Heydrich Memorial Cards

[CurtD]

I'm trying to figure out which of the various versions of Heydrich memorial cards are legit, fantasy, fake, etc.

This is supposed to be one of the rare numbered cards (limited to 500) given to party officials. I believe it was given out on the 1st anniversary of his death (did they have time to print all of this up in time for his funeral?) Was there a service held somewhere on the anniversary? Is this a complete "memorial package"?

Notice that this card has no writing on it other than the number.

[CurtD]

There are also several different versions of memorial cards that have Heydrich's name, birthdate, deathdate, etc. I don't believe these were numbered.

This recently sold on Ebay. Since the seller proudly claimed that it came from manion's, and it is numbered "543", I am betting it is a fake.

So how many different versions of the memorial card are legit?

Thanks

[DZR]

Heydrich Memorial Cards

These are the kinds of items properly termed "cards" and were prepared in far larger numbers than the numbered souvenir sheets which are quite rare and are simply a single stamp with a very large margin (selvage).

These cards were used to receive the anniversary date cancelations in various towns throughout the Protectorate.

Can you post closer, front, and back images of the sheet you have "on top" of the other items?

Nothing that you have posted above looks fake to me.

[ramon]

The OP has posted in his first image a collage of different Heydrich related postage history. This postage stamp was issued to commemorate ostensibly the 1 year anniversary to Heydrich's death.

We see the background of what appears to be a substanial block from the original 100 stamp sheet issued to commemorate the passing Heydrich.

We then see the memorial sheet, numbered 89. The quoted issue quantity of 500 is not correct. The numbered issued was in fact 1000 and were given to those high placed individuals who attended the memorial ceremonies honoring this man as well as other high ranking persons in the regime. It is estimated that of the 1000 original memorial sheets issued, fewer than 150 exist to this day. Of this quantity perhaps no more that 2 are known to have been date cancelled by the Postal Authorities. It is absolutely mandatory to have these high value sheets expertised by the BPP recognized expert for this issue as fake sheets have been noted to exist to the detriment of the collector community. The value of an original sheet runs easily in excess of 10,000 USD and frequently closer to 20,000 USD when one comes up to auction. Such a price would typically include the protective envelope that the sheet was originally issued in.

The original stamp issued for single stamp usage on mail measures perf 13 1/2 by 13 3/4. This contrast by the perforation of the rare sheetlet is14 1/4. The rare sheetlet has a size of 101 mm by 146 mm


The smaller sheetlets shown are sometimes called "the poor man's Heydrich block". They bring a fraction of the value of the larger, numbered rarer sheetlet. Anywhere from 25 to 70 USD is the general value. Stamp dealers typically offer these smaller philatelic originated memorial sheetlets based upon a more philatelic value basis as opposed to the value basis that a militaria dealer would offer the same item. Militaria dealers will generally attempt to make the most of the SS connection and charge the absolute limit that eschews the real value.

As Perry noted, the items displayed look to be genuine.

The numbered Heydrich Block is one of the rarest and ranks among the most highly prized items in all the Third Reich philatelic collecting field.

Ramon

[CurtD]

I don't have any additonal pics. The Ebay auction sold for $34.26. Here's the link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:B:WNA:US:1123


The first pic is from what appears to be a now defunct auction site (Matthew Bennett Auctions). The pics are still there, but the main website appears to be dead.
http://www.mbiauctions.com/cgi-bin/v...ale=320&lang=1

Here's a copy of the description:

1943 Heydrich Presentation sheet (Michel No. 131 footnote), the so-called "Heydrich Block" that was given out to officials attending the ceremonies honoring the first anniversary of Heydrich's assassination, full never hinged original gum, numbered "89" of 1,000 printed with matching numbered envelope, also including the presentation booklet containing a single and block of 4 of the issued stamp (and, of course, the large block of 90 used as a background for the page).
Michel €20,000 ($27,720)

Realized $17,000.

So, the smaller sheets with Heydrich's name, etc. printed on them -- when were these made, how were they distributed, and what are their current values?

Thanks much for the information.

[ramon]

So, the smaller sheets with Heydrich's name, etc. printed on them -- when were these made, how were they distributed, and what are their current values?

Thanks much for the information.

Hello,

The smaller Memory Sheets as they were called were available from the Postal Authorities as well as Postage Stamp Dealers. Their current value as I pointed out in my original response is in the 25 to 75 USD range, but you'll find that militaria dealers will frequently ask prices that go well beyond this due to the SS/Heydrich subject matter having a such cachet of desirability to the non philatelic collector.

Ramon