GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1941)

This page was last updated
23-Oct-2022 10:38

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 1941 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
(12th Jan 1941)

The 1941 Day of the stamp commemorative special handstamps exist in ten different designs.



ABOVE: Michel 751 with HAMBURG special Handstamp (P)

2. KRIEGS WHW-STRASSENSAMMLUNG
2nd WAR RELIEF STREET COLLECTION
(2nd Feb 1941)

A special handstamp was available in VIENNA on 1st and 2nd Feb 1941 to commemorate the 2nd Kriegs WHW street collection. There are two versions: one with a counter 'a' and the other a counter 'b'. In other parts of Germany the 2nd street collection was held on 25th and 26th Oct 1941.



ABOVE: Michel 751 with VIENNA special Handstamp (P)

7. WHW-REICHS STRASSENSAMMLUNG
2nd WHW STREET COLLECTION
(30th Mar 1941)

The following special handstamp was available in LEIPZIG on 30th Mar 1941 to commemorate the 7th German WHW street collection. Special handstamps were used in many cities.



ABOVE: Michel 745 with LEIPZIG special Handstamp (P)

WERBESCHAU der K.d.F SAMMLERGRUPPE
ADVERTISING SHOW of the KdF COLLECTORS GROUP
(20th Apr 1941)

This special cancel was used in 19 towns and cities.



ABOVE LEFT: EISLEBEN (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: ERFURT (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: HAMBURG (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: HEIDELBERG (P)



ABOVE LEFT: JÜLICH (P)

GROSSDEUTSCHER REICHSTAG
GREATER GERMAN REICHSTAG
(4th May 1941)

[BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 123. No. S315]

This cancellation commemorates the Greater German Reichstag (1938 until 26th Apr 1942). The design of the eagle with outstretched wings is the emblem of the Reichstag. This handstamp was used on 6th Oct 1939, 19th Jul 1940, 4th May 1941, 11th Dec 1941 and for the final time on 26th Apr 1942. Counters 'a', 'b' and 'c' were used on all five occasions. The 'a' counter has four variations but not all variations appear every year. The variations are as follows [More precise translation required]:

I: (1939 only): Large wreath with bounding circle, a bichel under the left tip of the plow, high legged eagle, small, narrow character 'a'.
II: (1939, 1940, 1941): Large wreath with adjacent circle, under the left wingtip without bichel, high legged eagle, small, narrow character 'a'
III: (1940, 1941): Large wreath without a bounding circle, short legged eagle, tall, narrow character 'a'
IV: (1942 only): Large wreath with adjacent circle, short legged eagle, large, wide character 'a'



ABOVE LEFT: Counter 'a' 4th May 1941 (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Counter 'b' 4th May 1941
ABOVE RIGHT: Counter 'c' 4th May 1941



ABOVE LEFT: Counter 'a' 11th Dec 1941 (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Counter 'b' 11th Dec 1941 (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Counter 'c' 11th Dec 1941

47. DEUTSCHER PHILATELISTENTAG
47th GERMAN PHILATELIST'S DAY
2nd/5th Oct 1941

There was only a single special handstamp used for the R.d.P sponsored 47th German Philatelist Day. The handstamp is inscribed "WIEN | 6 REICHS= | BUNDESTAG | 47 DEUTSCHER | PHILATELISTENTAG".

2. KRIEGS WHW-STRASSENSAMMLUNG
2nd WAR RELIEF STREET COLLECTION
(25th - 26th Oct 1941)

The following special handstamp was available in MUNICH on 25th and 26th Oct 1941 to commemorate the 2nd Kriegs WHW street collection.



ABOVE: Michel 745 with MÜNCHEN special Handstamp (P)(P)

EUROPAS EINHEITSFRONT GEGENDEN BOLSCHEWISMUS
EUROPE'S UNITED FRONT AGAINST BOLSHEVISM
(25th Nov 1941)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 131, No. 369.

The following special handstamp was used in BERLIN on 25th and 26th Nov 1941. Two versions are available: the first with a counter 'a' and the second with a counter 'b'. Both examples can be seen below.



ABOVE LEFT: Special handstamp counter 'a' (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Special handstamp counter 'b' (P)

REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL