GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1941)

This page was last updated
11-May-2023 12:54

NOTE: This page contains details of special postmarks that are directly related to official stamps issued in 1941. 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 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

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN:
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 762
RELATED POSTCARD: P241

There were 10 different special handstamps for the Day of the Stamp in 1940 all with a distinctly military theme. They were used in Multiple towns and cities.



ABOVE LEFT: HAMBURG (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: DUSSELDORF (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: BERLIN (P)

ZWEI VOLKER UND EIN KAMPF
GERMAN / ITALIAN FRATERNITY
30th Jan 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: VARIOUS
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 763
RELATED POSTCARD: There was no official postcard published but at least one private postcard was available.

On 30th Jan 1941 a commemorative postage stamp was issued to mark one of the many meeting held between Hitler and his Italian counterpart Benito Mussolini. A special identical handstamp was used in BERLIN, VIENNA and MUNICH just for one day on the 30th Jan. Only the official Michel 763 comemmorative stamp was permitted to be cancelled with this handstamp.


1. BERLIN: REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 3, Page: 128, Number: S 350
The BERLIN handstamp can be found with one of three counters: 'a', 'b' or 'c'.



ABOVE LEFT: BERLIN handstamp counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE: BERLIN handstamp counter 'b'
ABOVE RIGHT: BERLIN handstamp counter 'c'


2. MÜNCHEN: REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 16, Page: 559, Number: S 156
The special handstamp used in Munich was identical to that of BERLIN only now with additional "HAUPTSTADT DER BEWEGUNG" text. Two variations exist: counter 'a' and counter 'b'.



ABOVE LEFT: MÜNCHEN handstamp counter 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: MÜNCHEN handstamp counter 'b'


3. WIEN: REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 22, Page: 765, Number: S 72
The WIEN special handstamp is identical in design to that used in BERLIN and MUNICH. The handstamp can be found with one of three different counters: 'a', 'b' or 'c'



ABOVE LEFT: WIEN handstamp counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE: WIEN handstamp counter 'b'
ABOVE RIGHT: WIEN handstamp counter 'c'

LEIPZIG REICHSMESSESTADT
LEIPZIG SPRING FAIR
1st/7th Mar 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN:
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 764 to 767
RELATED POSTCARD:

As in 1940 there were 6 special handstamps that were used from 1st to 7th Mar to commemorate the 1941 Leipzig Spring Fair.



ABOVE LEFT: Inscribed "MESSEHAUS | HANDELSHOF" (Trade Hall)
ABOVE CENTRE: Inscribed "MESSEHAUS | PETERSHOF" (Peter's Hall) (C) Example on cover
ABOVE RIGHT: Inscribed “PRESSE-POSTAMT | HAUS DER NATIONEN" (Press Office in House of Nations)



ABOVE LEFT: Inscribed "RING MESSHAUS" (Ring Fair Hall) (C) Example on cover
ABOVE CENTRE: Inscribed "MESSHAUS | STADT KAUFHAUS" (City Merchant's Hall)
ABOVE RIGHT: Inscribed “EULITZ- | HAUS" (Eulitz Fair Hall)

In addition there were two slogan postmarks one used only in LEIPZIG and the other used in other towns



ABOVE LEFT: Slogan cancel used in LEIPZIG only
ABOVE RIGHT: Slogan cancel used in other towns and cities (COMING SOON)

WEINER FRÜHJAHRSMESSE
VIENNA SPRING FAIR
(9th/16th Mar 1941)

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 22, Page: 766, Number: 74
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 768 to 771
RELATED POSTCARD: No official postcard was published to commemorate the fair.

As well as the four commemorative stamps, Michel 768 to 771, there was also a single handstamp and a single slogan cancel available to mark the fair. There are several versions of the special cancellation as follows:

1. 'WIEN': Type 'A', counter 'b'
2. 'WIEN': Type 'B', counter 'c'
3. 'WIEN': Type 'A', counter 'e'
4. 'WIEN 28': Type 'A', counter 'c'
5. 'WIEN 68': Type 'B', counter '* R *'
6. 'WIEN 76': Type 'A', counter 'b'
7. 'WIEN 101': Type 'A', counter 'a'
8. 'WIEN 101': Type 'A', counter 'b'
9. 'WIEN 101': Type 'A', counter 'c'
10. 'WIEN 101': Type 'B', counter 'c'



ABOVE LEFT: Special Handstamp WIEN counter 'e' (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Slogan cancel

52nd BIRTHDAY of ADOLF HITLER
20th Apr 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: VARIOUS
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 772
RELATED POSTCARD: A series of eight official postcards was issued to commemorate Hitler's 51st birthday.

