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

BAD TOLZ BRIEFMARKENSCHAU
BAD TOLZ STAMP SHOW
(11th Sep 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 2, Page 74, No. S 4

This special handstamp was used in BAD TOLZ on 10th and 11th Sep 1938 and there is only one version. The inscription reads "BAD TÖLZ | Briefmarkenschau Isaria Wolfratshausen | 11.9.38" - 'BAD TÖLZ | Isaria Wolfratshausen Stamp Show | 9/11/38' and the image is that of the Kalvarienberg church between trees with two swastikas.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

WALDKIRCHEN SUMMER RESORT
(12th Sep 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 21, Page:744, No: 1
The following handstamp was the only special handstamp used in WALDKiRCHEN during the Nazi period, It is inscribed "WALDKIRCHEN (NIEDERBAY) | Sommerfrische im Dreisesseigebeit" -'FOREST CHURCHES (LOWER BAY) | Summer resort in the three-seater area' [Better translation required]. It was used every year from 1938 until 1941 and again from 1946 until 1954. The image on the handstamp is the town of Niederbay at the foot of the mountains.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

HAMBURG POSTAGE STAMP SHOW
(2nd Oct 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 10, Page: 356, No: S87
The handstamp below is inscribed "HAMBURG 36 | Postwertzeichen | schau | "Jugend | stellt aus" | Museum f. Hamb.Geschichte" - 'HAMBURG 36. Postage stamp show "Youth exhibits", Museum for Hamb.History" and was only used at HAMBURG 36 and only on 2nd, 5th, 9th and 16th Oct 1938.



ABOVE: Image kindly provided by Michael Sims

ASSOCIATION FOR STAMP COLLECTORS
(15th/16th Oct 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 7, Page 285, No. S 91

This special handstamp was used to commemorate the Meeting of the Association of Stamp Collectors organised by the Reichsdund der Philatelisten in FRANKFURT from 15th to 16th Oct 1938



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

LEIPZIG D.S.G WERBESCHAU
LEIPZIG D.S.G EXHIBITION
(16th Oct 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

WOCHE DES DEUTSCHEN BUCHES
GERMAN BOOK WEEK
(29th Oct 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

15th ANNIVERSARY of MUNICH PUTSCH
(9th Nov 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

SUDETENFAHRT DER DEUTSCHEN TECHNIK
(24th Nov - 4th Dec 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 21, Page 721, No. S 1

This special cancel was used by a special post office that was on a special German technology exhibition train on its journey from MÜNCHEN through the SUDETENLAND. There is only a single variant and that was used from 24th Nov until 4th Dec 1938. The inscription reads "SONDERPOSTAMT | SUDETENFAHRT | DER DEUTSCHEN | TECHNIK" - 'SPECIAL POSTAL OFFICE | SUDETEN TRIP | OF GERMANS | TECHNOLOGY'



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

BERLINER WEIHNACHTSMARKT
BERLIN CHRISTMAS MARKET
(Dec 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 120, No. S 292

This special handstamp was used to commemorate the 1938 Berlin Christmas Market and was used from 5th to 22nd Dec. The image is that of Santa Claus and there are four counters all from BERLIN C2; counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd'.



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

NÜRNBERG CHRISTKINDLESMARKT
NURNBERG CHRISTMAS MARKET
(Dec 1938)

BOCHMANN: Heft X, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

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

REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL