1 In this Christmas Bonus issue : DEAR MEMBER: The 2018 G&C.P.S. AGM at Stoke & The Third Reich Study Group Meeting on 10 th November 2018 Reports by Tony Hickey & Steve Clark – pages 2 thru 4 STATE of the MEMBERSHIP: Our growing list of New Members to the Group – page 5 ENQUIRIES: ‘New Enquiries’ and ‘Results of Enquiries’ – pages 5 & 6 A LOOK AT A HIGH VALUE INSURANCE PARCEL CARD & COVER: From the collection of Rex Dixon – page 7 GERMANY IN TURMOIL 1918-1933, THE RISE OF NATIONAL SOCIALISM: Final part in a three-part series from a display by Tony Hickey – pages 6 thru 9 OVERPRINTED POLISH STAMPS FOR USE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT: The final part in a three part series by Bob Jones – pages 10 thru 16 INCORRECT MICHEL ISSUE DATES: A look into the stamp issue dates given by ‘Michel’ by Ian Nickson – page 17 thru 21 A GENERAL GOVERNMENT PARCEL CARD: A parcel card sent to the Concentration Camp at Flossenbürg – page 21 GERHARD ZUCKER’S ‘ROCKET MAIL STAMPS’: A look into the pioneer of ‘Rocket Mail’ by Steve Clark – pages 22 thru 26 CUMULATIVE INDEX FOR 2018: An index to all the articles from the News Sheet in 2018 – page 27 DIARY DATES & EPILOGUE: The schedule for upcoming local meetings of the G & C.P.S. around the regions and a brief note from the editor with upcoming articles planned for the March 2019 issue of our News Sheet – page 28 The Third Reich Study Group NEWS SHEET Group Leader: John Rawlings, 58 Crantock Road, Catford, London SE6 2QP December 2018 No. 175
Transcript
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In this Christmas Bonus issue :
DEAR MEMBER: The 2018 G&C.P.S. AGM at Stoke &
The Third Reich Study Group Meeting on 10th November 2018 Reports by Tony Hickey & Steve Clark – pages 2 thru 4
STATE of the MEMBERSHIP:
Our growing list of New Members to the Group – page 5
ENQUIRIES: ‘New Enquiries’ and ‘Results of Enquiries’ – pages 5 & 6
A LOOK AT A HIGH VALUE INSURANCE PARCEL CARD & COVER:
From the collection of Rex Dixon – page 7
GERMANY IN TURMOIL 1918-1933, THE RISE OF NATIONAL SOCIALISM: Final part in a three-part series from a display by Tony Hickey – pages 6 thru 9
OVERPRINTED POLISH STAMPS FOR USE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
The final part in a three part series by Bob Jones – pages 10 thru 16
INCORRECT MICHEL ISSUE DATES: A look into the stamp issue dates given by ‘Michel’ by Ian Nickson – page 17 thru 21
A GENERAL GOVERNMENT PARCEL CARD:
A parcel card sent to the Concentration Camp at Flossenbürg – page 21
GERHARD ZUCKER’S ‘ROCKET MAIL STAMPS’: A look into the pioneer of ‘Rocket Mail’ by Steve Clark – pages 22 thru 26
CUMULATIVE INDEX FOR 2018:
An index to all the articles from the News Sheet in 2018 – page 27
DIARY DATES & EPILOGUE: The schedule for upcoming local meetings of the G & C.P.S. around the regions and a brief note from the editor with upcoming articles planned for the March 2019 issue
of our News Sheet – page 28
The Third Reich Study Group
NEWS SHEETGroup Leader:
John Rawlings, 58 Crantock Road, Catford, London SE6 2QP
December 2018No. 175
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Dear Member
Annual AGM Meeting From Friday 5th to Sunday 7th October the annual G & C.P.S. AGM at the Best Western Stoke-on-Trent Moat House took place. Friday (the opening day) two displays were available to view beginning with “Memel / National Socialism in Austria 1919 – 1934” by Tony Hickey followed by “Hamburg - America Line – Sea and Cruise Mail” by John Rawlings. Saturday started off with a “Stamp Fair” with five dealers attending; Dave Foster, Stephen Holder, ‘Cover Love’ (Roy Holliss) and Steve Reeves (Ray Houghton was a scheduled dealer but withdrew due to illness – he is O.K. now). Later that morning a free excursion to a guided tour of “The World of Wedgewood” museum was laid on. In the afternoon the display by members began, with most being of Third Reich interest. Displays are listed below.
Presenter Display
Tony Hickey - (Friday) Memel / National Socialism in Austria 1919 – 1934
John Rawlings - (Friday) Hamburg – America Line – Sea and Cruise Mail
Geoff Richardson - Third Reich parcel cards used in Austria
Wesley Tierney - POW mail
Rex Dixon - Sudeten crisis, September 1938
Giles du Boulay - Danzig ‘Studentica’
Six of the presenters (from left to right) Mike Dadds, Geoff Reynolds, Ray Welland, Robin Pizer, Rex Dixon and Giles du Boulay.
Geoff Richardson and his display of Third Reich parcel cards used in Austria.
Wesley Tierney and his first G & C.P.S. display on the subject of POW Mail.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Dear Member (cont.) Saturday evening saw the members enjoying a ‘Gala Dinner’. The wine flowed and ‘real ale’ from Lymehouse Brewery of Stone was specially supplied for our event. The usual raffle was run and many prizes won.
After breakfast on Sunday an auction was held by our auctioneer Mike Farrant in the ‘Wells’ room with some 196 lots available. All-in-all another great weekend was had by members of the G & C.P.S. and hopefully we will all meet again at next years affair. At the moment, Coventry has been suggested for the 2019 AGM with confirmation of dates to be announced on the G & C.P.S. website, in ‘Germania’ (the quarterly journal of the G & C.P.S.) and here in our own quarterly News Sheet. Photos by Dane Garrod Report by Tony Hickey (President of the G & C.P.S.)
