GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1939)

This page was last updated
30-Sep-2024 07:20

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 1939 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.

ANNIVERSARY of the LUFTSCHUTZBUND
AIR RAID PROTECTION LEAGUE

TAG DER BRIEFMARKE
THE DAY OF THE STAMP
(7th/9th Jan 1939)

Special Day of the Stamp handstamps were issued in 27 towns and cities in 1939 between the 7th and 9th Jan. The handstamps are all circular and all have the inscription "Tag der Briefmarke" across the centre, the town or city name at the top and three logos at the bottom. Regarding the logos, the centre one is the coat of arms of the named city and each side of that is either the K.d.F, R.d.P or Winterhilfswerk logos.

In addition to the special handstamps there were also two official postcards P239/01 and P239/02

FLAG CONSECRATION OF THE HITLER YOUTH
(24th Jan 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 17, Page: 627, No: S7
The handstamp below is inscribed "POTSDAM | Bahnfahnenweihe der HJ | 24.1.39" - 'POTSDAM, Railway flag consecration of the Hitler Youth. 24.1.1939" and was only used at POTSDAM on the day of the event, 24th Jan 1939. The image is of the Garnifon Church in the foreground and four flags in the background.



ABOVE: Image kindly provided by Michael Sims

DAY OF GERMAN POLICE
(29th Jan 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 3, Page: 121, No: S 299
The handstamp below is inscribed "BERLIN | Tag der Deutschen Polizei | Die Polizei | Dein Freund - Dien Helfer | 29.1 | 1939" - 'BERLIN. German Police Day. The police, Your friend, your helper. 29.1.1939" and was only used in BERLIN on the day itself, 29th Jan 1939. This particular handstamp was only permitted for use on surcharged stamps.



ABOVE: Image kindly provided by Michael Sims

KÖLN KARNEVAL
COLOGNE CARNIVAL
(23rd - 28th Feb 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft 11, Page 433, No. 39

There were no commemorative stamps, but there were two official postcards P276 and P277 published to commemorate the Cologne Carnival of 1938. To compliment the cards there was a special handstamp inscribed "KÖLN | Singendes, klingendes | lachendes | Köln | Karneval | 1939" and a slogan postmark "Köln | Karneval 1939".

The special handstamp was used on 16th and 19th to 21st Feb 1939, but the carnival actually took place from 23rd to 28th Feb 1939.

1. WHW for GREATER GERMANY
(26th Mar 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 22, Page: 789, No: S 11
The handstamp below is inscribed "WÜRZBURG | Schaffende sammeln für's | 1. WHW Groβdeutschlands | 26.3.1939" - 'WURZBURG. Creative people collect for the 1st Winter Relief Fund for Greater Germany. March 26, 1939'. This handstamp was only used on the 26th Mar 1939 and there is a similar commemorative handstamp that was used in ASCHAFFENBURG [Bochmann: Heft: 1, Page: 46, No. S 7]. Bochmann also states that "Only postage stamps, a commemorative sheet and celebration postcards were permitted to be cancelled with this handstamp"



ABOVE: Image kindly provided by Michael Sims

WHW - EIN VOLK HILFT SICH SELBT
WHW - A NATION HELPS ITSELF
(7th Apr 1939)

BOCHMANN: Helf XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Slogan Cancel WIEN (C)

REICHS-GARTENSCHAU
EMPIRE GARDEN SHOW
(22nd Apr/8th Oct 1939)

The special handstamp was only used in STUTTGART and was the only one used to commemorate the 1939 Reichs-Gartenschau held from Apr to Oct 1939. There was also a special slogan cancel used only in STUTTGART and BERLIN. In addition to the handstamp there was also a number of private postcards.

46th RES DIV
46th RES DIV 25th ANNIVERSARY
(6th May 1939)

BOCHMANN: Helf XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Slogan Cancel HAMBURG (C)

2. REICHSTAGUNG des R.D.B
2nd REICH CONFERENCE of the R.D.B
(9th May 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft: 7, Page: 286, No. S 95

There is onyl one version of this special cancellation that was used to commemorate the 2nd conference of the RdB (Civil Servants), held in the city of FRANKFURT (MAIN) from 8th to 14th May 1939.



ABOVE: Slogan Cancel FRANKFURT (C)

LEISTUNGSSCHAU DER K.D.F
PERFORMANCE SHOW of the K.d.F
(21st May 1939)

BOCHMANN: Helf XX, Page XXX, No. XX



ABOVE: Slogan Cancel BERLIN (C)

KASSEL NATIONAL VETERAN'S DAY
(3rd/5th Jun 1939)

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 11, Page: 412, Number: S 32
POSTCARDS: There were no official postcards but there were several private postcards available.
STAMPS: There were no related postage stamps.

The special handstamp was inscribed "KASSEL | 1939 | Groβdeutcher Reichskriegertag" and features a swastika inside an Iron Cross medal, inside a shield. There were four counters used: 'a' to 'd' and the handstamp was used from 3rd to 5th Jun 1939.

45th PHILATELISTS DAY MUNICH
PP122-C-106
(3rd/5th Jun 1939)

Issued 3rd to 5th Jun 1939 to commemorate the 45th Philatelists Day held in MUNICH and SALZBURG. There were two different special handstamps used to commemorate this event. The first in MUNICH and the second in SALZBURG.

1. Inscribed "MÜNCHEN | 45 Deutscher Philatelistentag | 4.6.1939 | * HAUPTSTADT DER BEWEGUNG *", used 4th Jun 1939 for one day only. (BOCHMANN Heft Nr 16, Page 557, Nr S131
2. Inscribed "SALZBURG | 45 DEUTSCHER PHILATELISTENTAG | MÜNCHEN-SALZBURG | 5.6.1939". Used 5th Jun 1939 for only one day. (BOCHMANN Heft Nr 20, Page 659, Nr S4).

5th NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE K.d.F
(20th/23rd Jul 1939)

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page: 356, Number: S 96
POSTCARDS: An official P240 postcard and at least one private postcard were available in advance of the event.

This special handstamp was only used in HAMBURG and commemorates the 5th REICHSTAGUNG or National Congress, of the K.d.F Organisation. The inscription reads "HAMBURG | Reichstagung | der NS-Gemeinschaft "Kraft durch Freude" 20.-23.7.39". The design features a couple dancing in traditional costume, a large banner and the silhouette of the city behind them. There are two slightly different designs: the first without a slash in the downward stroke of the '7' in the date "20.-23.7.39", and the second with a slash.



ABOVE LEFT: Type I - without the slash
ABOVE RIGHT: Type II - with the slash

GERMAN ALPINE CLUB
65th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(28th-30th Jul 1939)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 8, Page: 329, Number: S 11
POSTCARDS: No official postcard was published but at least one private postcard exists.

This special handstamp inscribed "GRAZ | 65. Hauptversammlung | 28.-30.7.1939 | Deutscher Alpen Verein" was only used in GRAZ, and only on the meeting days.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

WELTMEISTERSCHAFT DER STARBOOTE
(15th / 28th Aug 1939)

This special cancel was used in KIEL from 15th to 28th Aug 1939. The image shows two sailing boats racing and the cancel was used to commemorate the 1939 World Star Boat Championships held in Kiel. There was only one version of this handstamp and the inscription reads "KIEL | Weltmeisterschaft der Starboote 1939 | I.S.C.Y.R.A" - 'KIEL Star Boat World Championships I.S.C.Y.R.A', where I.S.C.Y.R.A is an abbreviation of the 'International Star Class Yacht Racing Association'.

EAST GERMAN FAIR
(20th/23rd Aug 1939)

There were no special issue stamps related to the DEUTSCHE OSTMESSE in 1939 but there were two official postcards and the special handstamp shown below.



ABOVE: KÖNIGSBERG

SLOGAN CANCEL
(23rd Oct 1939 / 11th Jan 1940)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 25.
Page: 855
Number: 341

This slogan cancellation was used in 29 towns and cities from 23rd Oct 1939 until 11th Jan 1940. There are two variations with the CDS either on the left or the right of the slogan. The slogan reads "Jeder Dienst am | Vaterland | stählt unsere kraft" or 'Any service to the Fatherland makes us stronger'.



REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL