PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1933)

This page was last updated
12-Oct-2022 08:23

BLANK CARDS
WITH A 3Rpf PRE-PRINTED STAMP (TYPE A)

BACKGROUND: These blank postcards were issued from 1933 until 1945 and they exists in many basic forms. They were ordered by Stamp distributors and were used as a means of supplying their customers with the latest special cancellations. Special cancellations or Sonderstempel is one area of study among some collectors, and it was particularly popular in Germany during the 1930's as such a large number of special cancels were used, everything from the Nazi Party Rallies to the local stamp show, used a special cancellation to mark the event.

Due to geographical and time constraints, not to mention the financial burden, it wasn't possible for a regular collector to attend each and every event in order to get the special cancel. The next best option was to sign up with a well-known dealer who would be able to arrange for a quantity of favour cancelled cards to be made available. These proved to be very popular. In their basic form "Type A" they consists of nothing more than a blank piece of card with a pre-printed 3Rpf Hindenburg Medallion stamp (3Rpf being the required postage for a postcard within Germany).

There are seven different "Type A" cards as well as a couple of sub-variants to look out for.

PP122-A-1

PP122-A-1 is a blank card, without any text or lines that measures 147 (148mm) by 104 (105mm). There are three variants as follows:

PP122-A-1/01: the cardboard used to manufacture the card is white
PP122-A-1/02 where the card is thinner and the colour is now off-white
PP122-A-1/03 where the card is a cream coloured card (most common type that I have seen).




ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-1/01
ABOVE RIGHT: PP122-A-1/02




ABOVE: Three different PP122-A-1/03 cards

PP122-A-2

This card measures 150 x 106mm. There is no pre-printed text, however it does have a single printed line that measures 72mm long. The reverse side of the card is blank.

PP122-A-3

PP122-A-3 also has a single printed line, this time measuring 54mm long and now with an additional 'An' printed on the card.

PP122-A-4

PP122-A-4 has five pre-printed horizontal lines, a single vertical centre line and no printed text. There are two versions:

/01: the vertical centre line measures 61.5mm and the distance between the horizontal lines is 38mm
/02: the vertical line measures 67.5mm and the distance between the horizontal lines is 42.5mm




ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-4/01
ABOVE RIGHT: PP122-A-4/02

PP122-A-5

This card has a central vertical dividing line as well as pre-printed text (see below) and it exists in three versions.

PP122-A-5/01: No horizontal lines. Vertical central double line measuring 23mm long in the middle of the card and the word "DRUCKSACHE" pre-printed in italic text font.

PP122-A-5/02: One horizontal line. Vertical dividing line is 81mm long and the word "Postkarte" is pre-printed in Fractur text font.

PP122-A-5/03: Five horizontal lines measuring 41.5mm long. Vertical centre line measures 90mm long and the pre-printed "Drucksache" is in Antiqua text font.



ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-5/01
ABOVE RIGHT: PP122-A-5/02




ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-5/03

PP122-A-6

PP122-A-6 is easily identifiable by the pre-printed text on the left-hand pane which reads "Achtung! --> | Briefmarken- | Sammler: | "Ganzsache!"".

PP122-A-7

PP122-A-7 is easily identifiable as it has decorative wavy-line border, graduation 49mm long above the text "Sonderpostkarte". There are three versions:

PP122-A-7/01: with two red dotted horizontal lines and one dashed line.
PP122-A-7/02: which two black dotted horizontal lines and one dashed line,
PP122-A-7/03: which has three dotted horizontal lines and one dashed line,



ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-7/01
ABOVE RIGHT: PP122-A-7/02



ABOVE LEFT: PP122-A-7/03

REFERENCES:
1. PRIVATPOSTKARTEN KATALOG BAND 1 by HANSPETER FRECH 2003 Edition