The Third Reich Study Group Meeting
London, 10th November 2018 An attendance of 19 TRSG members at the Civil Service Club on 10th November 2018 were rewarded with an awesome display by Albert Jackson of the Austrian ‘Anschluss’. Most members will be familiar with Albert’s interest and knowledge of General Government philately, but this was perhaps the first time that those present were fortunate to view his Anschluss collection. In the first half of the display, Albert described the post WW1 relationship between the German and Austrian nations and, through various plebiscites, the desire for unity. However, this alliance was not permitted and subsequently led to the invalidity of any Austrian and German stamps / postal stationery, etc. that promoted union of the 2 nations. In addition, Albert showed various propaganda postcards that also demanded unity, but these were largely ignored by the Allies. The display described the existing political parties in Austria and the gradual rise in power of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, who was subsequently murdered by the Austrian National Socialist Party in 1934. Hitler's ambition to invade and annex Austria finally came to fruition in March 1938.
The members and guests gather before the dinner.
Appreciative applause for another successful event.
Albert setting up his display at the meeting.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Dear Member (cont.)
The second half of Albert’s display i.e. the ‘Anschluss Period’ illustrated the profuse effort made through German propaganda to promote a plebiscite for acceptance of union with Germany. This included various caches, cancellations and handstamps on items of mail and the efforts made to ensure that all Austrian citizens were able to vote.
The final section of the display related to the problems encountered with the three-phased change of Austrian to German postal rates. This was (and can still be) a very challenging task that Albert enjoys and relishes! A vote of thanks was given by John Rawlings for Albert’s political story of the Anschluss, which from a philatelic point of view has plenty of issues to consider, discuss, analyse and hopefully add to TRSG knowledge of this fascinating subject.
Report and photos by Steve Clark
Orders for ‘Hard Copies’ It is that time again where members wishing to receive the printed ‘hard copy’ of our News Sheet should think about sending their subscription to me. I am keeping the costs for 2019 the same as for 2018 with any and all extras paid by myself. So the costs for the ‘hard copy’ including postage (U.K.) will be £16.40 for the 4 quarterly News Sheets.
Important Notice All personal cheques sent to me for the purchase of CDs or payment for hard copies of the News Sheet should be made out to me personally and sent to my home address: Robert Jones, 45 Durham Avenue, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 1RE.
Thank you.
Attendees at the meeting admiring Albert’s display.
Three cards from Albert’s display: (Left) A card from the ‘Promoting the Anschluss’ section of the display. (Centre) This card nicely illustrates the power struggle between the Austrian National Socialists and the left-wing Social Democratic Party. (Right) This card is from the series, Liberated Ostmark, and shows the Austrian Chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, being driven out of office by the Nazis.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
State of the Membership New Members We would like to welcome the following new members to our Study Group. They are: Gary Holcomb - Nanaimo, BC, V9T 3E8, Canada
Due to my error in the last ‘New Members’ section, Robert Margerison should not have appeared as a member and has therefore requested to be removed. Sorry for the mistake Robert. Ed.
Enquiries New Enquiries Enq. 6/18 Our member from India, Sachin Joshi, got in touch again with another query about the use of the
‘Newspaper’ stamps. The cover, shown below, was sent from Lorch to Seattle, Washington in 1939. Sachin wrote: “Please find attached another cover. In this cover also there are no censor marks, and
this has been shipped to USA but there is no cancellation of USA. How exactly shipment of newspaper and magazine which were sent outside Germany worked.” (It would also be nice to find out when the 3 cachets were applied and by whom. Ed.)
Enq. 7/18 One of our members, Bob Holland, does not have computer access to the internet and has asked me to
see if any of our members in the U.K. would know of any shop(s) (in the U.K.) that sells Third Reich propaganda cards etc. If any member can help him out, please send any addresses to me at [email protected] and I can write to him with the list (hopefully) that I will have.
121 Our total membership now stands at:
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Results of Enquiries Enq. 3/18 After my initial enquiry in our June News Sheet about the ‘One Pot Meal’ cards, another has been sent
in by our member Bob Holland. The front of the card now has the symbol of the ‘NSV’ or Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt (National Socialist People’s Welfare) at top left and the second line of text reads ‘Gauamt Hamburg’ instead of just ‘Gau Hamburg’ (see below).
The text on the back of the card is by Interior Minister
Wilhelm Frick and translates as “Help is no shame - but to not help when you can (is). One Pot Meal 1935/36”. Dates shown in the ‘heart’ shape correspond with 1935/36.
Enq. 4/18 After my own enquiry in the last News Sheet about the origins of an envelope with printing by the
Reichspost, I found the answer in Hanspeter Frech’s Ganzsachen-Handbuch des “Dritten Reiches” (2014). According to his book he describes the envelopes (in translation) as: “Anyone who bought special stamps at a post office counter was usually given a bag for storage and safe transport. Shown here is such packaging material that, thanks to its advertising for female workers at the Reichspost, is best dated to the period after 1939. It was natural to use a protective paper bag for the delivery of postage stamps via machines”.
I have since picked up another of these envelopes (shown above). I was kind of surprised that the
answer was found in Hanspeter’s book because I had even written a review of his book in News Sheet No.162 from September 2015 and still had never realised that there was an illustration of two of these and a brief explanation of their use. That will teach me to look a little closer! Ed.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
High Insurance Parcel Card & Cover In our last News Sheet (September), Tony Hickey reported on one of Rex Dixon’s displays, and remarked on a parcel card that he described as ‘Perhaps the highlight was a parcel insured for 100,000 RM plastered with 100 Rpf stamps. Rex kindly got in touch and sent me scans of both sides the card. As this is probably the highest insurance I have seen on a parcel card, I thought you all might want to see it. So here it is:
Rex also wrote the 21.05 RM rate analysis is (for 18.5.1940):
Parcel to 5kg period 5 zone 2 0.40 Delivery fee 0.15 Handling fee over 100 RM 0.50 Insurance for 100,000 RM: 200×10Rpf 20.00 After seeing this card, Rex also sent a scan of a cover that was insured for 421,000 RM. It has 17×5 RM stamps affixed (see below). The postal rate of 84.94 RM for this 88½g letter works out as (for 26.11.1944):
Inland letter 20-500g 0.24 Handling fee (for over 100 RM) 0.50 Insurance for 421,000 RM: 842×10 Rpf 84.20
The sender overpaid by 6pf for convenience
If any members have any parcel cards or covers insured for more, please send copies so we may all see them. Ed.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Germany in Turmoil 1918 – 1933
The Rise of National Socialism by Tony Hickey
Part 3 The Young plan: After the Wall Street Crash of October 1929, it became clear that Germany, due to the deepening depression and the loss of short term loans from America, was finding it increasingly difficult to pay reparations. The Young Plan, presented by American industrialist Owen Young, was a programme for settling German reparation debt over a longer period and formally adopted at a Hague Conference in January 1930. Germany was to pay 34,500,000 million gold marks by 1988, but at the Lausanne Conference in 1932 it was agreed that one last payment of only 3,000,000 was to be paid.
In 1919 the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was the largest political party with 37% of the vote, fully supporting the Weimar Republic. In turn it was supported by the industrial working class and sections of the lower middle class. By 1930 the SDP’s share of the vote had been eroded to 21%, mainly to the benefit of the Communists and National Socialists. Hitler’s problem, after years of campaigning and paying his private army the S.A., was the lack of funds to continue the struggle to achieve power. The National Socialists approached big businesses to help sponsor their organisation assuring them that the defeat of the communists and to curb the unions were essential parts of the party’s manifesto. Although there were no elections during 1931, Hitler was now attracting funds to continue the struggle. In 1932 Hindenburg’s presidential term of office ended and new elections for the post were contested. Under duress, Hindenburg, at the age of 84, was coerced into standing again on the 31st March against Hitler, Thälmann (communist), Winter (?) and Duesterberg (DNVP). Hindenburg won the 1st round with 18,650,000 votes, Hitler 11,340,000 and Thälmann 4,980,000.
This stylized postcard, at left, designed by E v Haardt in 1931, depicts a Blacksmith (NSDAP) forging the head of an SDP (on his forehead) worker into that of a National Socialist.
On the 2nd round on the 10th April 1932 the results were:
Although Hitler had been residing in Germany since 1913, he had not applied for German citizenship and so was not eligible to run for president. On the 25th February 1932 the state government of Brunswick had appointed him to a minor government position which automatically made him a citizen of Germany and then eligible to run. Chancellor Brunning’s 2nd coalition government was dissolved in May 1932 and von Papen was appointed by Hindenburg to form a government. He immediately dissolved the Reichstag and called for new elections on the 31st July in which the NDSAP emerged as the largest party. Hitler was asked to join the new government but he refused unless he was offered the chancellorship. Papen’s cabinet was heavily defeated in a “No Confidence” vote on the 12th September and as a result was dismissed on the 17th November and another “Presidential Cabinet” under General Kurt von Schleicher, the former Minister of Defence, was appointed by Hindenburg on the 3rd December.
On the 10th April think about the future of your children
Vote Hindenburg
Hammer and Anvil
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Germany in Turmoil 1918 – 1933, The Rise of National Socialism (cont.) Schleicher attempted to bring the NSDAP into his government by appointing Gregor Strasser, a close associate of Hitler’s, as Vice Chancellor. This was blocked by Hitler and other high ranking National Socialists. Hitler was infuriated with Strasser for negotiating with Schleicher as he was trying to destabilise the government, and, as by far the largest political party, force Hindenburg to appoint him Chancellor. Strasser was excluded from the party and forced to withdraw from active politics. He was arrested and murdered during the 1934 “Night of the Long Knives”. Gregor Strasser’s younger brother Otto was also a leading National Socialist but, after several disagreements with Hitler, was expelled from the party in 1930. Luckily for Otto he left Germany to reside in Austria, then Prague and later Switzerland to escape Hitler’s vengeance.
Schleicher’s government was short lived falling victim to a German National censor motion in January 1933. He requested the dissolution of the Reichstag followed by a limited period of unconstitutional government. On the 30th January Hindenburg, fearing further elections and instability, refused and instead, after lengthy discussions with von Papen, appointed Hitler as Chancellor with von Papen as Vice Chancellor (to keep Hitler under control). There were also restrictions on the number of NSDAP cabinet members. The new government was formed as a “Presidential Cabinet” as Hitler had insisted on elections on the 5th March, much against Hindenburg’s wishes. Even these elections, which were held under conditions of extreme intimidation, were inconclusive with the National Socialists gaining 43.9% of the vote.
In 1933 Hitler wasted no time in changing the image of government in preparation for his “One Party State”:
1st February - Dissolution of the Reichstag.
4th February - Decree for the Protection of the German People. Restrictions on the press and the freedom of assembly.
27th February - The Reichstag Fire.
28th February - Hitler given emergency powers.
3rd March - Thälmann arrested.
2nd May - Dissolution of Free Trade Unions.
Germany had had 14 years of political instability – Worse was to come.
The Dawning of a New Era
The Awakening of a Nation
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government
by Bob Jones
Part 3:
Second provisional issues: Stamps and Postal Stationery of Poland overprinted for use in the General Government
Issued: 8th March 1940.
Valid until: 30th November 1941.
Design: 1939 Stamps of Poland (Mi 355) Polish Independence issue.
Printing: Overprint in black at the State Printing Works, Vienna for use in the General Government.
Format: Sheets of 100 (10 × 10).
Watermark: None.
Perforation: 12½ x 12¾.
Gum: Yellowish smooth.
Values: (Mi 33) 12(Gr) on 15Gr orange-brown: (Mi 34) 16(Gr) on 15Gr orange-brown:
King Władysław II Jagiełło & Queen Hedwig. same as (Mi 33).
Varieties: (Mi 33 I) Type I - Wide space between numerals and text (normal). (Mi 33 II) Type II - Narrow space (0.75mm) between numerals and text. (Mi 34 a) Overprint in violet-black. (Mi 34 b) Overprint in dull deep black.
Philatelic interest: The overprints used for these values are both type ‘e’. A further stamp from the set issued by the Polish P.O. for the 20th Anniversary of Polish Independence was again used. It was the 15Gr value and depicted the following:-
Type I Type II
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) 15Gr King Władysław Jagiello and Queen Jadwiga: Władysław Jagiello and Queen Jadwiga reigned as co-monarchs; and though Jadwiga probably had little real power, she took an active part in Poland’s political and cultural life. King Władysław Jagiello’s most famous military victory was at the Battle of Grunwald (15th July 1410) during the Polish-Lithuanian – Teutonic War. This battle was also known as the 1st Battle of Tannenberg. The battle shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe and marked the rise of the Polish–Lithuanian union as the dominant political and military force in the region. The battle was one of the largest battles in Medieval Europe and is regarded as the most important victory in the history of Poland and Lithuania.
Issued: 8th March 1940.
Valid until: 30th November 1941.
Design: 1938 Stamps of Poland (Mi P 95, P 96, P 97, P 98, P 99) Polish Postage Dues.
Printing: Overprint in black at the State Printing Works, Vienna for use in the General Government.
Format: Sheets of 100 (10 × 10).
Watermark: None.
Perforation: 12½ x 12.
Gum: Yellowish smooth.
Values: (Mi 35) 50(Gr) on 20Gr dark blue-green: (Mi 36) 50(Gr) on 25Gr dark blue-green: (Mi 37) 50(Gr) on 30Gr dark blue-green: (Mi 38) 50(Gr) on 50Gr dark blue-green: (Mi 39) 50(Gr) on 1Zl dark blue-green:
Numeral ‘20’ with ‘network’ background. Numeral ‘25’ with ‘network’ background. Numeral ‘30’ with ‘network’ background. Numeral ‘50’ with ‘network’ background. Numeral ‘1’ with ‘network’ background.
Varieties: None listed in the Michel catalogue. Philatelic interest: The overprint used on these stamps is type ‘k’.
Type ‘k’: ‘General Gouvernement’ in two lines with
single obliteration bars either side of ‘General’ above a Reich eagle with
value either side of wreathed swastika. The postage due stamps used for overprinting were part of a 8 stamp set first issued to the Polish P.O. for use on 25th November 1938. The first 3 values from this set (5, 10 & 15Gr) were not used for overprinting.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) Postal stationery: Polish postal covers and postal cards were also overprinted for use in the General Government. These are shown below:
Issued: February 1940.
Valid until: End of German occupation.
Design: 1938 Polish postal cover (Mi U 11) with ‘Jagiello’ indicia in violet.
Printing: Overprint in black at the State Printing Works, Vienna for use in the General Government.
Format: Nominal size 155mm × 100mm.
Value: (Mi U 1) 24Gr on 25Gr violet.
Varieties: None listed in the Michel catalogue. Philatelic interest: The type of overprint used on these postal covers is type ‘l’. These postal covers were sold for 30Gr.
Mi U 1
Mi P 3 I Mi P 4
Original ‘Jagiello’
indicia. Type ‘l’:
‘General Gouvernement’ in two lines with three obliteration bars at either side of ‘General’
above a Reich eagle with feathers on body with value and denomination at bottom.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) Issued: February 1940.
Valid until: 30th November 1941.
Design: 1938 Polish postal cards with ‘Mościcki’ indicia in dark green-grey to dark blue-grey (Mi P 77) & ‘Jagiello’ indicia in brown (Mi P 80).
Printing: Overprint in black at the State Printing Works, Vienna for use in the General Government.
Format: Nominal size 148mm × 105mm.
Values: (Mi P 3 I) 12(Gr) on 15Gr dark green-grey to dark blue-grey: (Mi P 3 II) 12(Gr) on 15Gr dark grey-blue: (Mi P 4) 12(Gr) on 15Gr brown:
President Ignacy Mościcki. President Ignacy Mościcki. King Władysław Jagiello.
Varieties: (Mi P 3 I) ‘KARTKA POCZTOWA’ measures 55.5mm in length. (Mi P 3 II) ‘KARTKA POCZTOWA’ measures 52mm to 53mm in length. (Mi P 4 K) Overprint inverted in bottom left hand corner.
Philatelic interest: The overprint used on these cards is type ‘m’. Note: 12 Groschen was the postal charge for local postcards from 21st November 1939 to 31st March 1940.
Issued: October 1940.
Valid until: 30th November 1941.
Design: 1939 Polish postal cards with 15Gr ‘Jagiello’ brown indicia (Mi P 80) & 10Gr ‘Jagiello’ green indicia (Mi P 79) & 15 + 15Gr ‘Jagiello’ brown indicia ‘Sender & Reply’ card (Mi P 82) separated.
Original Mościcki
indicia. Original Jagiello
indicia.
Type ‘m’:
Reich eagle without feathers on body with value either side
of wreathed swastika above ‘General Gouvernement’ in
two lines with two obliteration bars either side of ‘General’.
Mi P 5 Mi P 6
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) Printing: Indicia overprint and ‘POSTKARTE’ in black at the State Printing Works, Vienna for use in the
General Government.
Format: Nominal size 148mm × 105mm.
Values: (Mi P 5) 12(Gr) on 15Gr brown: (Mi P 6) 12(Gr) on 10Gr green: (Mi P 7) 12(Gr) on 15Gr brown:
King Władysław Jagiello. same as (Mi P 5). same as (Mi P 5).
Varieties: (Mi P 6 I) ‘POSTKARTE’ overprint measures 40mm in length. (Mi P 6 II) ‘POSTKARTE’ overprint measures 38.75mm in length. (Mi P 6 II K) Overprint inverted in bottom left hand corner. (Mi P 7 F) Sender card (‘z opłaconą odpowiedzią’). (Mi P 7 A) Reply card (‘na odpowiedź’).
Philatelic interest: On the sender & reply cards (Mi P 7 F & A), a further obliteration was applied. It was in the form of a horizontal row of 108 vertical lines measuring 40mm × 4.5mm obliterating the words ‘z opłaconą odpowiedzią’ on the sender’s card and ‘na odpowiedź’ on the reply card (shown below).
