GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1940)

This page was last updated
06-Mar-2023 08:16

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 1940 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.

TAG DER BRIEFMARKE
THE DAY OF THE STAMP
(6th/8th Jan 1940)

There were two designs for the special 'Day of the Stamp' handstamps used between the 6th and 8th Jan 1940. The first design features a postilion blowing his horn. Above his head is the city name and below his feet is the inscription 'Tag der Briefmarke'. To the left is the 'R.d.P' logo and to the right is a ribbon featuring the date. There are 29 towns and cities with this design.

The second design depicts a stamp in the background with a steel helmet, sword and 'WHW' logo in the foreground. Above is the city name and below the inscription 'Tag der Briefmarke'. To the left is the K.d.F logo and to the right the date. There are 14 towns and cities with this design.

In addition to the special handstamps there were two official postcards P288 and P289.

WEINER FRÜHJÄHRMESSE
VIENNA SPRING FAIR
(10th/17st Mar 1940)

There were two special cancellations [BOCHMANN Heft 22. Page 764, No 50 and 51], used for the 1940 Vienna Spring Fair. The first is inscribed "WIENER | FRÜHJÄHRS- | MESSE | 10.-16. MÄRZ 1940 | TECHN. MESSE bis 17.MÄRZ" and the other is a more common cancel inscribed "WIEN | Wiener Frühjährmesse 1940".



ABOVE: Slogan cancel (P)

Below is the more common special cancel with counter 'b', seen on all four of the LEIPZIG SPRING FAIR special issue stamps, as there were no special stamps issued for the VIENNA SPRING FAIR. This second cancel exists with 'a', 'b' and 'c' counters.



For an example of these special cancels on cover click here

NATIONALE BRIEFMARKEN AUSSTELLUNG
NATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION
(28th / 31st Mar 1940)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 3, Page: 125, Number: S322

This special handstamp was used in BERLIN to mark the National Stamp Exhibition which ran from 28th to 31st Mar 1940.

The cancel features a German Luftwaffe formation flying over the Siegessäule. This handstamp was used at seven counters: 'a' through 'g'.



ABOVE LEFT : Special cancel counter 'C'
ABOVE RIGHT: Special cancel counter 'G'

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr. 3, Page: 125, Number: S323

In addition to the handstamp there was also a special slogan cancel inscribed "Nationale | Briefmarken | Ausstellung 1940 | Deutsche Marken- | Deutsche Stempel" - 'National | Stamps | Exhibition 1940 | German brands | German stamp'. The image features a steel helmet, Swastika with rising sun and two Oak leaves. This slogan cancel was also used at counters 'a' through 'g' and all are from BERLIN SW 11.

6th WINTERHILFSWERK STREET COLLECTION
(29th/31st Mar 1940)

As in previous years there was a set of six commemorative postcards published to raise funds for the Winter Relief Fund. To complement the postcards was a special handstamp used in 76 towns and cities from 29th to 31st Mar 1940.

WITZENHAUSEN HEALTH RESORTS AND SPAS
(8th Apr 1940)

The special cancel [BOCHMANN Heft 22, Page 782, No.2], is one of only three from WITZENHAUSEN, and is inscribed "Luftkurort | im Werratal | Kurhessen | Heilfasten und Diätkuren" - 'climatic health resort | in the Werra Valley | Kurhessen | Therapeutic fasting and diet cures' and proudly boasts of the regions health spas and resorts. This cancel was used annually from 1939-1942 and 1945-1951. See here for an example on cover.

MUSSOLINI'S VISIT TO GERMANY
(Jun 1940)

There was no special stamp issued to commemorate Mussolini's visit to Germany in Jun 1940 but there was a special handstamp which can be seen below.



ABOVE: Special handstamp used in Munich (P)

1st REICHSTAG OF GREATER GERMANY
(18th Jul 1940)

There was no commemorative stamp issued to mark this event but there was a special cancel used in BERLIN on 19th Jul 1940 and inscribed "BERLIN | Groβer Deutscher Reichstag" and featuring an eagle with outstretched wings holding a swastika wreath. This is the same special cancel that was used for the 5th Anniversary of the third Reich in 1938, only now with the additional text. There is an official P290 postcard that is somewhat related although not directly so.

DER SIEG IM WESTEN AUSSTELLUNG
VICTORY IN THE WEST EXHIBITION
(17th Nov 1940 / 28th Feb 1941)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr. 22, Page: 764, Number: S57

This special handstamp was used in VIENNA to commemorate the exhibition featuring the German victory over France, Holland and Belgium in Jun 1940. The inscription reads "Wehrmachtsausstellung | Der Sieg im Westen" - 'Wehrmacht Exhibition | Victory in the West'. There were two counters used: 'a' and 'b'

DAY OF GREATER GERMAN STAMP DEALERS
(1st/3rd Dec 1940)

There was no commemorative stamp issued to mark this event but there was a special cancel used in VIENNA from 1st to 3rd Dec 1940 inscribed "WIEN | Tag des Groβdeutschen | Briefmarken handels 1.-3.12.40" and featuring the number '3' inside 4 concentric circles.

There is a private issue postcard that is identical to the official card used to commemorate the first Reichstag of Greater Germany earlier in the year, only now with additional inscription "Tag des Groβdeutschen | Briefmarken handels | Wien 1. bis 3. Dezember 1940".



REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL