Hellenstein (Hellenstein Castle), which stands on the hills above the city of Heidenheim an der Brenz in Baden-Württemberg.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).

TAG DER DEUTSCHEN KUNST
THE DAY OF GERMAN ART
(15th May - 10th Jul 1938)

Handstamp: BOCHMANN: Heft 16, Page 554, No. S 116
Slogan: BOCHMANN: Heft 25, Page 830, No. 286

The Day of German Art 1938 saw the use of both a special handstamp and a slogan cancellation. The special handstamp was used from 8th to 10th Jul 1938 (During the exhibition) and there are seven different versions: without a counter, 'UB', 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd' and 'e'.

The slogan stamp was used from 15th May until 10th Jul 1938 (although the exhibition only ran from 8th to 10th Jul in Munich). The inscription reads "Tag der | Deutschen | Kunst | zu München vom | 8.-10.Juli 1938 | 1938", and the image is that of Pallas Athena. This slogan was used in the following 6 cities: BERLIN, BRESLAU, HAMBURG, KÖLN, MÜNCHEN and STUTTGART.



ABOVE LEFT: Without a counter
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: counter 'UB'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: Counter 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: Counter 'b'



ABOVE LEFT: Counter 'c'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: Counter 'd'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: Counter 'e'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special slogan cancellation

FUβBALLSPIEL ASTON VILLA F.C.
ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB
(15th May 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 117, No. S 270
This special handstamp was used to commemorate the football match between English club Aston Villa and a German select eleven. It was only used on the day after the match, 15th May 1938, but does exist with one of 5 counters: 'a' to 'e', all stamped in CHARLOTTTENBURG 5.

Aston Villa won the match 6-3 in front of 110,000 mostly German fans in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The match is mostly remembered for the English team giving the Nazi salute during the playing of the German National Anthem and the Horst Wessel Song. More details here



ABOVE: Special handstamp with 'a' counter (C).

INTERNATIONALE HANDWERKS AUSSTELLUNG
(28th May - 10th Jul 1938)

Handstamp: BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 118, No. S 272
Handstamp: BOCHMANN: Heft 25, Page 830, No. S 289

This special handstamp was used in BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG from 28th May until 10th Jul 1938. There are three counters: 'a', 'b' and 'c' and the inscription reads "Internationale | Handwerks | Ausstellung | Berlin 28.5.-10.7.". The image is of a Guild master in traditional costume. The 'c' counter was used for pneumatic post and has additional minutes and seconds information not found on cancels 'a' and 'b'.

In addition to the special handstamp there was also a slogan cancel inscribed "INTERNATIONALE | HANDWERKS | AUSSTELLUNG | BERLIN 198 | 28.MAI-10.JULI". The slogan was used in BERLIN, FRANKFURT MAIN, HAMBURG, KÖLN and MÜNCHEN from 21st May until 29th Jun 1938.



ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp Counter (a)
ABOVE CENTRE: Special handstamp Counter (b) (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp Counter (c)



ABOVE: Special slogan cancel

1. POSTWERTZEICHENSCHAU der D.S.G
(28th May - 13th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 22, Page 800, No. S 19

This special handstamp was used in ZWICKAU (SACHS) from 28th May until 13th Jun 1938 to commemorate the Postage Stamp Show sponsored by the D.S.G (Deutsche Sammler Gruppe - German Collectors Group) held in ZWICKAU. This is the only special cancel used at the event and it depicts the Marienkirche and two swastikas. Examples of this handstamp can be found in black, violet and red ink.



ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp (Black) (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Special handstamp (Violet)
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp (Red))

MEININGEN SÜDTHÜRINGER SCHAFFEN AUSSTELLUNG
(3rd to 12th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 14, Page 530, No. 1

The inscription on the handstamp shows that the South Thuringer Work Exhibition ran from 3rd to 12th Jun 1938 but this special handstamp was used from 1st to 12th Jun 1938. There is only one version and it depicts the Meininger Theatre.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

HAMBURG
K.d.F CONFERENCE
9th to 12th Jun 1938

BOCHMANN: Heft 10, Page 355, No. S 85

Official postcards P246 and P247 were issued in Jun 1938 to commemorate the K.d.F Strength through Joy conference held in Hamburg. A special handstamp was available from 9th to 12th Jun 1938 inscribed "HAMBURG 36 | Hamburg 1938 | Reichstagung "Kraft durch Freude"" and featuring an image of the Wilhelm Gustloff.

There were two types in use: Type 1. With third wave under the bow in three parts and without a dot behind '1938' and Type II, third wave under the bow in two parts and '1938' with a dot. (BOCHMANN Heft Nr 10, Page 355, Nr S 85).



