PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1933)

This page was last updated
12-Oct-2024 04:30

THE RISE TO POWER
(Jan 1933)

On 30th Jan 1933 Hitler was inaugurated as the Chancellor of Germany, and this occasion was marked by the publication of a number of postcards. Several of them were similar to the one below where Hitler's portrait is seen alongside that of Friedrich the Great, Otto von Bismarck and President Hindenburg. The message was clear: Hitler was part of a long line of Great Germans and deserved to stand alongside Germany's greatest heroes.

This was the first time a Nazi had attained a position of real power, so they wanted to align themselves with popular figures from Germany's past. For a fledgling party, newly thrust into the limelight, it was a way of gaining legitimacy with the German people.

Click here for more examples of these postcards.

NEW REICHSTAG - POTSDAM
(Mar/Apr 1933)

In addition to the official P248 postcard there were numerous other propaganda postcards issued to mark this occasion.

Click here for more cards published to commemorate the occasion.



The front of this postcard shows Adolf Hitler bowing to Hindenburg during the ceremony at the Garnifon Church in Potsdam.
The reverse shows the postcard is Nr 173 from the Rex-Verlag printers in Potsdam.

GERMAN AIR SPORTS COMPETITION - ESSEN
(11th to 26th Mar 1933)

This propaganda postcard was issued to commemorate the German Air Sports Competition held in ESSEN from 11th to 26th Mar 1933.

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CONNECT THE PAST WITH THE GERMAN NATION
(12th Mar 1933)

This propaganda postcard was issued in Mar 1933 to show the connection of the Nazi's with the glorious past. The text reads "These flags connect the glorious past of the German Empire and the strong rural birth of the German nation. Together, they want to overcome the power of the state and the inner unity of all national forces of the German people".

Click here for more cards published to commemorate the occasion.

BERLIN MARKOPOSTA EXHIBITION
PP106-C-15 & PP126-C-1
(1st/2nd Apr 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the Postage stamp exhibition by the Mars-Berlin Association and the Association of Collectors of German Colonial Stamps, held at the Berlin Zoological Gardens on 1st and 2nd Apr 1933.

There are two versions of the 3Rpf card, both with pre-printed 3Rpf Ebert stamps but one inscribed "Drucksache" (PP106-C-15/01) and the other inscribed "Postkarte" (PP106-C-15/02). In addition, there was also a 5Rpf Hindenburg Medallion version (PP126-C-1).

Please click here for more details.




LEFT: PP106-C-15/01: 3Rpf EBERT: Inscribed "Drucksache"
RIGHT: PP126-C-1: 5Rpf HINDENBURG

DEUTSCHE WOCHE IN KÖLN
GERMAN WEEK IN COLOGNE
(22nd/30th Apr 1933)

The postcard below was used in the city of COLOGNE to commemorate German Week from 22nd to 30th Apr 1933

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WHOEVER WANTS TO LIVE
(24th Apr 1933)

This propaganda postcard was likely issued in late 1932 or early 1933. The text below the image of Hitler reads "Whoever wants to live, let him fight, and whoever does not want to fight in this world of eternal struggle; doesn't deserve life!"

Click here for more cards published to commemorate the occasion.

CARL BENZ DENKMALS
CARL BENZ MEMORIALS
PP127-C-2
(1933)

This postcard features Carl Benz's memorial in Mannheim and bears the inscription "FESTPOSTKARTE | ZUR ENTHÜLLUNG DES | CARL BENZ-DENKMALS | MANNHEIM OSTERN 1933" - 'FESTIVAL POSTCARD | TO REVEAL THE | CARL BENZ MONUMENT | MANNHEIM EASTER 1933'

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DRESDEN STAMP SHOW
PP122-C-1
(Apr 1933)

These postcards were issued to commemorate the Dresden Stamp Exhibition held in Apr 1933. There are two different cards. The first (PP122-C-1-01) has an image of the 1931 issue Michel 459, 8+4Rpf 'Zwinger' stamp. The second card (PP122-C-1-02) has an image of the 1932 issue 15Rpf Michel 470 stamp. On the reverse of the 15Rpf card shown below is the special cancel used at the show. Both cards have a pre-printed 3Rpf stamp.

Please click here for more details.




LEFT: PP122-C-1/01
RIGHT: PP122-C-1/02

700th ANNIVERSARY SALZWEDEL
(May/Jun 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the town of Salzwedel, in Saxony-Anhalt, between Hamburg and Altmark.

Click here for the other cards from my collection.

DAY OF NATIONAL LABOUR
(MAY DAY)
(1st May 1933)

This Nazi inspired postcard was also issued to commemorate the May Day 1933 and carries the inscription "Es schaun aufs hakenkreuz voll hoffnung schon millionen Der Tag für freiheit und für Brot bricht an!" or 'Millions of people already look at the swastika full of hope, the day for freedom and bread is dawning!'.

Click here for the other cards from my collection.



Another postcard issued to celebrate National Labour Day is shown below and was published by Kunstverlag Wentz and Co. in Berlin. The inscription at the bottom left-hand side of the card reads:

"Das umseitige erscheint als hochkunstlerisch ausgeführtes Gedenkblatt im Formal 37.5x44.5cm. Es ist in allen Buch, Kunst und Papierwarenhandlungen ober direkt beim Berlage zum Priefe von 75 Rpf zu haben."

'The over leaf appearance as a highly artistic memorial sheet in the form 37.5x44.5cm. It is available in all book art and stationery stores or directly for a price of 75 Rpf.'

At this time in 1933 the Nazi government was only a few months old, and there was a need to create a feeling of legitimacy after so many years of chaos. The imagery was typical of the time in that the engravings on the plinth are that of von Hindenburg and Hitler, and the message attempts to portray the unknown new Nazi government with the trusted German Empire leaders of the past. There is another, almost identical, version of this card where the images of Hitler and Hindenburg are replaced by a gold seal.

DEUTSCHE LANDWIRTSCHAFTS GESELLSCHAFT
GERMAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
(20th/28th May 1933)

Issued by the German Agricultural Scoiety this card commemorates the 39th Wanderausstellung, or 39th Travelling Exhibition held in Berlin from 20th to 28th May 1933

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1,000th ANNIVERSARY OF BAUTZEN
(3rd/11th Jun 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the 1,000th Anniversary of the town of Bautzen. The anniversary was celebrated over 7 days from 3rd to 11th Jun 1933.

Click here for the other cards from my collection.

1st GERMAN JOURNEYMAN'S DAY
(8th/11th Jun 1933)

This postcard was issued to commemorate the 1st German Journeyman's Day held in Munich from 8th to 11th Jun 1933. The inscription running along the pole of the flag is "GOTT UND VOLK - VOLK UND STAND - STAND UND STAAT" - 'GOD AND PEOPLE - PEOPLE AND STATE - STATE AND STATE'.

Journeyman's Day was a gathering of members of the Kolping Society (a group associated with the Catholic Church), identified by their orange and black banners and uniforms. For this particular event about 28,000 members from all over Germany traveled to Munich to attend the meeting. During the day of the 8th, Franz von Papen, German Vice Chancellor, addressed the crowds but things turned ugly during the evening when the group was attacked by Nazi SA troopers. Following the riots, the event was canceled at the urging of the Bavarian Police. The Kolping Society was then dissolved until after the war when it was resurrected. [requires additional research].

Please click here for more details.

DONATION CARD
(1933)

This Spendenkarte or 'Donation Card' was published to commemorate the Easter Meeting of the Hitler Youth held in Sobernheim. The diamond shaped image in the centre of the card is the symbol of the Hitler Youth Organisation and the letters 'HJ' are a short form of "Hitler Jugend" or Hitler Youth.

Please click here for more details.

18th GERMAN BOWLING COMPETITION
(15th/23rd Jul 1933)

The 18th German Bowling (Skittles) Competition was held from 15th to 23rd Jul 1933 in the city of Frankfurt. The image depicts a bowler aiming at a set of 9 pins with the 'DKB' (Deutsche Bundes Kegeln) logo. The building on the lower right of the image is the Emperor’s Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (a.k.a Frankfurt Cathedral) or 'Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus'.

Please click here for more details.

15th GERMAN TURNFEST
GYMNASTICS FESTIVAL
(22nd/30th Jul 1933)

The 15th German Gymnastics Festival was held in Stuttgart from 22nd to 30th Jul 1933. The postcard below is one that was published to commemorate the festival.

The patron for the event was President Paul von Hindenburg and an estimated 600,000 people attended the competitions at the newly renamed 'Adolf Hitler Arena'. 120,000 people actively participated in the events and this was the occasion of one of Hitler's first mass propaganda addresses. Hitler only attended the festival on the last day, together with Vice Chancellor Franz von Papen, Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath, and head of propaganda Joseph Goebbels. Stuttgart was chosen as the venue as early as 1918 and the event was held once every 5 years.

You can find more information Here.

Click here for more postcards from the festival

1st HITLER YOUTH MEETING
(19th/21st Aug 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the 1st Meeting of the Munich Hitler Youth Organisation "Hochland" district (area 19), from 19th to 21st Aug 1933. The image is that of a Hitler Youth member blowing a bugle with the Hitler Youth flag hanging from it. Around 30,000 boys attended the event, designed to select those boys that would be the best candidates to lead Germany's youth under the Nazis. From 1928 until 1934 the Munich branch of the Hitler Youth Organisation was led by Emil Klein.

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HITLER YOUTH QUEX
HITLER YOUTH MOVIE
(1933)

This postcard was produced in 1933 to advertise a movie featuring the Hitler Youth called "Hitler Junge Quex".

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THE HITLER YOUTH FIGHT
(1933)

This propaganda postcard was likely issued in late 1932 or early 1933. The text below the image reads "BUILDING BLOCK FOR THE HITLER YOUTH FIGHT"

Click here for more cards published to commemorate the occasion.

ASCHERSLEBEN STAMP EXHIBITION
PP122-C-2, PP126-C-2 and PP127-C-4
(19th/21st Aug 1933)

This postcard advertises the Aschersleben Stamp Exhibition held from 19th to 21st August 1933. There was also a special postmark used to advertise the event. There are four versions of this card, the front is the same but the value stamp on the reverse is either a 3Pf (PP122-C-2) Hindenburg Medallion, a 5Pf (PP126-C-2) Hindenburg Medallion, a 6Pf (PP127-C-4) Hindenburg Medallion or a 15Pf (PP131-C-1) Hindenburg Medallion.

Click here for more cards from my collection.

5th ANNUAL NAZI PARTY RALLY
The RALLY of VICTORY
(1st/3rd Sep 1933)

The postcard below left commemorates the Nazi Party Rally (Reichsparteitag) held in Nürnberg from 1st to 3rd Sep 1933. The card was published by 'Verlag Frz. Fher Rachf.', Munich. The front of the card is inscribed 'Einig das Volk, Stark das Reich' - 'with the people united the Empire will be strong'.

There is also an inscription on the reverse side of the card, on the top left-hand side, which reads 'Festpostkarte | Reichsparteitag der N.S.D.A.P. | in Nürnberg 1.-3. September 1933'.

The card below-right, was also issued to commemorate the rally.

If you are interested in more Reichsparteitag postcards with additional information, please click Here.

700th ANNIVERSARY OF GERINGSWALDE
(2nd/4th Sep 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the town of Geringswalde. The anniversary was celebrated over 3 days from 2nd to 4th Sep 1933.

Click here for more details.

ALLGEMEINER DEUTSCHER KATHOLIKENTAG IN WIEN
GENERAL GERMAN CATHOLIC DAY IN VIENNA
(7th/12th Sep 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate Catholic Day (actually 5 consecutive days) from 7th to the 12th Sep 1933.

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1000th ANNIVERSARY of TANGERMÜNDE
(9th/17th Sep 1933)

This postcard commemorates the 1,000-year anniversary of the town of Tangermünde in the southeast of the Stendahl district of Saxony-Anhalt. The building in the background is Neustädter Tor or Stendaler Tor, built around 1300. The figure in the foreground is the 'Grete Minde' (from a novella by Theodor Fontane cc. 1879) and in her arms is the Tangermünde coat of arms. The text inscribed at the base of the card reads 'Tangermünde - Brückeneinweihung - Grete Minde Festspiel - Schwedensturm - S.A und Jungendtreffen -Sportfeste' or 'Tangermünde - bridge inauguration - Grete Minde festival - Swedish storm - S.A and Youth meetings - sports festivals'.

There are at least three versions of this postcard each depicting a different view of Tangermünde (two of them feature Stendaler Tor, but from different angles), the other is a more generalised view from a distance.

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HANDICRAFT WORKERS' DAY
(10th Sep 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the people working in the handicraft industry on their special day on 10th Sep 1933.

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The STEEL HELMETS
(23rd/24th Sep 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the Reichsführer Conference of the Steel Helmet Association of Frontline Soldiers held in Hannover on 23rd and 24th Sept 1933. The front of the card features a portrait of Prussian General Gerhard von Scharnhorst. The 'Steel Helmet, League of Frontline Soldiers' or 'Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten' or 'Der Stahlhelm' for short, was a German first World War ex-servicemen's organization which existed from 1918 to 1935.

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DEUTSCHES ERNTEDANKFEST
GERMAN HARVEST THANKSGIVING
(1st Oct 1933)

Featuring a peasant woman during the harvest this card was published to commemorate Thanksgiving on 1st Oct 1933.

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WINTERHILFSWERK (WHW) #1
(Oct 1933)

This series of postcards was published around Oct 1933 in order to raise funds for the 1933/34 Winterhilfswerk fund. The cards feature a number of different pins which were given out as a thank you for donations to the fund. There were several versions of this card.

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WINTERHILFSWERK (WHW) #2
(1933/34)

These two postcards were the Official 1933/34 Winterhilfswerk donation postcard, published to raise funds for the winter welfare fund. The front of the cards have the following inscription on the top-left hand side of the card "Offizielle Postkarte | für die Winterhilfe 1933/34 | der Bayer, Beamtenschaft" - 'Official postcard | for winter aid 1933/34 | the Bavarian, Civil Service'.

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ESSEN 5th EXHIBITION
(14th/22nd Oct 1933)

This postcard was published to commemorate the 5th Essen Radio Exhibition held from 14th to 22nd October 1933. The image is of a Reich's Eagle with radio waves emitting from it. The term VE301 refers to a model of radio made extremely popular by the Nazi's. The abbreviation refers to VE for Volksempfänger (People's Radio) and the 301 as a reminder of 30 January 1933 the day of the seizure of power of Hitler. See here for more details.

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GROUND BREAKING for the HOUSE of GERMAN ART
(15th Oct 1933)

This postcard was issued to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the new HOUSE of GERMAN ART Museum in MUNICH.

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10th ANNIVERSARY of MUNICH PUTSCH
(9th Nov 1933)

This rather dramatic postcard was designed by Gustav Goetschel and published by Verlag H. Hunsinger to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the failed Munich Putsch (9th Nov 1923). The SA man in the foreground is holding the 'blood flag' and carrying a wounded/dying comrade following the confrontation between the Nazi's and the Bavarian State Police on the night of 8th/9th Nov 1923. In the background is the Feldhernhalle in the Odeonsplatz where the skirmish occurred, and in the distance are the ghosts of the Nazi party members that were killed (15 in total) on that fateful night.

Click here for more details.

GERMAN LUTHER DAY
(10th Nov 1933)

This postcard was issued to commemorate the life of Martin Luther, a German Augustine monk and professor of theology, responsible for the Reformation. Luther was born on 10th Nov 1483 and died on 18th Feb 1546.

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WINTERHILFSWERK (WHW) #3
(Dec 1933)

Another series of WHW postcards included the card shown below. The series is titled "Winterhilfswerk d. Deutschen Volks 1933/34" and consists of 492 different cards.

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The DAY of GERMAN FAMILY MUSIC
(1933)

The following postcard was published to commemorate the Day of German Family Music held in 1933.

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MARCOPHIL POSTMEN SERIES
(1933)

This series of 16 postcards features the uniforms worn by postmen in the various German states. The exact date of publication is unknown, however apart from the more common cards that did not have pre-printed stamps, there were around 60 complete sets that had pre-printed 3Rpf Hindenburg Medallion stamps. The cards with the pre-printed stamps are much rarer and hence much more expensive than the more common cards that are without pre-printed stamps.

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RICHARD WAGNER YEAR
(1933)

This series of 6 postcards features oil paintings of Richard Wagner and scenes from several of his operas.

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PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY ROCK
(1933)

This card was published to commemorate the pilgrimage to the Holy Rock in Trier. The date 326 celebrates the rebuilding of Trier under the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337) after the town was destroyed during the Alemanni invasion.

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KLICKOW - PP122-B-17
HINDENBURG 3Rpf POSTCARDS
(1933)

Inscribed "Markenhaus Klickow Berlin-Wilmersdorf 2", this was a set of fifteen postcards, all of which feature a brown 3Rpf Hindenburg Medallion pre-printed stamp. The cards were private printings by the stamp dealership 'Albert Klickow Markenhaus' from 1933 until 1940.

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P122-C-17/02

VAAM GEGR 1882
PP110-B-2

These commemorative cards were issued for the 50th Anniversary of VAAM, and there are three in the series. All feature a 3Rpf Ebert pre-printed stamp on the front and an 8Rpf Ebert pre-printed stamp on the reverse. These are double cards, and the sender would send the complete card. Upon receipt the card would be torn in two and the reply would be sent on the unused pre-paid portion.

There is an inscription "ALLGEM. PASSIVEN-VERBAND DES AKAD.ARCHITEKTENVEREINS MÜNCHEN" - 'GENERAL PASSIVE ASSOCIATION OF THE MUNICH ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTS'

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DEUTSCHLAND, DEINE KOLONIEN!

One of the most popular postcards issued during the Third Reich era was the following card inscribed 'Deutschland, Deine Kolonien!'. The first card appeared in 1933 and was then issued multiple times with minor changes in the design of both the postcard and the value stamp. Specific dates are hard to determine so I have collected them all in one place for easier comparison.

Click here for more details.

BLANK CARDS (TYPE A)
PP122-A-1 to PP122-A-5

These blank postcards were issued from 1933 until 1945 and they exists in many basic forms.

Click here for more details on the variants.

BLANK CARDS (TYPE B)
PP122-B-1 to PP122-B-40

These blank postcards were issued throughout 1933 until 1945 and exists in many basic forms.

Click here for more details on the variants.




PP122-B-10

ADVERTISING CARDS
PP124-B-1 and PP124-B-2

These advertising postcards were issued from 1933 until 1945 and they exists in a number of formats.

Click here for more details on the variants.

GERMAN WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
PP126-F-1, PP127-F-1 and PP133-F-1
(1933/1945 Maybe)

These postcards were commissioned by the German War graves Commission and there are almost 50 different variations. The cards feature an image of a military cemetery.

Click here for more details on the variants.




PP126-F-1

NÜRNBERG TEACHERS' CONFERENCE
(1933)

This postcard was issued to commemorate the 1933 Nürnburg teachers' conference.

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STEEL HELMET DAY
(1933)

This postcard was issued to commemorate Steel Helmet Day in 1933.

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ABSOLVIA
(1933)

There are a number of postcards issued by various education establisments that come under the umbrella of Absolvia

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PATRIOTIC POSTCARDS
(1933)

There were a number of patriotic postcards issued throughout 1933 and a small selection follows:

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