1936 Die Deutsche Wehrmacht Complete 270 Card Cigarette Album Third Reich Book

Original 1936 “Die Deutsche Wehrmacht” cigarette-card collector album, published by Cigaretten-Bilderdienst Dresden-A.5. Most importantly, this example is COMPLETE WITH ALL 270 ORIGINAL COLOR CIGARETTE CARDS PRESENT.

The title translates as “The German Armed Forces.” The album was issued during the Third Reich period and provides an extensive illustrated overview of the German military during the pre-WWII rearmament era.

The title page is clearly marked:

“Herausgegeben vom Cigaretten-Bilderdienst Dresden-A.5”
Copyright 1936 by Cigaretten-Bilderdienst Dresden-A.5 / Printed in Germany

Library catalog records confirm the 1936 Dresden edition contains 64 pages and 270 color collectible cards.

The album covers numerous aspects of the Wehrmacht, including the Heer (Army), Luftwaffe (Air Force), and Kriegsmarine (Navy), with sections devoted to military organization, uniforms, equipment, training and everyday service.

Among the subjects represented are:

• Military leadership, flags and traditions
• Recruits and induction
• Barracks life and training
• Infantry and weapons
• Artillery and armored units
• Pionier / combat engineer troops
• Bridging and pontoon equipment
• Nachrichtendienst / signals and communications
• Radio and field telephone equipment
• Gebirgstruppen / mountain troops
• Military vehicles and motorcycles
• Horses and mounted troops
• Field exercises and maneuvers
• Uniforms, insignia and military standards
• Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine subjects

The photographs show the original mounted cards numbered throughout the album, including early cards 1–24, Pionier cards 97–102, Nachrichtendienst cards 103–114, and Gebirgstruppen cards beginning with 115.

The cards are beautifully produced in color and provide detailed period illustrations of uniforms, weapons, vehicles, communications equipment, engineering operations and military life. Complete surviving examples are especially desirable because the individual cards originally had to be collected and mounted into their corresponding numbered spaces.

COMPLETE – ALL 270 CARDS ARE PRESENT.

The original large-format heavy card cover features an impressive embossed anti-aircraft/flak gun and crew design, together with raised “Die Deutsche Wehrmacht” lettering. Contemporary bibliographic descriptions place the album at approximately 33 × 26 cm (13 × 10¼ inches).

Publication details:
Title: Die Deutsche Wehrmacht
Date: 1936
Publisher: Cigaretten-Bilderdienst Dresden-A.5
Country: Germany
Language: German
Cards: 270 – COMPLETE
Pages: 64
Format: Large-format cigarette-card collector album
Cover: Embossed illustrated heavy card binding

Condition is original and used with expected age-related wear. The cover exhibits rubbing, staining/spotting, edge and corner wear, surface wear and wear along the spine. Interior pages exhibit age toning and some edge/corner wear as shown. All 270 collectible cards are present, making this a complete example.

A substantial original 1936 Third Reich military cigarette-card album and an excellent period reference for collectors of Wehrmacht, Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, German military history, uniforms, equipment, cigarette cards and pre-WWII ephemera.

Please see all photographs for exact condition. Complete with all 270 cards and sold exactly as shown.