GELEGENHEITSSTEMPEL
OPPORTUNITY STAMP - SPECIAL STAMP
(1943)
This page was last updated
14-Mar-2023 06:48
NOTE: This page contains details of special postmarks that are directly related to official stamps issued in 1943. 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 1943 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
10th Jan 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 828
RELATED POSTCARD:
As in previous years there was a special handstamp used to commemorate the Day of the Stamp in 1943. The design features the head of Mercury, and it was used in 27 different towns and cities.
ABOVE LEFT: TAG DER BRIEFMARKE 'MUNICH'
ABOVE RIGHT: TAG DER BRIEFMARKE 'VIENNA'
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
10th ANNIVERSARY of ASSUMPTION to POWER
30th Jan 1943
REFERENCES: BERLIN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 3, Page: 132, Number: S 385
GRAZ: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 8, Page: 330, Number: S 20
KRAKAU: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 11, Page: 447, Number: S 15
MÜNCHEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 16, Page: 561, Number: S 183
NÜRNBERG: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 16, Page: 597, Number: S 82
WIEN: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr 22, Page: 768 Number: S 104
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 829
RELATED POSTCARD:
The special handstamp used to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the assumption to power features a large swastika and the inscription "Führer befiehl - wir folgen Dir!" - 'The leader commands - we follow you!'. The handstamp was used in six towns and cities including BERLIN, GRAZ, KRAKAU, MÜNCHEN, NÜRNBERG and WIEN.
ABOVE LEFT: BERLIN 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: BERLIN 'b' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: BERLIN 'c' (P)
ABOVE RIGHT: BERLIN ‘d'
ABOVE LEFT: GRAZ (P)
ABOVE CENTRE LEFT: KRAKAU
ABOVE CENTRE RIGHT: MÜNCHEN 'a'
ABOVE RIGHT: MÜNCHEN 'b' (C) Click here for an example from my collection.
ABOVE RIGHT: NÜRNBERG (P)
ABOVE LEFT: WIEN 'a' (P)
ABOVE CENTRE: WIEN 'b'
ABOVE RIGHT: WIEN 'c'
54th BIRTHDAY of ADOLF HITLER
20th Apr 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 844 to 849
RELATED POSTCARD:
The special handstamp used to commemorate Hitler's 53rd birthday on 20th Apr 1943 was used in six towns and cities: AMSTERDAM, BERLIN, BRAUNAU, MUNCHEN, NURNBERG and WIEN.
Special handstamps, postcards and stamps were issued every year in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944 to commemorate his birthday.
ABOVE LEFT: AMSTERDAM (C) Example on cover from my collection
ABOVE CENTRE: BERLIN (C)
ABOVE RIGHT: BRANAU
ABOVE LEFT: MÜNCHEN
ABOVE CENTRE: NÜRNBERG
ABOVE RIGHT: WIEN
10. DAS BRAUNE BAND VON DEUTSCHLAND
10th BROWN RIBBON RACE
Jul 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 854
RELATED POSTCARD:
As in 1942 two special handstamps were used. The first was only used on 25th Jul 1942 and commemorates the "MÜNCHEN-REIM | DEUTSCHER ALTENPRIES 1943" - 'GERMAN ALPINE RACE' and features two horses racing.
The second handstamp has the same design as the commemorative stamp with a horseman blowing a bugle. The inscription reads "MÜNCHEN-REIM | DAS BRAUNE BAND VON DEUTSCHLAND 1943" and was only used on 1st Aug 1943.
There was also a rectangular slogan cancel which featured two horse riders racing and the inscription "Internationaler Tag des | Hindernis sportes | 25.Juli 1943 | 1 Aug 1943 | Tag des | Braunen Bandes v. Deutschland" - 'International Day of | Obstacle sports | July 25, 1943 | 1 Aug 1943 | day of | Brown Ribbon v. Germany'
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
100. TODESTAG DER PETER ROSSEGER
BIRTH CENTENARY of PETER ROSEGGER
27th Jul 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 855 and 856
RELATED POSTCARD:
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
GROβER PRIES VON WIEN
The VIENNA DERBY
14th Aug 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 857 and 858
RELATED POSTCARD:
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
10. JAHRE WINTERHILFSWERK
10th ANNIVERSARY of the WINTER RELIEF FUND
1st Sep 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 859
RELATED POSTCARD:
There was a special slogan cancel used to commemorate 10 years of the Winter Relief Charity used from 5th Dec 1943 until 19th Apr 1944 in 76 different cities.
11. DEUTSCHE GOLDSCHMIEDEKUNST
11th ANNIVERSARY of GERMAN GOLDSMITH'S SOCIETY
1st Oct 1943
RELATED STAMPS: Michel 860 and 861 RELATED POSTCARD: P296
There were two different special handstamps used in HANAU in 1943.
FIRST SPECIAL HANDSTAMP:
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr. 10, Page: 367, Number: S 11
The first handstamp is a simple design bearing an image of the Gold Smith's House in HANAU and the text "HANAU | Das Deutsche Goldschmeidehaus" - 'HANAU the German Goldsmith's House'. This cancel was used in 1943 and 1944 and exists only with a counter 'a'
SECOND SPECIAL HANDSTAMP:
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: Heft Nr. 10, Page: 367, Number: S 12
The second special handstamp was only used on one day, 18th Oct 1943, and it also has an image of the Goldsmith's House. This time however the inscription reads "HANAU | 18.10.1943 | Jahrestag der Einweihung | des Deutschen Goldschmiedhauses" - 'HANAU | 10/18/1943 | anniversary of the inauguration | of the German goldsmith house'. This handstamp has no counter letter.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
800. JAHRE HANSESTADT LÜBECK
800th ANNIVERSARY of HANSESTADT LÜBECK
24th Oct 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 862
RELATED POSTCARD:
Another special handstamp that was only used for a single day (24th Oct 1943), was issued to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of the foundation of Lübeck. The special handstamp compliments the special commemorative Michel 862 stamp which depicts the "Holstentor" or Holsten Gate.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (P)
20. JAHRESTAG DES MARSCHES ZUR FELDHERNHALLE MÜNCHEN
20th ANNIVERSARY of the BEER HALL PUTSCH
9th Nov 1943
REFERENCE: BOCHMANN: RELATED STAMPS: Michel 863
RELATED POSTCARD:
The 20th Anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch was remembered in 1943 by the special handstamp shown below as well as a commemorative stamp, Michel 863. The handstamp was only used on the day itself, 9th Nov 1943.
ABOVE: Special handstamp (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