The special handstamp used to commemorate Hitler's 52nd birthday on 20th Apr 1941 was used in four cities: Berlin, Munich, Obersalzberg and Vienna. I don't know why Nürnberg did not use its own special cancel as in previous and succeeding years. The use of this special handstamp was only permitted on the Michel 772 commemorative postage stamp.

Special handstamps, postcards and stamps were issued every year in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944 to commemorate Hitler's birthday.


1. BERLIN. REFERENCE BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 3, Page: 129, Number: S 360
There were five variations of the handstamp used in BERLIN. The first inscribed "BERLIN" and an 'a' counter. The second 'BERLIN C2' with an 'a' counter. The third 'BERLIN NW7' with a 'b' counter. The fourth 'BERLIN W9' with a 'c' counter and finally 'BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 2' with a 'd' counter.



ABOVE LEFT: 1. "BERLIN" - counter 'a' (COMING SOON)
ABOVE CENTRE: 2. "BERLIN C2" - counter 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: 3. "BERLIN NW7" - counter 'b'



ABOVE LEFT: 4. "BERLIN W9" - counter 'c'
ABOVE CENTRE: 5. "BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG 2" - counter 'd'



2. MUNICH. REFERENCE BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 16, Page: 559, Number: S 159
An identical special handstamp with two variants was used in Munich. This handstamp has either an 'a' or a 'b' counter.



ABOVE LEFT: 1. "MÜNCHEN" - counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE: 2. "MÜNCHEN" - counter 'b'


3. OBERSALZBURG, REFERENCE BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 17, Page: 603, Number: S 2
The special handstamp used in OBERSALZBURG was the second of only two used there during the Nazi period. The design is the same as for the other cities but there is only one version.



ABOVE: OBERSALZBURG (P)


4. WIEN, REFERENCE BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 22, Page: 766, Number: S 81
The Vienna special handstamp exists with either an 'a', 'b' or 'c' counter and shares the same design as the other handstamps.



ABOVE LEFT: WIEN - counter 'a'
ABOVE LEFT: WIEN - counter 'b'
ABOVE LEFT: WIEN - counter 'c'

72. GROSSER DEUTSCHLAND PRIES DER DREIJÄHRIGEN
72nd GERMAN DERBY
29th Jun 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nt 10, Page: 358, Number: S 114
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 779
RELATED POSTCARD:

As in previous years a commemorative postage stamp Michel 779 was issued to mark the 72nd running of the German Derby. A special handstamp was also available on 22nd, 25th, 27th and 29th Jun (raceday). On each of the four days counters 'a', 'b', 'c' and 'd' were used.



ABOVE LEFT: 22nd Jun counter 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: 22nd Jun counter 'b' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: 22nd Jun counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: 22nd Jun counter 'd' (P)



ABOVE LEFT: 25th Jun counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: 25th Jun conter 'b'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: 25th Jun counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: 25th Jun counter 'd'



ABOVE LEFT: 27th Jun counter 'a'
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: 27th Jun conter 'b'
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: 27th Jun counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: 27th Jun counter 'd'



ABOVE LEFT: 29th Jun counter 'a'(P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: 29th Jun counter 'b' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: 29th Jun counter 'c'
ABOVE RIGHT: 29th Jun counter 'd' (P)

8. BRAUNE BAND VON DEUTSCHLAND
8th BROWN RIBBON OF GERMANY
26th Jun/27th Jul 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: VARIOUS (see below)
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 780
RELATED POSTCARD: There were no official postcards issued to commemorate the event but there was a private postcard.

The 8th running of the Brown Ribbon of Germany race saw the issue of a commemorative postage stamp Michel 780, two special handstamps (used on 20th and 27th Jul) and a slogan cancel used only in BERLIN and MUNICH.


1. BOCHMANN: REFERENCE: Heft Nr 16, Page 559, Number: S 162.
The first special handstamp is inscribed "MÜNCHEN-RIEM | Internationaler-Tag-Des- Hindernis Sportes | 20.7.41" - 'MÜNICH-RIEM | International Day Of Obstacle Courses | 20.7.41', features two race horses galloping for the finish line, and was only used on the 20th Jul. Only permitted for use on semi-postal stamps.



ABOVE: S 162 - Handstamp used on 20th Jul


2. BOCHMANN: REFERENCE: Heft Nr 16, Page 560, Number: S 163.
The second special handstamp is inscribed "MÜNCHEN-RIEM | Das Braune Band von Deutschland 1941 | 27.7.1941" - 'MUNICH-RIEM | The Brown Ribbon of Germany 1941 | 27.7.1941', features two Amazonians on race horses and was only used on 27th Jul. Only permitted for use on semi-postal stamps.



ABOVE: S 163 - Handstamp used on 27th Jul


3. BOCHMANN: REFERENCE: Heft Nr 25, Page 839, Number: S 378.
The third special cancel is a slogan cancel used only in BERLIN and MUNICH from 27th Jun until 27th Jul 1941. The inscription reads "Internationale Rennwochen | Munchen | 5.-27. | Juli | 1941 | Braunes Band von Deutschland"



ABOVE LEFT: Berlin Slogan cancel
ABOVE RIGHT: Munich Slogan cancel

GROSSER PREIS DER REICHSHAUPTSTADT
BERLIN GRAND PRIX RACE
14th Sep 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: (See Below)
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 803
RELATED POSTCARD: There was no official postcard commemorating the event

The third of the major horse racing events of 1941 was the Berlin Grand Prix held at HOPPEGARTEN just outside of BERLIN. There were two special handstamp used.


1. BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page 394, Number: S 2. There are two variants of this handstamp: Type I uses 'ss' in the word "Grosser" whereas the Type II uses "β" in the word "Groβer". They were both only used for one day on the day of the race 14th Sep 1941.



ABOVE LEFT: Type I Handstamp with 'ss' in 'Grosser' (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Type II Handstamp with 'β' in 'Groβer' (P)


2. BOCHMANN: Heft Nr: 10, Page 395, Number: S 3.
This handstamp was only used for one day on the day of the race 14th Sep 1941.

[More Information Required]



ABOVE:

WIENER MESSE
VIENNA FAIR
21st/28th Sep 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN:
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 804 and 805
RELATED POSTCARD:

The Vienna Fair of 1941 saw the issue of two commemorative postage stamps, two very similar special handstamps and a slogan cancellation. The special handstamp below-left (inscribed "Messepalast"), was used from 21st to 28th Sep and the second (inscribed "Gelande der Technischen Messe"), below-centre, was used from 19th to 28th Sep.

The slogan cancel (inscribed "1921 1941 | 20 Jahre | Wiener Messe | Herbstmesse 21-28. Sept."), below-right was only used from 21st to 28th Sep 1941.



ABOVE LEFT: Handstamp used from 21st to 28th Sep
ABOVE CENTRE: Handstamp used from 19th to 28th Sep
ABOVE RIGHT: Slogan cancel

ANNEXATION of CARINTHIA, STYRIA and KRAIN
29th Sep 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN:
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 806 to 809
RELATED POSTCARD:

To complement the four commemorative postage stamps there was also a series of four special handstamps. Each of the postage stamps has a related special handstamp, one each for MARBURG, VELDES, PETTAU and MEISTERN. The handstamps feature the coat of arms of each town as well as a Swastika and the inscription "DEUTSCHE FUR IMMER!" - 'GERMAN FOREVER'



ABOVE LEFT: MARBURG Handstamp (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: VELDES Handstamp (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: PETTAU Handstamp (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: MEISTERN Handstamp (P)

150. TODESTAG MOZART
150th ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH OF MOZART
28th Nov/5th Dec 1941

REFERENCE: BOCHMANN:
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 810
RELATED POSTCARD:

In addition to the commemorative stamp Michel 810, there were two related special handstamps available. The first handstamp was available only in SALZBURG (The city where Mozart was born), and only for one day on the 5th Dec 1941. The second handstamp was used to commemorate Mozart Week held in Vienna from 28th Nov until 5th Dec 1941.

A somewhat related third special cancel was also used in the occupied city of KRAKAU which celebrated Mozart Day from 8th to 14th Dec 1941.



ABOVE LEFT: Handstamp used in SALZBURG (Coming Soon)
ABOVE CENTRE: Handstamp used in VIENNA (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: Handstamp used in KRAKAU

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