These cards have printing data at bottom left and Polish P.O. slogans at top. These slogans (with translations) are as follows: 01 CZYTELNY I DOKŁADNY ADRES – PRZYŚPIESZA DORĘCZENIE
Legible and accurate address – expedite delivery
02 KORZYSTAJCIE W PODRÓŻY Z RADIOTELEGRAMÓW MIĘDZY LĄDEM A STATKIEM While travelling, take advantage of ship-to-shore telegrams
03 POCZTA PERONOWA ZAPEWNIA W PODRÓŻY ŁĄCZNOŚĆ ZE ŚWIATEM While travelling, concourse-mail assures contact with the world
04 POCZTA TO TANI, SZYBKI I PEWNY INKASENT Mail is cheap, fast and sure investment
05 POCZTA WPROWADZIŁA PACZKI BEZ ADRESÓW POMOCNICNICZYCH The post office introduced parcel-mail without additional address
06 TELEFON MIĘDZYMIASTOWY USUWA ODLEGŁOŚĆ! Inter-city telephone eliminates distance
07 TELEFON USPRAWNIA ŻYCIE, ZBLIŻA I PRZYŚPIESZA! Telephone makes life easier, shortens distance and expedites
08 TELEFON ZAOSZCZĘDZA CZAS I PIENIĄDZE! Telephone saves time and money
09 TELEGRAMY MOŻNA NADAWAĆ W POCIĄGACH POŚPIESZNYCH I W SAMOLOTACH Telegrams can be sent from express-trains and airplanes
10 TELEGRAMY NA OZDOBNYM BLANKIECIE SĄ MILE WIDZIANE Telegrams on ornamental forms are welcome
Mi P 7 F
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) The various combinations of printing data and slogans available to the collector are shown in the table below:
P 3 I P 3 II P 4 P 5 P 6 P 7
Printing data
Slogan V
I - 1
938
VI -
193
8
VI -
193
9
X -
1938
VI -
193
9
X -
1938
VI -
193
9
01 – CZYTELNY I.…………………….. X X X X X A
02 – KORZYSTAJCIE W.……………... F
03 – POCZTA PERONOWA.………….. X X
04 – POCZTA TO TANI.………………. F
05 – POCZTA WPROWADZIŁA.……... X X X
06 – TELEFON MIĘDZYMIASTOWY.. X X X
07 – TELEFON USPRAWNIA………… X X X
08 – TELEFON ZAOSZCZĘDZA……... X X X X X X X
09 – TELEGRAMY MOŻNA………….. A
10 – TELEGRAMY NA OZDOBNYM... X X X
As these Polish P.O. postal letters and postal cards were not overprinted until February 1940, there are many examples of their use from late 1939 to early 1940 in their original issued condition. Some of these are used as issued and some with additional German or overprinted German postage applied. Below are shown some of these examples.
Polish P.O. postal letter (Mi U 11) sent to Schirgiswalde, Saxony, marked as Feldpost with a ‘dumb’
cancel dated 19.10.39.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government: Part 3 (cont.) Acknowledgements (for all 3 Parts of this article):
Fischer Katalog Tom II Polskich Znaków Pocztowych 2010. Michel Ganzsachen-Katalog Deutschland 2005. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Generalgouvernement 1935-45 e.V. The Internet for information on Polish historical figures. Authors’ own collection.
Polish P.O. postal card (Mi P 77 I – 07) sent to a business with a Feldpost cancel dated 28.9.39.
Polish P.O. postal card (Mi P 80 – 03) sent from Bełzec to Vienna on 11.2.40 with a 30Gr overprinted Hindenburg head adhesive affixed.
Polish P.O. postal card (Mi P 79 – 01) marked as Feldpost sent to an address in Reichenberg dated 30.10.39 with a German 1Rpf Hindenburg head adhesive affixed.
Overprinted Polish postal card (Mi P 4 – 03) uprated with 3 overprinted 6Gr Hindenburg definitives (Mi 1) and sent from Neumarkt (Dunajec) (Polish: Nowy Targ) to an address in Brno (Bohemia & Moravia) on 14.5.1940.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Incorrect Michel Issue Dates
by Ian Nickson In recent years I have assembled a collection of Third Reich First Day Covers and as so often when you investigate a subject in depth you discover inconsistencies in the currently available literature.
My question concerns the basis upon which Michel have determined the issue dates for certain issues and the lack of evidence to support these dates either in the form of official announcements or postal items used on those issue dates.
The 2018 Michel Specialised catalogue part 1 p.11, under the heading ‘Ersttagsbrief (FDC) (First Day Cover)’, defines the term ‘First Day Cover’ as:-
‘Umschläge oder karten, die am ersten Gültigkeitstag der aufgeklebten Marke(n), abgestempelt werden. Einige postverwaltungen geben besondere (Schmuck-)Umschlage, oft mit ausgabeanlassbezogenen Sonderstempeln, heraus. Im MICHEL wird zwischen amtlichen und privaten (Schmuck-)Belegen nur in Ausnahmefällen unterschieden.’
‘Covers or cards cancelled on the first day of validity of the stamps(s) affixed to them. Some postal administrations issued special (blank) envelopes, often with cancellations appropriate to the stamps. In the MICHEL catalogue, distinction is made between official and private (blank) covers only in exceptional cases.’
I am assuming that the validity of a stamp commenced on the day it was officially made available to the general public. To establish this date we need to turn to the society’s excellent publication The Third Reich Postal Ministry Official Philatelic Announcements October 1st 1932 – January 30th 1945 which contains translations of each Official Philatelic Announcement or Amtsblatt published during the period above. For most stamp issues, the Amtsblatt contained the date on which the stamp issue was to be made available to the general public. In other cases, the Amtsblatt does not give an exact issue date which raises doubts about the authenticity of the issue dates given in Michel for these issues.
The first issue date I wish to challenge is that of Mi. 803, the Berlin Grand Prix issue. Michel states that its issue date was 9th September 1941 but Amtsblatt No. 479/1941, published on 2nd September 1941 does not give an exact issue date:-
‘To commemorate the Berlin Grand Prix Horse race at Hoppegarten (Berlin) on 14th September 1941, the German Reichspost will issue a special blue, steel-engraved stamp with a face value of 25 + 50 pfg and printed at the Reichs Printing Works.’
I have seen just one example of this issue used before 14th September 1941 - on 9th September 1941 - but this was sent to the well-known expertiser, Dr. Dub, so someone ‘in the know’ may have arranged this. (See Fig.1). All the other covers I have seen have been used on or after 14th September 1941 so we may assume that it was generally available on that date.
Fig 1. (Image taken from an eBay sale which I did not win and I have
no contact details for the copyright owner).
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Incorrect Michel Issue Dates (cont.) Have Michel based their issue date on this single cover and not on the information given in the Amtsblatt? I suggest that this cover should be regarded as a rogue whose early escape can be ascribed to some arrangement within the philatelic trade and that Michel’s issue date should be 14th September 1941. If this stamp had actually been available to the general public, even in a restricted set of areas from 9th September 1941, then we would expect to see it used on other covers dated between 9th and 13th September 1941. However I have not seen any. The second example concerns Mi. 586-587 the 1935 Nuremberg Rally issue, where I have seen only two examples of these on cover dated 30th August 1935 and none at all used between that date and the official issue date of 6th September 1935 given in Amtsblatt No. 289/1935. (See Figs.2 and 3).
The full list of issues where there is little or no evidence for Michel’s issue dates is:-
Michel Catalogue Nos. Description Michel Issue Date Amtsblatt Issue Date Information
496-498 Chicago Flight Zeppelin Overprints
25th September 1933 Amtsblatt No. 348/1933 dated 19th September 1933 ‘The Regional Post Office Director’s headquarters will; receive the stamps from the Dispatch Office by the end of September and will then deliver supplies immediately to main Post Offices (where there is a large volume of business).’ No FDC known.
529-539 Airmail 21st January 1934 Amtsblatt No. 13/1934 dated 19th January 1934 ‘New airmail stamps will soon be issued’. No FDC known.
Fig.2
Fig.3
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Incorrect Michel Issue Dates (cont.)
Michel Catalogue Nos. Description Michel Issue Date Amtsblatt Issue Date Information
548-553 Hindenburg Mourning 4th September 1934 Amtsblatt No. 298/1934 dated 21st August 1934 ‘For the period of mourning after the death of Reich President General Field Marshal Hindenburg…stamps will be issued with black borders…The supplies will be limited. Sales from Philatelic Agencies will commence immediately following receipt of supplies.’ Two covers dated 4th September 1934 seen by the author.
586-587 Nuremberg Rally 30th August 1935 Amtsblatt No. 289/1935 dated 30th August 1935 ‘The stamps will go on sale at Post Offices on 6th September 1935.’ Two covers dated 30th August 1935 seen by the author.
803 Berlin Grand Prix 9th September 1941 Amtsblatt No. 479/1941 dated 2nd September 1944 ‘To commemorate the Berlin Grand Prix Horserace at Hoppegarten (Berlin) on 14th September 1941, the German Reichpost will issue a special blue, steel-engraved stamp with a face value of 25 + 50 pfg and printed at the Reichs Printing Works.’ One cover dated 9th September 1941 seen by the author.
902-903 German Goldsmiths’ Association
11th September 1944 Amtsblatt No. 291/1944 dated 8th September 1944 No issue date given.
If any reader has evidence to substantiate Michel’s issue dates for the stamps in the table above, I would be pleased to hear from you. Even where the issue date in Michel correlates with that given in the Amtsblatt, First Day Covers for three issues only appear to exist as single examples on favour cancelled envelopes or cards and, in the case of Mi. 887 the 1944 Hitler’s 55th Birthday issue, I have not seen a single example. This statement is based on my own observations, which include consulting the excellent K.B. Spezial Katalog für Ersttagsbelege des Deutschen Reiches ab 01.12.1923 by Klaus Brodowski available from B-W Briefmarken.
Michel Catalogue Nos. Description Michel Issue Date
695-697 Nürburgring Grand Prix Motor Race 18th May 1939
814 Blue Ribbon Horse Race 16th June 1942
887 55th Birthday of Adolf Hitler 14th April 1944 (No FDC known)
Perhaps the Amtsblatter were published a few days before the issue date of the stamps and therefore would only be seen by postal officials or those who subscribed to them. Consequently, stamp collectors and dealers would not be able to prepare First Day Covers for themselves.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Incorrect Michel Issue Dates (cont.) Mi. 695-697, the Nürburgring Grand Prix Motor Race issue illustrates this well. Amtsblatt No. 225/1939 published in May 1939 states:-
‘The stamps will only be available in whole sets at the price of 65 pfg (including the Culture Fund surcharges) and sold during the Eifel races (commencing 18th May and 20th July 1939) from either the Nürburgring (Eifel) Post Office, the special Post Office located at the race course or the stamp collectors’ Philatelic Agency in Berlin W30 (as long as stocks last).’
I have only seen one example of this issue used on 18th May 1939 with the cancellation of the Berlin Philatelic Agency at Geisbergstrasse 7, Berlin W30 and addressed to a recipient in London (Fig.4). It seems that this cover was prepared by someone who had prompt access to the Amtsblatt perhaps at the request of the recipient.
Amtsblatt No. 263/1942 published on 9th June 1942 announcing the Hamburg Derby issue (Mi.814) states:-
‘The stamp will be sold from 16th June until the end of July 1942, but only at main Post Offices of the Reichspost.’
While I have seen two examples used on cover from 17th June 1942, the example at Fig.5 is the only one I have encountered with the cancel of its date of issue. However this is favour cancelled on a blank card so the cancel could have been applied after this date.
Fig.4
Fig.5
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Incorrect Michel Issue Dates (cont.) I have not seen any item with the 55th Hitler Birthday issue cancelled on its date of issue - 14th April 1944. Amtsblatt No. 96/1942 published on 7th April 1944 states:-
‘The stamp will be available for purchase from 14th April until the end of 15th June 1944 at Post Offices in groups A - F.’
The cover shown as Fig.6 is the earliest usage I have seen – 17th April 1944. Given the disruption in the German economy at this time, the intended production and distribution of this issue could have been delayed.
If anyone has any examples of these three issues on First Day Covers, I would be very interested to see scans of them.
A General Government Parcel Card by
Bob Jones
I have often wondered if I should start collecting parcel cards. I have very few of them and shown here is one of the few. It makes me wonder what the story is behind its use. It was sent from Radom on 16. 6. 1944 to an inmate at the concentration camp at Flossenbürg (arriving on 26. 6. 1944). Flossenbürg Concentration Camp was a Nazi German concentration camp built in May 1938. Until its liberation in April 1945, more than 96,000 prisoners passed through the camp, around 30,000 of whom died there. I wonder what the fate was for inmate number 30336 Julian Spytek?
Fig.6
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’
by
Steve Clark The June 1985 News Sheet No.41 (page 4) includes a query about the experimental use of rockets for long distance carriage of mail. In this respect, the following update includes details about a German businessman and engineer named Gerhard Zucker, who was a pioneer of so-called ‘Rocket Mail’.
Unfortunately for Zucker, none of his rockets achieved either reliability or operational safety! Zucker was nevertheless undeterred by regular setbacks and during 1933–34 toured towns in both Germany and Great Britain, where he advertised and promoted his ‘Lufttorpedo’ launches and flights by selling various unofficial philatelic items, including the vignettes illustrated below (Fig.1). These were produced for Zucker’s preliminary day time rocket trials from Stiege to Hasselfelde (flight distance approx. 5km) during August 1933 and subsequently in November 1933 for the ‘First Rocket Night Flight’.
Perforated vignettes, printed in black or green, depict a rocket launch and are inscribed ‘German Rocket Flight’. Two vignettes each have a face value of 1 Mark and the third is overprinted/uprated to 3 Marks. This set of ‘semi-official mint stamps’ was subsequently available for purchase on a printed souvenir card (Fig.2 at right).
Imperforate vignettes (Fig.3 left and Fig.4 below), were printed on white, yellow or magenta coloured papers. Those on coloured paper were (probably) printing proofs and can be found with various overprints and/or cancellations e.g. the Hasselfelde cds (dated 4. XI. 1933, in violet). The imperforate stamps were also available for the First Rocket Night Flights on 4th and 6th November.
Notice the printings on yellow paper have round obliterations over the numerals ‘1’ and the uprated value is given in text ‘DREI’ instead of ‘3’.
Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig.4
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’ (cont.) Following successful daytime trial flights, Zucker decided to conduct his ‘First Rocket Night Flight’, planned for the 4th November. The initial trial flight was a failure – the rocket exploded and the mail was destroyed. A souvenir envelope, which has a blue-green cachet inscribed ‘Through the Night to the Light’, was produced in advance for attaching vignettes. Fig.5 at right shows an envelope addressed to ‘Rocket Constructor Gerhard Zucker’, with a Hasselfelde cds dated 4. XI. 1933, in magenta, and two in black on a magenta 1 Mark vignette. Following the failure of the initial Rocket Night Flight, Zucker conducted a second trial flight on 6th November 1933, which fortunately was a success. The set of 3 rocket mail vignettes (Fig.6) inscribed ‘2.Raketenstart’ (2nd Rocket Launch), was available for purchase. The souvenir cover (Fig.7) is addressed to Zucker in Hasselfelde. The vignettes have a face value of 1 or 3 Marks and can be found with or without perforation.
On January 28th 1934 a further set of 3 perforated rocket mail vignettes (Fig.8) were issued by Zucker, with all proceeds to be donated to the Winterhilfeswerk. With face values of ½, 1 and 3 Marks, these vignettes are inscribed ‘1.Deutschen Raketenflug 1934 Zugunsten des Winterhilfswerk’ (1st Rocket Flight of 1934 in Support of the Winter Relief Fund), and illustrate a rocket at launch, then flying over the globe, and finally returning safely to earth by parachute. Mail with these vignettes also received a hand stamp (in either red or blue ink) featuring a rocket launch, dated 28.1.34 in Thale (Harz).
Fig.5
Fig.6
Fig.7
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’ (cont.) Zucker’s first trial flight of 1934 was successful. However, only 1200 sets of the special Winterhilfswerk rocket mail vignettes were printed, and just 700 items were (supposedly) carried on the 28th January rocket flight. The cover is addressed to Thälendorf über Rottenbach and is personally signed by Zucker. It has also been franked with an 8+4 and 12+3Rpf Welfare Fund stamp (issued 1933), cancelled at Hexentanzplatz, Thale (Harz) on 29.1.34. In addition, a red Thale (Harz) Nazi Party ‘N.S. Volkswohlfahrt’ cachet has been applied. The rocket mail vignettes issued on 28th January 1934 were available perforated, imperforate and in tête-bêche sets (Fig.9).
The postcard at right (Fig.10), originally included in News Sheet No.41, shows Zucker on 9th April 1934 preparing for a rocket launch near Cuxhaven on the German North sea coast, and to impress onlooking Nazi officials and a large local crowd.
The Nazis wanted Zucker to modify his rockets so that they could carry bombs rather than mail. Zucker decided to visit Britain instead, where he planned to continue with his rocket mail experiments and sell more of his souvenir rocket mail covers!
Fig.8
Fig.9
Fig.10
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’ (cont.) In 1934 Zucker visited London, where he exhibited his rocket mail ‘postal covers’ at the APEX London (International Air Post Exhibition 7th–12th May). He claimed that he wanted to interest the British government and post office with his rocket mail plans. On 6th June 1934, after 3 successful rocket launch trials on the Sussex Downs (see cover below Fig.11), 6 APEX vignettes (originally printed by the Institut de Gravure, Paris), were overprinted ‘Rocket Post First British Flight’ (Fig.12) by Zucker.
Fig.11 above shows another ‘Zucker’ signed souvenir cover from the successful trials on the Sussex Downs franked with a KGV 1½d stamp cancelled with a Brighton & Hove cds dated 6th June 1934. At bottom left is one of the ‘Zucker’ overprinted vignettes from the International Air Post Exhibition with a special cachet noting the trial firing date and place and a ‘price’ for the rocket journey (in minute lettering) i.e. ‘Zucker Rocket Mail – Rocket Fee 2 shillings and 6 pence’ in the shape of a map of England and Wales on the vignette.
Fig.12 above shows all 6 stamps originally printed for the International Air Post Exhibition held in London in 1934 with the ‘Zucker’ overprints in red or blue for contrast. He subsequently persuaded officials of the British Royal Mail to attend a rocket launch public demonstration on 28th July 1934, between the Hebridean islands of Scarp and Harris in Scotland. The ‘Western Isles Rocket Post’ vignette on the cover shown on the next page (Figs.13 and 14) was designed by Zucker for the trial rocket firing from Scarp on 28th July 1934. The vignettes were printed in either red, green or brown ink. Zucker also attached British KGV postage stamps to some of the Western Isles mail, for onward transmission by the GPO from the Isle of Harris. It is unlikely however, that the cover shown in Fig.14, which received an Isle of Harris P.O. cds on 1st August 1934, was actually carried with the rocket mail from Scarp, as the test launch was a total disaster!
Fig.12
Fig.11
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018 Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’ (cont.)
Instead of flying across the sea, the rocket shot up a few metres and exploded into a cloud of smoke, followed by a rain of scorched letters and rocket remnants littered across Scarp beach. After these failures in Scotland, Zucker returned to England where he attempted one last trial rocket launch on 19th December 1934, this time from Lymington (Hants.) across the Solent to the Isle of Wight (Fig.15) commemorated with another overprinted vignette from the ‘Western Isles’ trial (Fig.16). This trial flight was unfortunately yet another failure and thereafter the British considered Zucker to be a ‘threat to the post office and security of the country’.
Fig.16 above shows the ‘Western Isles’ vignette overprinted in green for the Isle of Wight trial.
Zucker was deported to Germany, where he was immediately arrested by the Nazis on ‘suspicion of espionage and collaboration with Britain’! He was subsequently released, but was forbidden to make further rocket experiments, or face his future in an asylum!
During WW2, Zucker served with the Luftwaffe, but it is uncertain if he was ever involved in the construction of military rockets such as the V2. After the war he became a furniture dealer, but Zucker still experimented with rockets – until disaster struck. A demonstration of his launcher in May 1964 accidentally killed two schoolboy on-lookers, leading to a 6 month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter and a ban on civilian rocket research in Germany. Nevertheless, by the 70’s he had resumed launching fraudulent ‘rocket postal covers’ until his death in 1985. Sixty years after WW2 (2004) Zucker would no doubt have been delighted that his fascinating life story would become the subject of a drama film titled ‘The Rocket Post’, set on a remote Scottish island. References: On-line encyclopaedias e.g. Wikipedia and Astronautica :– ‘Gerhard Zucker’ & ‘The Zucker Rocket’. ‘Isle of Harris’ website – ‘Rocket Post Reality’. Collections of the author (SC) and the editor (BJ).
Fig.14
Fig.15
Fig.13
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Cumulative Index for 2018 News Sheet Issues
Index to News Sheets 172 – 175 News Sheet No./Page No.(s)
Alternative Humour NS172 p19
Berchtesgaden – Before and After NS174 p10
Collecting the ‘Ka-Be’ Combinations NS172 pp15/17
Diary Dates – upcoming meetings for the G & C.P.S. and the TRSG
NS172 p20; NS173 p20; NS174 p20; NS175 p28
Envelopes from the Reichspost (Enquiries) NS174 p4; NS175 p6
Feldpost (Postdienst für Hilfswillige) cards NS172 p5
G & C.P.S. AGM for 2018 in Stoke (Information) NS173 p19
G & C.P.S. AGM for 2018 in Stoke (Report) NS175 pp2/3
General Government parcel card NS175 p21
Gerhard Zucker’s ‘Rocket Mail Stamps’ NS175 pp22/26
Germany in Turmoil 1918-1933, The Rise of National Socialism
NS173 pp4/7; NS174 pp6/9; NS175 pp8/9
High Insurance Parcel Card & Cover NS175 p7
Incorrect Michel Issue Dates NS175 pp17/21
K.d.F After Work Exhibitions of 1939 NS172 pp12/14
K.d.F Cruise Mail 1935, The “Columbus” – the Odd One Out
NS173 pp10/12
National Committee for a Free Germany NS172 p8
National Socialist People’s Welfare Organisation in Cuba NS172 p7
Nazi Occupation of the Netherlands During WWII NS174 pp12/13
New Books NS173 p18
One Pot Meal cards (Enquiries) NS173 p3; NS175 p7
Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government
NS173 pp13/17; NS174 pp14/18; NS175 pp10/16
Recycled Postcards NS172 p18
Reichspost Health & Safety NS172 p19
Special Cancels and Serienstempel for the Hitler Youth NS172 pp9/11; NS173 pp8/9; NS174 p11
State of the Membership (new members) NS172 p3; NS173 p2; NS174 p4; NS175 p6
Unusual Use of a Privately Printed Postcard NS174 p19
This ‘cumulative index’ will appear in every December issue of the News Sheet to help members find articles etc. from earlier News Sheets published that year.
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News Sheet No.175 December 2018
Diary Dates for Regional Meetings The following dates have been arranged for G & C.P.S. regional meetings with intended displays for the coming weeks. Please show your support and try to attend your local meeting. For location of venues and regional organisers, please go to the G & C.P.S. website at: www.germanphilatley.org South East Group 5th Jan. Members’ displays (24 sheets).
North West Group 9th Feb. 2019 AGM, Bourse, Members’ displays.
South Central Group 9th Feb. Members’ displays.
Scottish Group 23rd Feb. “DDR”, a display by David Haig.
London Group 2nd Mar. “German East Africa up to 1914”, a display by Mike Farrant.
Tyne-Tees Group 9th Mar. “World War II on the Eastern Front” a display by Gary Eden.
South West Group To be advised.
Midlands Group Future in doubt.
Dates, times, venues and speakers correct at the time of going to press (17th November 2018). However, please contact the regional organiser(s) for confirmation of the above details.
EPILOGUE Another year of collecting and study is now almost behind us. I do hope all our members have enhanced their collections and have found our News Sheet useful and informative. This December issue has seen the end of our series ‘Special Cancels and Serienstempel for the Hitler Youth’, ‘Germany in Turmoil 1918-1933, The Rise of National Socialism’ & ‘Overprinted Polish Stamps for use in the General Government’. I do have some ideas for the 2019 issues that I hope other members will find interesting. Of course I am always open to new ideas – all you have to do is let me know. One idea is to start an article on the ‘Unfallbekämpfung’ (Health & Safety) campaign of the Reichspost as there seem to be plenty of items (cards/seals etc.) available to collectors. Hopefully we can start to catalogue the appropriate cards and labels found on the subject. So any articles you have or are working on – please share your efforts with us. Cheers,
