WWII Nazi German Third Reich KdF Sammlergruppen WHW Winter Help Philatelic Collector Archive – DAF Documents, Covers, Tickets & Ephemera

Offered is a large and unusual original WWII-era German paper archive centered on the KdF-Sammlergruppen, the collector groups organized within Kraft durch Freude (KdF) under the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF). The grouping is especially interesting because much of the material concerns stamp collecting, collector meetings, exchanges, exhibitions, badges and plaques, WHW activities, and the wartime organization of philatelic collecting.

This is not simply an assortment of unrelated paper. A substantial portion appears to have been assembled as reference material dealing specifically with the KdF collector organization and its regional Sammlergruppen, with material dating primarily from 1940–1943.

Among the highlights shown are:

• Several December 1942 “Veranstaltungsplan” sheets for the NS-Gemeinschaft “Kraft durch Freude,” covering regional districts including Döbeln, Grimma, Zittau, Plauen and Kamenz. Each has original period newspaper clippings attached identifying local KdF-Sammlergruppen, their representatives, meeting locations and scheduled collector/exchange evenings.
• An original KdF-Sammlergruppe Berlin circular dated July 6, 1943, issued by Adalbert Schnermann, Referent für Gau Berlin for the Abzeichen und Plaketten collector group. The circular discusses wartime collecting activity, exchanges, a collectors’ newsletter, dues and meetings. It concludes with the period political salutation and Schnermann’s typed name.
• A period postal cover addressed to Hans Reichelt at Torgau/Elbe, bearing a Vienna July 17, 1942 meter cancellation with propaganda slogan and an official NSDAP Gauleitung Wien – Amt für Volkswohlfahrt sender marking.
• An additional period cover bearing a German definitive postage stamp, cancellation and advertising slogan, together with a large KdF-Sammlergruppe Abzeichen und Plaketten handstamp identifying Adalbert Schnermann in Berlin.
• Original Deutsche Arbeitsfront correspondence from Bitterfeld dated April 24, 1940, addressed to Hans Reichelt and concerning WHW accounting/settlement matters. It is on DAF Gauverwaltung Halle-Merseburg letterhead and bears an original handwritten official signature.
• A scarce admission ticket for the DAF / Kraft durch Freude KdF-Sammlergruppe Süd Leipzig “Werbeschau – Die schöne Briefmarke” stamp exhibition, held March 10, 1940. The ticket retains its printed DAF emblem, serial number and RM -.20 admission price.
• An unused period German Postkarte bearing the printed production notation 3.41, together with an attached illustrated clipping promoting the 1. Reichsstraßensammlung of September 21–22 for the wartime WHW campaign.
• Large period article titled “Grundzüge und Ziele der KdF-Sammlergruppen” by Gustav Kabelitz, discussing the principles and objectives of the KdF collecting organization and the ideological organization of philately within the period system.
• Period page titled “Mitteilungen der KdF-Sammlergruppen,” containing extensive information on collector groups, meetings, exchange evenings, exhibitions and regional organizations.
• Additional philatelic newspaper/article material discussing methods of organizing stamp-collecting reference files and collector knowledge.
• Period WHW / Deutsches Rotes Kreuz advertising material with the slogan “Die Front der Heimat – Hilfswerk – spendet für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz.”
• Additional period advertising and printed ephemera, including a striking “Türkiye İş Bankası – Kumbara” savings-bank advertisement and religious/community periodicals visible in the grouping.

One of the strongest aspects of this archive is the amount of material that directly documents how organized stamp and memorabilia collecting functioned inside the KdF/DAF structure during WWII. Names of individual collectors and officials, addresses, meeting places, schedules, regional groups and wartime correspondence give the collection considerably more historical context than isolated pieces normally encountered.

The material shows normal age and use including toning, folds, edge wear, small tears, mounting remnants/tabs, staining and other storage wear. Several newspaper clippings were intentionally attached to larger reference sheets by the original collector. The July 1943 Berlin circular has pronounced period folds and mounting tabs as shown. The condition and construction of each piece are best judged from the photographs.

All items shown are included and are being sold together as one historical archive. Please examine the photographs carefully for the exact contents and condition.

An excellent grouping for a collector of WWII German postal history, KdF, Deutsche Arbeitsfront, WHW, NSDAP postal material, philatelic history, German stamp collecting organizations, wartime ephemera, propaganda postal markings, collector correspondence, or Third Reich paper items.

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YB1 series