UND JHR HABT DOCH GESIEGT! postcard

[Greg Domian]

Guys,
Was wondering if this is a worthwhile post card to pick up. never seen this one before and not sure what a good price would be for it. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Greg

[Br. James]

Hi Greg,

A nice and unusual piece! The drawing on the obverse is a common representation of the Kampfzeit, though most often seen in b/w, but the postmark on the reverse caught my attention immediately. It was cancelled at a post office in Vienna on March 17, 1933 -- a month and a half after Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany, and five years before the Anschluss on March 12, 1938! As an example of commemorative postal stationery, this piece is unique in appearing to formally acknowledge and endorse the existence of the DNSAP -- the Austrian branch of the National Socialist Party. Austrian politics was at a crisis point in March of 1933 with the struggle for control between fascist Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, whose thin electoral majority was supported by Benito Mussolini, and a strong coalition of more democratically-based parties. This was a very tense and historically confusing time, and to see this card arise from that melee makes it the more interesting!

Sorry that I can't help you with a price on this piece. Best wishes, and thanks for sharing it with us,

Br. James

[randy@treadways]

Actually, the postmark is dated 17 March 1938- it's just that the ink didn't totally register.
'Der Führer in Wien' commemorates Hitlers visit to Vienna right after the Anschluss.

I believe the dates printed on the bottom - back, are copyrights- first established in 1933 and renewed in 1937. (that 1937 date at the bottom, alone, would mean the postmark couldn't be dated 1933).

Hunsinger and Zerreiss are both well-known postcard publishers. In this case Hunsinger was the publisher, and they arranged to have them printed at the Zerreiss firm.

This postcard is seen now and then, so not incredibly rare, but it *is* one of the more desirable ones.

The first 1.11.33 copyright was just before the 10th anniversary of the Putsch (which is the obvious art subject), so the first printing of this card was obviously a "10th Anniversary" card. It was probably re-published each year thereafter.

The first line of the caption says 'Memorial Postcard'.
The second line has been block-printed out. This is interesting- one wonders what was under there. It may have said something like '1923 - 1937' or something like that, but was blocked out after the 14th anniversary went by in November 1937, to continue selling it (in this case into the next spring when the Anschluss happened). Just speculation of course. I wonder if holding it up to a bright light will reveal what's under that dark block?

[Br. James]

Thanks for that important clarification, Randy; the year number looks like a "3" to me. But seeing it as 1938 would indeed provide the proper context of the Anschluss to the cancellation block: 'Der Führer in Wien.'

Post cards printed in color do increase the value of each piece; this is a fine specimen!

Br. James

[Greg Domian]

Thanks guys for all your input, very informative and much appreciated.

Greg