GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1942)

This page was last updated
08-Mar-2023 07:30

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 1942 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 DEUTSCHEN POLIZEI
The DAY of GERMAN POLICE
(13th Feb 1942)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX



ABOVE: Special handstamp for the Day of German Police in VIENNA (P)

6th REICHS STREET COLLECTION FOR THE WHW
1st Mar 1942

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX

The special handstamp below was used in MÜNSTER from 28th Feb until 1st May 1942 to commemorate the 6th Reich's Street Collection for the 3rd War Winterhilfswerk charity. The image on the handstamp is "Der tolle Bomberg" - The Great Bomberg, a character in the novel of the same name by Josef Winckler.



ABOVE: Special handstamp used in STUTTGART (C)

TAG DER WEHRMACHT
THE DAY OF THE ARMED FORCES
29th Mar 1942

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX

There were two special handstamps used at DRESDEN N15 on 28th and 29th Mar 1942 to commemorate The Day of the Armed Forces. the first features a soldier's steel helmet surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and the second a soldier with a WHW collection box. No special stamp was issued to commemorate this event.

Another special handstamp was used in MUNICH on the same day and that is shown below.



ABOVE LEFT: Type 1 (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: Type 2
ABOV RIGHT: Handstamp from MUNICH (P)

GROSSDEUTSCHER REICHSTAG
GREATER GERMAN REICHSTAG
(26th Apr 1942)

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 here 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'
ABOVE CENTRE: Counter 'b'
ABOVE RIGHT: Counter 'c' (P)

SOVIET PARADISE EXHIBITION
(9th May - 21st Jun 1942)

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 131, No. 375 and Page 132, No. S376.

When the Soviet Paradise Exhibition arrived in BERLIN's Lustgarten there was a special handstamp used between 9th May and 21st Jun 1942. There are counters 'a' and 'b' as well as two varaitions, the difference being that Type I is thinner and tilted to the left, whereas Type II is thicker and more upright. In addition there was a rectangular slogan cancel with the same inscription.



ABOVE: Special handstamp counter 'a' for the Soviet Paradise Exhibition in BERLIN (P)

100 YEARS OF THE POST OFFICE
1st Jun 1942

BOCHMANN: Heft 3, Page 132, No. S378

The 100th Anniversary of the Post Office was commemorated in BERLIN SW11 by a single cancellation used only on 1st Jun 1942. No special stamp was issued to commemorate this event.

RED CROSS WINTER RELIEF (22nd/23rd Aug 1942)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX

This special handstamp was used in MUNICH on 22nd and 23rd Aug 1942 to commemorate the Red Cross War Winter Relief Charity.

EUROPÄISCHER JUGEND VERBAND
FOUNDATION DAY OF EUROPEAN YOUTH ORGANISATION
16th Sep 1942

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX

A special handstamp was used in VIENNA from 13th to 19th Sep 1942 to commemorate the Foundation Day of the European Youth Organisation. There were no special stamps but there was an official postcard P309 designed by E.R. Vogenaur that retailed for 15Rpf.

The handstamp is inscribed "WIEN | EUROPAISCHER | JUGEND VERBAND | GRÜNDUNGSTAGUNG" [BOCHMANN: Heft 22, Page 768, No 98]



ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)

5. TAG DER GROβDEUTSCHEN BRIEFMARKENHANDELS
5th DAY OF GREATER GERMAN STAMP DEALERS
5th/8th Nov 1942

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr X, Page: XXX, Number: XX

There was no stamp issued to commemorate the 5th Day of Greater German Stamp Dealers held in STUTTGART from 5th to 8th Nov 1942, but there was an official postcard and the special handstamp shown below.



ABOVE: Special handstamp (C)

GEORG RITTER VON SCHÖNERER EXHIBITION
(19th Dec 1942 / 14th Feb 1943)

BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 8, Page: 330, Number: S+19

This special handstamp was used to commemorate the Georg Ritter von Schönerer Exhibition held in Graz from 19th Dec 1942 until 14th Feb 1943. The inscription reads "GRAZ | 30.1.1943 | Georg Ritter von Schönerer | Künder UND | WEGBEREITER DES | GROSSDEUTSCHEN | REICHES | SCHöNERER-AUSSTELLUNG-JOANNEUM 19.DEZ.42-14.FEBR.43" - 'GRAZ | 01/30/1943 | Georg Ritter von Schönerer | Customer AND | PIONEER OF | GREAT GERMANS | RICH | SCHÖNERER-EXHIBITION-JOANNEUM 19.DEC.42-14.FEBR.43' and features an image of Georg Ritter.

There was only this one handstamp available and it was used from 19th Dec 1942 until 14th Feb 1943.



REFERENCES:
1. JULIUS BOCHMANN - KATALOG DER DEUTSCHEN GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL