GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1943)

This page was last updated
30-Sep-2024 07:32

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 1943 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.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF STAMP FRIENDS
(10th Jan 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr. 21, Page: 725, Number: S 6

This special handstamp was used to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Stamp Friends in TEPLITZ-SCHÖNAU. The inscription reads "50 Jahre | Verein | "Briefmarkenfreunde" | 10.1.1943" - '50 years "Stamp Friends" Club 10.1.1943'. The image is of a fountain bowl and a snake and this cancellation was only used only on 10th Jan 1943 and only on semi-postal stamps.

5th OFFICIAL'S COLLECTION for the KWHW
(7th Feb 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 22, Page: 768, Number: 104

This special handstamp was used in VIENNA on 6th and 7th Feb 1943 to commemorate the 5th Official's Collection for the War Winter Relief Fund.

The handstamp is inscribed "WIEN | SAMMLUNG DER BEAMTENSCHAFT FÜR DAS WHW 1942 | 43 | 7.2.1943 | 5. REICHS STRASSEN-SAMMLUNG" - 'VIENNA | COLLECTION OF OFFICIALS FOR WHW 1942 | 43 | 7.2.1943 | 5. REICH STREET COLLECTION'

The image on the handstamp shows the Town Hall in Vienna.

100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE POST OFFICE
(28th Feb / 31st Mar 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 3, Page: 133, No: S 386
The handstamp below is inscribed "BERLIN O 17 | 100 JAHRE POSTAMT | 1843 - 1943" - 'BERLIN O 17 | 100 YEARS OF POST OFFICE | 1843 - 1943' and was only available from 28th Feb until 31st Mar 1943.



ABOVE: Image kindly provided by Michael Sims

GERMAN-ITALIAN CULTURE DAY
(30th Mar 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 10, Page: 359, Number: S 120

This special cancel was was used to commemorate German-Italian Culture Day and can be found with cancel dates of 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th and 30th Mar 1943. This special cancellation was only to be used on semi-postal stamps, as in the example below.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

METZ
(26th Jun 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 14, Page: 533, Number: 2

The Bochmann catalogue shows that this special cancel was only used in 1940 and 1941, but here it is with a 1943 cancellation. Bochmann also shows this special handstamp exists with either an 'a', 'b' or 'c' counter. The example below has the 'b' counter.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

6th INNSBRUCK SHOOTING COMPETITION
(14th-18th Jul 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 11, Page: 401, Number: S 19



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

VIENNA TRADE FAIR
(27th Dec 1943 / 29th Feb 1944)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 22, Page: 769, Number: S 109

The following special handstamp was used to commemorate the 1943 VIENNA Trade Fair which took place from 27th Dec 1943 until 29th Feb 1944. This is the only special handstamp that was available. The stamp on this example is a Michel 831 from 1943.



REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL