GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1940)
This page was last updated
03-Apr-2023 07:22
NOTE: This page contains details of special postmarks that are directly related to official stamps issued in 1940. For special postmarks that are not directly related 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.
LEIPZIG SPRING FAIR
(2nd/8th Mar 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 739 to 742
RELATED POSTCARD: There was at least one private postcard commemorating the fair as well as a series of special cards used in Leipzig to commemorate the stamp fair which took place just a few days after the fair.
To complement the first ever commemorative issue of Leipzig Fair stamps there were six special handstamps used at the various locations throughout the fair.
The Leipzig fairs began in the 12th Century and were trade fairs that were used to develop the German economy. They soon developed into "Muster Messe" or 'Sample Fairs', hence the 'MM' initials on the stamps.
ABOVE LEFT: Inscribed "MESSEHAUS | HANDELSHOF" (Trade Hall)
ABOVE CENTRE: Inscribed "MESSEHAUS | PETERSHOF" (Peter's Hall)
ABOVE RIGHT: Inscribed “PRESSE-POSTAMT | HAUS DER NATIONEN" (Press Office in House of Nations)
ABOVE LEFT: Inscribed "RING MESSHAUS" (Ring Fair Hall)
ABOVE CENTRE: Inscribed "MESSHAUS | STADT KAUFHAUS" (City Merchant's Hall)
ABOVE RIGHT: Inscribed “EULITZ- | HAUS" (Eulitz Fair Hall)
In addition to these handstamps was a slogan postmark inscribed "MM FRÜHJAHRS | MESSE | 1940 | BEGINN 3. MARZ" - 'Spring Fair 1940 begins 3rd March'.
ABOVE: Slogan postmark
2nd NATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION
(28th/31st Mar 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 743
RELATED POSTCARD: UNKNOWN
A commemorative stamp, Michel 743 featuring the new Reich Chancellery, was issued to mark this event and along with it there was also a special handstamp and related slogan postmark. Within the exhibition only one stamp was allowed per entry ticket and the stamp sold for 50Rpf. Once the exhibition closed the price of the stamp reverted to the full 1 Mark price and could be bought from the collector's counter at the BERLIN post office.
ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp
ABOVE RIGHT: Slogan cancel
HITLER'S 51st BIRTHDAY
(20th Apr 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: (See Below) RELATED STAMPS: Michel 744
RELATED POSTCARD: Although there was no official postard commmemorating Hitler's 51st birthday in 1940 there was at least one private postcard published to commemorate the event.
For the fourth consecutive year a special handstamp was used to celebrate Hitler's birthday on 20th Apr. This year the design was different to previous years, instead of the circular handstamp having the name of the town inscribed inside it a rectangular design was used with an accompanying circular CDS which denoted the town.
The rectangular design included an ear of wheat and a hammer, denoting agriculture and industry, and the eight towns and cities using the design were: BERLIN, KÖLN, DANZIG, HAMBURG, MÜNCHEN, NÜRNBERG, POSEN and WIEN.
Special handstamps, postcards and stamps were then issued every year in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944 to commemorate his birthday.
BERLIN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 3, Page 126, Number: S 328
There were 10 different handstamps used in BERLIN all with counters 'a' and 'b' as follows: BERLIN C 2, BERLIN N 4, BERLIN NW 7, BERLIN W 8, BERLIN W 9, BERLIN SW 11, BERLIN NW 40, BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 1, BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 2 and BERLIN-SCHÖNEBERG 1. These handstamps were only to be used on semi-postal stamps (i.e. not on the HINDENBURG Medallion definitive stamps)
ABOVE: Example of BERLIN handstamp on cover from my collection
DANZIG: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 5, Page: 202, Number: S 9
There were six different handstamps used in Danzig on 20th Apr 1940 as follows: DANZIG 1, counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd', DANZIG 5, counters 'a' and 'b'
ABOVE: Examples of the DANZIG handstamp
KÖLN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 11, Page: 434, Number: S 44
There were 4 versions of this handstamp used in KÖLN 1, each with either an 'a', 'b', 'c', or 'd' counter
ABOVE:Examples of the handstamps used in KÖLN
HAMBURG: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page: 357, Number: S 102
There were eight versions of the special handstamp used in HAMBURG as follows: HAMBURG 1 counters 'a' and 'b', HAMBURG 11 counters 'a' and 'b' and HAMBURG 36 Counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd'
ABOVE: Examples of the HAMBURG special handstamp
MÜNCHEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 16, Page: 558, Number: S 143
There are ten versions of the Munich special handstamp as follows: MÜNCHEN 1 counters 'a', 'b' and 'c', MÜNCHEN 2 counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd', MÜNCHEN 8 counter 'a', MÜNCHEN 13 counter 'a' and Fb PA counter 'a'.
ABOVE: Examples of the MÜNCHEN handstamp on cover from my collection
NÜRNBERG: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 16, Page: 596, Number: S 70
There are only three versions of the NÜRNBERG special handstamp as follows: NÜRNBERG 2 counters 'a', 'b' and 'c'
ABOVE: Examples of the NÜRNBERG handstamp on cover from my collection
POSEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 17, Page: 625, Number: S 5
There are six versions of the POSEN special handstamp as follows: POSEN 1 counters 'a', 'b' and 'c' and POSEN 4 counters 'a', 'b' and 'c'
ABOVE: Examples of the POSEN special handstamp >br />
WIEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 22, Page: 764, Number: S 52
There are 14 versions of the WIEN special handstamp as follows: WIEN 1 counters 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd' and 'e', WIEN 40 counters 'a' and 'b', WIEN 62 counters 'a' and 'b', WIEN 76 counters 'a', 'b' and 'c' and WIEN 101 counters 'a' and 'b'
ABOVE: Example of the WIEN 1 counter 'b' special handstamp (P)
MAY DAY
(1st May 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: UNKNOWN RELATED STAMPS: Michel 745
RELATED POSTCARD: UNKNOWN
A commemorative stamp was issued to mark May Day 1940. The stamp design depicts a knight in armour protecting the Homefront (agriculture and industry represented by the smokestacks and horse-drawn plough). The special handstamp is a little strange in that it bears no relation to the stamp or to May Day. It depicts the Heraldic Gateway of MÜNICH with the inscription "MÜNCHEN | HAUPSTADT DER BEWEGUNG | SONDERPOSTAMT | 1.MAI.1940". This handstamp was only available in MÜNICH and only for one day.
71st RUNNING OF THE GERMAN DERBY
(30th Jun 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page: 357, Number: S 103RELATED STAMPS: Michel 746
RELATED POSTCARD: UNKNOWN
A commemorative stamp was issued to celebrate the 71st running of the German Derby. The special handstamp shows the coat of arms of the city of Hamburg and the inscription "Groβer Deutschland Pries | der Dreijährigen" - 'Greater German Prize for three-year-olds'. BOCHMANN shows this postmark was used on 23rd, 26th, 28th and 30th Jun 1940. 'The Philately of the third Reich Germany 1933-1945' by Robert W. Jones, states that this handstamp was also used on 27th Jun. This is the same special cancel that was used for the 70th Anniversary in 1939.
ABOVE LEFT: 23rd Jun from a cover in my collection
ABOVE CENTRE: 26th Jun
ABOVE RIGHT: 27th Jun
ABOVE LEFT: 28th Jun
ABOVE RIGHT: 30th Jun
Click here for a few examples on cover.
7. BRAUNE BAND VON DEUTSCHLAND
7th BROWN RIBBON OF GERMANY RACE
(10th/28th Jul 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 16, Page: 558, Numbers: S 146 and S 147
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 747
RELATED POSTCARD: UNKNOWN
A commemorative stamp Michel 747 was issued to celebrate the 7th Brown Ribbon of Germany event held from 10th to 28th Jul in Munich. As with the 6th Anniversary there are special handstamps and a slogan cancel. The handstamps were only used in Munich, but the slogan postmark was also used in BERLIN.
The first handstamp, S 146, is inscribed "MÜNCHEN-REIM | TAG DES | INTERNATIONALEN | HINDERNISSPORTES | 21.7.40" - MUNICH-REIM | DAY OF | INTERNATIONAL | OBSTACLE SPORTS | 21.7.40' and was only used on 21st Jul.
The second handstamp, S 147, was only used on 28th Jul and is inscribed "MÜNCHEN-REIM | DAS BRAUNE BAND v. DEUTSCHLAND | 28.7.40". This handstamp was only permitted for use on semi-postal stamps.
Click here for a few examples on cover.
ABOVE LEFT: used only on 21st Jul 1940 (C) Example on cover from my collection
ABOVE CENTRE: used only on 28th Jul 1940 (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: slogan postmark, Munich and Berlin
The slogan cancel features two horse riders galloping to the left and the inscription "Internationale Rennwochen |München | 10.-28 | Juli | 1940 | Braune Band von Deutschland".
