Nazi German 1938 Munich Ehrentempel & Brown House Beer Hall Putsch site Postcard NSDAP Cancel

Original Third Reich-era postcard dated December 4, 1938, showing an important view of the NSDAP ceremonial complex in Munich.

The printed caption reads:

“München. Ehrentempel und Braunes Haus am Königlichen Platz.”

Translation:

“Munich. Temples of Honor and Brown House at Königsplatz.”

The photograph provides a clear period view of one of the most historically significant NSDAP sites in Munich. The Ehrentempel (Temples of Honor) were monumental structures erected beside Königsplatz to commemorate the sixteen NSDAP members killed during the failed 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. The nearby Braunes Haus (Brown House) served as the national headquarters of the NSDAP.

The reverse makes this example particularly interesting. It is fully handwritten and postally used, dated:

“München, 4.12.38” — Munich, December 4, 1938

It is addressed to Fräulein female recipient in Wels, Oberdonau.

The card bears a green 6 Reichspfennig Hindenburg definitive postage stamp together with a particularly desirable Munich machine cancellation incorporating the German eagle and swastika and the propaganda slogan:

“Ein Volk gibt sich selbst.”

The slogan roughly translates as:

“A people gives to itself.”

This postal marking is associated with the Nazi Winterhilfswerk / Winter Relief fundraising campaigns and adds considerably to the historical and postal-history interest of the card.

Handwritten Message

The old German cursive is somewhat difficult to decipher completely, but the writer opens with:

“Liebe Greti!” — “Dear Greti!”

and states that they have been in Munich for about eight days, followed by comments about their stay, greetings, and plans. The card concludes with affectionate greetings. The manuscript is extensive and fills nearly the entire correspondence side, making this an especially nice piece of genuine period civilian postal history rather than an unused souvenir card.

Historical Significance

The Brown House was purchased by the NSDAP in 1930 and became the Party’s principal headquarters. The Ehrentempel structures were erected nearby during the transformation of the Königsplatz area into a major ceremonial center of the regime.

Following WWII, the Ehrentempel structures were demolished by American occupation authorities, while the Brown House had already been heavily damaged during Allied bombing. As a result, postcards showing the complex intact provide an interesting visual record of a Munich landscape that no longer exists in this form.

This example combines several desirable collecting areas in one piece:

• Original prewar 1938 postal usage
• Munich Königsplatz
• Ehrentempel / Temples of Honor
• Braunes Haus / Brown House
• NSDAP headquarters history
• Hindenburg postage stamp
• Eagle and swastika postal cancellation
• Propaganda slogan cancellation
• Extensive original handwritten correspondence
• December 1938 dated usage

Condition

Original period postcard in good circulated condition with expected age and handling wear. Some corner and edge wear, minor creasing and age toning are visible. The stamp remains attached and the cancellation is strong and highly visible.

Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. Item is sold as shown.

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YB3 series