ABOVE LEFT: Type I
ABOVE RIGHT: Type II

44. DEUTSCHER PHILATELISTENTAG - BREMEN
(11th/12th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 4, Page 171, No. S 27 and S 28

There were two special handstamps used to commemorate the 44th German Philatelists Day held in BREMEN in 1938.

S 27: Inscribed "Reichsbund der Philatelisten e/V - 44. Deutscher Philatelistentag | 11.-12.6.1938 | R.d.P | 11.6.38( or 12.6.38)" and featuring an eagle with the initials 'R.d.P' below and a swastika aither side. Used o 11th and 12th June 1938.

S 28: Inscribed "Schiffspost Bremen Bremerhaven" around the outside and "44. | Deutscher | Philatelistentag | MS >OCEANA< | 13.6.38", in the centre, used only on 13th Jun and without an image.



ABOVE LEFT: S 27 dated 11.6.38 (C)
ABOVE CENTRE: S 27 dated 12.6.38 (C)
ABOVE RIGHT: S 28 dated 13.6.38 (C)

DOPPEL DER ANSCHRIFT EINLEGEN
DOUBLE ADDRESS INSERT
(13th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft X, Page XX, No. XX. This version does not appear to be listed in BOCHMANN but a similar cancellation was used in BRESLAU and NÜRNBERG from 21st May 1940.

This handstamp is inscribed "In Jedes | POSTPAKET Ein | DOPPEL DER ANSCHRIFT | EINLEGEN" - ' Into each | POSTAL PACKAGE A | DOUBLE THE ADDRESS | INSERT'.



ABOVE: Special handstamp MÜNCHEN counter 'a' (C).

WEITBEKANNT DURCH SEINENMARKT
LEBACH - WELL-KNOWN MARKET
(17th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 13, Page 462, No. 2
Only three special handstamps were used in LEBACH during the Nazi peiord, all very similar to this one but used in different years. This version is simply inscribed "LEBACH (SAAR) | Weitbekannt | Seinen Markt" - 'LEBACH (SAAR), Widely Known market'. There are two versions of this handstamp used from 1936 until 1939, the first with two "*" (see below), and the second without any '*'



ABOVE: Special handstamp '**' version (C)

FRANKENTAG AUF DEM HESSELBERG
HOLY MOUNTAIN of the FRANKS
(25th Jun 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 21, Page 748, No. 1
This special handstamp commemorates the annual Franconian Days gathering on the Hesselberg Mountain, which was a Nazi Party rally organised by Franconian leader Julius Streicher. Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering visited, as did up to 100,000 other Nazi Party members.

During the Nazi period this was the only special handstamp issued in WASSERTRÜDINGEN, and it was used every year from 1936 until 1939 on the following dates:

1936: 20th and 21st Jun
1937: 19th and 20th Jun
1938: 25th and 26th Jun
1939: 24th and 25th Jun



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

PRIES VON NÜRNBERG MOTORRADRENNEN
NÜRNBERG PRIZE FOR MOTORCYCLE RACING
(3rd Jul 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 16, Page 595, No. S 60

This special handstamp is inscribed "Pries von Nürnberg | Motorradrennen | Die Stadt der Reichsparteitag" - 'The Nurnberg Prize for Motorcycle Racing in The city of the Nazi Party Congress'. The handstamp was used in 1938 on 3rd Jul and again in 1939 from 16th to 18th Jun. There is only one version of this handstamp.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

600 JAHRFEIER BRIEFMARKENSCHAU
SCHMÖLLN
(12th Jul 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 20, Page 670, No. 1

Only three special handstamps were used in SCHMÖLLN (THÜR) (before 1948), and this is the first one, which commemorates the stamp show that was part of the 600th Anniversary celebrations in the city. It was used from 9th until 17th Jul 1938 and the design features the city's Coat of Arms.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

SAXONY AT WORK EXHIBITION
(17th Jun - 25th Sep 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 5, Page 232, No. S 85

This special handstamp was used to commemorate the Special show 'The Saxon stamp' organised by the K.d.F and held in DRESDEN. It was used from 17th Jun until 25th Sep 1938. The lengthy inscription reads ""Heimat Sachsen" | Deutsche Sammler-Gem. d. NSG. Kraft durch Freude | Sonderschau "Die sächsische Briefmarke"" - 'Homeland Saxony | German collector's Society. NSG. Strength through Joy | Special show "The Saxon stamp"", and features an early issue 3 Pfennig SACHSEN stamp.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

34. SCHWABISCHES LIEDERFEST
34th SWABIAN SONG FESTIVAL
(8th/11th Jul 1938)

Published to commemorate the 34th Swabian Song festival held in Stuttgart from 8th to 11th Jul 1938 BOCHMANN: Heft 21, Page 713, No. 71
This Type 'A' cancellation exists with one of four counters: 'c', 'd', 'f' and 'g'. The inscription reads "34. Allgem. Liederfest | des Schwäbischen | Sängerbundes | Stuttgart 8.-11.7.38" - '34. General Song Festival | of Swabian | Singers Association | Stuttgart 8-11.7.38'.