RETURN OF EUPEN, MALMEDY and MORESNET to GERMANY
(18th May 1940 until 1944)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: (See below) RELATED STAMPS: Michel 748 and 749
RELATED POSTCARD:
Two commemorative stamps were issued to mark the return of the towns of Eupen, Malmedy and Moresnet, located in Belgium, to German rule immediately after the capitulation of France and the low countries. There are three associated special handstamps (one for each town). The handstamps are identical except for the town name, and all are inscribed "Heimkehr ins Groβdeutsche Vaterland" - 'Homecoming to the Greater German Fatherland'
EUPEN: BOCHMANN Heft Nr: 6, Page: 269, Number: 1
This special handstamp was the first of only three used in EUPEN and it was available every year from 1940 until 1944. There are 5 versions of this handstamp as follows: EUPEN 1 Counters 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd' and 'e'
ABOVE LEFT: EUPEN counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: EUPEN counter 'b' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: EUPEN counter 'c'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: EUPEN counter 'd'
ABOVE RIGHT: EUPEN counter 'e'
MALMEDY: BOCHMANN Heft Nr: 14, Page: 520, Number: 1
This special handstamp was the only one used in MALMEDY and it was available every year from 1940 until 1944. There are 4 versions of this handstamp as follows: MALMEDY Counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd'
ABOVE LEFT: MALMEDY counter 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: MALMEDY counter 'b'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: MALMEDY counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: MALMEDY counter 'd'
MORESNET: BOCHMANN Heft Nr: 14, Page: 539, Number: 1
This special handstamp was the only one used in MORESNET and it was available every year from 1940 until 1944. There are 4 versions of this handstamp as follows: MORESNET Counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd'
ABOVE LEFT: MORESNET counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: MORESNET counter 'b'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: MORESNET counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: MORESNET counter 'd'
50th ANNIVERSARY OF HELGOLAND
(5th Aug 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page: 380, Number: S 8
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 750
RELATED POSTCARD: UNKNOWN
A commemorative stamp was issued to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Acquisition of Helgoland. The island, in the North Sea had been under British control from 1807 until 1890 when it was ceded to Germany. The special cancel looks like a life preserver with a small lobster at the bottom and the inscription "50 Jahre Deutsch | 1890-1940". The handstamp was only used on 9th Aug 1940 and exits with either an 'a' or a 'b' counter.
This special handstamp was only for use on Michel 750. The 'a' handstamp comes in two types: Type I: with a small, low 'a' and Type II with a large, high 'a'.
ABOVE LEFT: Type I 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Type II 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: counter 'b' (C)
For an example of this special cancel on cover click here
WINTERHILFSWERK - BUILDINGS
(Aug 1940)
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 751 to 759
RELATED POSTCARD:
A set of nine commemorative stmps was issued in November 1940 to raise funds for the Winterhilfswerk fund. As in previous years several slogan cancels were used and this year was no different.
The first [BOCHMANN Heft 25, Page 836 No. 346] depicts a steel helmet and oak leaf with the inscription "EIN VOLK | HILFTSICH | SELBST | KRIEGS-WHW" - 'A people helps themselves, War WHW". This slogan was used in BERLIN, BRAUNSCHWEIG, FRANKFURT am MAIN, HIRSCHBERG, HOF, WEIDEN, WORMS and ZWICKAU.
The second [BOCHMANN Heft 25, Page 838, No.367] depicts a Steel helmet, sword, oak leaves and is simply inscribed "2. KREIGS-WHW". This slogan cancel was used in 79 cities from 6th Nov 1940 until 4th Apr 1941.
The third [BOCHMANN Heft 25, Page 838, No.368] depicts a sword wrapped in a laurel branch and is simply inscribed "2. KREIGS-WHW". This slogan cancel was used in 78 towns and cities from 7th Nov 1940 until 30th Apr 1941.
ABOVE LEFT: S 346.
ABOVE CENTRE: S367
ABOVE RIGHT: S368.
Click here for a few examples on cover.
DISCOVERY OF DIPTHERIA SERUM
(3rd/6th Dec 1940)
REFERENCE: LEVERKUSEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 13, Page: 497, Number: S 1
MARBURG (LAHN): BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 14, Page: 526, Number: S 8
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 760 and 761
RELATED POSTCARD: There was no official postcard but there was at least one private postcard
Two identical commemorative stamps were issued in November 1940 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of the Diphtheria serum by Emil von Behring. There were several special cards as well as two special handstamps. The handstamps are the same except one bears the city name of 'MARBURG (LAHN)'' and the other 'LEVERKUSEN-J.G.WERK',
The LEVERKUSEN special handstamp exists with counters 'a', 'b', and 'c' and was used from 26th Nov until 6th Dec 1940. Whereas the MARBURG (LAHN) version can be found with 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd' counters and was only used from 3rd to 6th Dec 1940.
ABOVE: Examples from my collection (P)
REFERENCES:1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
2. ROBERT W. JONES - THE PHILATELY OF THE THIRD REICH GERMANY 1933-1945 - MAR PUBLISHING - 2011 - ISBN: 978-0-9765165-3-8
