Your simple but cherished items...

[Ralph P]

Hello all...I thought I would start this thread with something simple from my STASI collection that I find of interest...

I am posting from my collection a brief case that was used to carry close hold documents and materials. VS Stelle on the case is translated to mean close hold registered documents. I am also posting an ink stamp from Rostock District office that also has VS Stelle on the surface to show as another example.

So fellow collectors...dust off those lonely collection items sitting in the corner and post them...

[Ralph P]

Part 2...

Part 2...

[Ralph P]

Part 3...

Part 3...

[Ralph P]

Part 4...

Part 4...

[Ralph P]

Final part...

Final part...

[Chuck D.]

Hi Ralph,

Nice pieces. What is the case made of? Is it very heavy? I heard the courier cases had metal linings to protect against X-rays.

[Ralph P]

Hey Chuck...in reference to the case...there is almost no weight to it and I believe this case may pre-date those black courier bags. I like this case for how simple it is...

Also I forgot to mention what "G" stands for. G on the case stands for GEHEIM which when translated means SECRET. Sorry for the oversight.

[Mike G.]

I don't know if "Cherish is the word I'd use to say....." (Isn't that the words to some old song or such?); but this is definitely simple, and very unique. It appears to be some sort of matt, though I cannot for the life of me imagine it actually being used that way, let alone anyone walking on it.

[Ralph P]

Well Mike, your matt is for sure different and simple. I am not even going to ask how someone would have gotten one of these.

Are there any holes in the corners that possibly show that it might have been wall mounted?

[Mike G.]

Hi Ralph,

In response to your question, no. It looks to have never been used as a matt, thank goodness.

It is coated on the reverse in a gray color rubber, so there is no question as to its intended purpose. Bizarre, isn't it? Go figure.

At least you could stand on it in wet bare feet without fear of being electrocuted. Can't say that about Stasi floor matts, can you?

[Ralph P]

[Chuck D.]

Hi Ralph,

In response to your question, no. It looks to have never been used as a matt, thank goodness.

It is coated on the reverse in a gray color rubber, so there is no question as to its intended purpose. Bizarre, isn't it? Go figure.

At least you could stand on it in wet bare feet without fear of being electrocuted. Can't say that about Stasi floor matts, can you?

I have something similar from a district Militia/State Security office in Poland. Originally, I had it on the floor in an out-of-the-way corner. But after the cat decided he liked it better than his bed, I bought a poster frame, mounted it, and hung it on the wall.

[Mike G.]

Intereseting Chuck. That is similar. Maybe this floor matt thing is unique to the Warsaw Pact? Anyway, what you did with your matt is what I'm seriously considering doing with mine - mounting it for display on a wall. Good idea.

[Ralph P]

Hey Chuck very nice and thanks for providing your history of the matt...