ABOVE: Special handstamp counter 'd' (P)

SA SPORTS DAY
(12th Jul 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 118, No. S 275

This special cancel is one of a number used to mark the SA Sports Games which took place at several towns during 1938. Each of the towns used a special cancel, only on the day that the games took place. This handstamp is inscribed "Reichswettkampfe der SA 1938 | SA | 15.-17.Juli." and there were four counters" 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd'. The BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG cancels were used from 15th to 17th Jul 1938.

The 'd' stamp was used to cancel pneumatic mail and has additional minutes and seconds information.



ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'b'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'd'

In addition to the special handstamps there was also the slogan cancel shown below. [BOCHMANN: Heft 25, Page 830, No. 290]. This exists as both a Type 'A' and a Type 'C'. The slogan was used from 30th Jun until 17th Jul 1938 in BERLIN, BIELEFELD, BRAUNSCHWEIG, FRANKFURT MAIN, HAMBURG, MAGDEBURG and NÜRNBERG.



ABOVE LEFT: Type 'A' Slogan postmark
ABOVE RIGHT: Type 'C' Slogan postmark

250 JAHR FRIER der WEIBER u. SCHORNDORF
250 YEARS of FREEDOM
(16th/17th Jul 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 20, Page 673, No. 8

Inscribed "SCHORNDORF (WÜRTT) | 250 Jahr feier der | Weiber v. Schorndorf | am 16./17.Juli 1938" - 'SCHORNDORF (WUERTT) | 250 year celebration of | women v. Schorndorf | on July 16/17, 1938', this special hanstamp commemorates 250 years of the women of the city. The image is that of 'Frau Bürgermeister Walch', Major Walch in 1688. You can read more about the major here.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).

15th GREATER GERMANY RADIO EXHIBITION
(5th - 21st Aug 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 118, No. S 278

This special handstamp was used from 5th to 21st Aug 1938 and advertises the 15th Annual Greater German Broadcasting Exhibition held in BERLIN. The inscription reads "BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG | 15. Groβe Deutsche | Rundfunkausstellung | Berlin 1938 | 5.-21.8."

The 'c' counter was used to cancel pneumatic post and so has additional minutes and seconds information not found on 'a' or 'b' counters.



ABOVE LEFT: Counter 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Counter 'b' (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Counter 'c'

In addition to the special handstamps there was also a slogan cancel [BOCHMNN: Heft 25, Page 831, No. 296] which can be seen below. This slogan was used from 21st Jul until 21st Aug 1938 in 28 different cities.



ABOVE: Slogan cancel (P)

BURGSTÄDT
(15th Aug 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 4, Page 186, No. S 1

This is the first of two special handstamps used in BURGSTÄDT, both related to the Festival at the Taurastein. The first was used in 1937 (14th to 16th Aug), 1938 (13th to 15th Aug) and again in 1939 (12th to 14th Aug). The second handstamp was used in 1950 and 1951. The image on the handstamp shows the Viewing tower of the Taurastein.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).

DEUTSCHE DAHLIENSCHAU
GERMAN DAHLIA SHOW
(21th Aug 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 13, Page 499, No. 13, 14 and S 15.

This special handstamp was used to advertise the German Dahlia Show, a horticultural event, held in LIEGNITZ from Aug to Sep 1938. There were three different handstamps available:

13: Inscripbed "Besucht Liegnitz | Aug.-Sept.1938 | Deutsche | Dahlienschau" and featuring a Dahlia flower.

14: inscribed "Deutsche Dahlienschau | Aug.1938 Sept", also with a Dahlia flower image. There are three versions of this handstamp with either '-', '. - .' or 'o - o'.

S 15: Inscribed simply "Deutsche Dahlienschau 1938", again featuring a Dahlia flower. Used from 20th Aug until 18th Sep.



ABOVE LEFT: 13.
ABOVE CENTRE: 14
ABOVE RIGHT: S 15 (P)

V. INTERNATIONALE PRÜFUNGS UND TREUHAND KONGRESS
5th INTERNATIONAL AUDIT AND TRUST CONGRESS
(21th Aug 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 119, No. S 285

This special handstamp is inscribed "V. Internationaler Prufungs- und Treuhand-Kongreβ | 1938 | Berlin". It was used from 17th until 23rd Sep 1938 and only as a single handstamp from BERLIN NW40.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P).

Jan to Apr 1938 May to Aug 1938 Sep to Dec 1938

REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL