Shortly after the beginning of the war, the script changed for one final time. This style of script would be utilized for the rest of the war. The main change between this style and the previous style is the addition of the Kriegsberichter’s name to the bottom of the press script. One must note that not every press script will have the Kriegsberichter’s name on the photo.
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The numbering system used by Hoffmann was fairly easy to follow consisting of a 4 to 5-digit number. The dates and numbers should flow consecutively in sequence, however, it is not uncommon for these to be out of sequence. For example, when comparing the number on the photo to the date the photo was released, one can easily recognize if the photo has been released out of sequence or has been re-released at a later date or perhaps even have a misprint. The Hoffmann press agency frequently re-released photos for print in newspapers or magazines of the time. Hoffmann would still use the original press number on the photo, but would put the new release date on the press script. Unlike other press agencies in which misprints in the numbering or dating system, very few misprints have been encountered.
The latest Hoffmann press photo I have observed is number 70187 which is dated 7 April 1945, only about a month before the surrender! 1945 Hoffmann press photos are not easy to come by, in fact, I only have encountered 4 of them.
Stay tuned for the next installment. This time it will be Agentur Schostal/ Wien-Bild press agency.Comment
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The Agentur Schostal press agency was located in Vienna, Austria and existed pre-war and throughout the war years. It is believed Agentur Schostal changed their name in 1940/41 to Wien-Bild.
Agentur Schostal press photos can only be identified by their stamp on the back of the photo, except on rare occasions when the name Schostal can be identified as the Bildberichterstatter. The script attached to the photo will not identify the agency as Agentur-Schostal. When the name changed to Wien-Bild, only then will the script be identifiable as a photo from Wien-Bild.
The color of the stamps utilized by Agentur Schostal will be dark purple. Two distinct style of stamps were utilized by Agentur-Schostal (both examples shown below). The differences in the stamp is in the address line. Both examples were used until the name of the company changed to Wien-Bild. In the first example, there also is a stamp listing the name of the photographer. This is a common additional stamp to be seen on Agentur Schostal press photos.Comment
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The other stamp.Comment
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After the name change to Wien-Bild, the style and color of the stamp changed to a different stamp. The color of the stamp changed from dark purple to a shade of light purple/pink. There were two types of stamps that were used by Wien-Bild. One of the stamps looked very similar to Agentur Schostal’s stamp, the main difference being the change in color, name and an additional phone number. This stamp is most commonly seen on other agency’s press photo such as Atlantic. It is very common to see this stamp on Atlantic press photos.
I apologize for the bad image. I have to take time to find a good sample of the stamp to re-scan it. I will post a better image soon.Comment
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The most common of the Wien-Bild stamps can be seen in the example shown, in which Wien-Bild added a couple more lines to the new stamp. This style would be utilized throughout the existence of Wien-Bild in the Third Reich. You will notice the address line combined the address on the first two stamps (IV./50). It is also very common to see this stamp on other agency’s press photos such as Atlantic.Comment
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While the name of the company changed over time, the style of the script didn’t change. The script used by the two agencies would be typed on thin white paper. The top line of the script would contain the date of the photo and the name of the photographer (if listed). In this example, the date on the photo is 18738 (18 July 1938). Below this line would be the main title line. Although, not all Agentur Schostal/Wien-Bild press photos will have a title line. Next would be the caption of the photo. The main difference between Agentur Schostal and Wien-Bild press photos is that Wien-Bild will have their agency’s name on the top line of the script. You will notice this press agency did not number their photos.Comment
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That's all for Agentur Schostal/Wien Bild. Next up on the list is Sherl.Comment
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Scherl was yet another company that was located in Berlin and operated pre-war and throughout the war years. Scherl press photos can be identified mainly be the Scherl stamp on the back of the photo or by the press script attached to the back of the photo. The script will either have the name Scherl or the abbreviation Sch. Although, Scherl press photos cannot always be identified by the press script.
Scherl was very prolific with the style of stamps that were utilized. It is not known why Scherl used so many different styles of stamps. One of the earliest styles encountered is shown below. This style is normally purple and mainly just contained the name of the agency.Comment
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There is another pre-war stamp that is often encountered which unfortunately I have not been able to obtain a scan of. This time the stamp included much more information about the agency and the color changed from purple to blue. This style was most likely discontinued prior to the start of the war.
A stamp which remained consistent throughout the existence of the Scherl Press Agency is this particular stamp. Although, when the next stamp was introduced, this particular stamp would be seen less and less as the war years continued on.Comment
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This particular stamp begins to be seen in press photos sometime in late 1940, believed to be October 1940. This stamp would gradually begin to replace the above stamp, but not completely. The above stamp would continue to be seen sporadically for the remaining war years. You will notice the difference between the two stamps is the addition of the PK-Bild line below the original stamp.Comment
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The Scherl Press Agency utilized another stamp, but only very sporadically. It is not known the exact reason for the use of this particular stamp. It can first be seen starting in 1940 and continuing throughout the war years.Comment
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This next style of stamp which was utilized by Scherl was a unique stamp. This marking would identify press photos which has been received from outside sources, presumably by ACME Press Agency based on the marking of the stampComment
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This stamp is considered rare for use on Scherl press photos. Once again, it is not known the exact reason for the use of this particular stamp.Comment
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Other miscellaneous stamps which have been observed on Scherl press photos. Some of the examples are shown below.Comment
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