Original WW2 German 1939 WHW Otto von Bismarck Postcard Mailed Feldpost to Officer

Offered here is an original Third Reich-era Winterhilfswerk (WHW) postal card honoring Otto von Bismarck, the famous 19th-century Prussian statesman and first Chancellor of the German Empire.

The front features a striking illustrated portrait identified “V. BISMARCK”, together with his facsimile signature, dates “geb. 1.4.1815, gest. 30.7.1898” and the title “Der eiserne Kanzler” — “The Iron Chancellor.”

Printed beneath the portrait is the quotation:

“Eine kluge Politik hat noch immer Unglück gebannt.”
Translation: “A wise policy has always averted misfortune.”

The address side is headed “KRIEGS POSTKARTE” and bears the WHW / Winterhilfswerk eagle emblem. Particularly interesting is the attached Winterhilfswerk Deutsches Reich postal stamp, which has been genuinely postally cancelled.

The card is addressed as Feldpost to an Unteroffizier (NCO), Otto Meißner, with Feldpost number 35597. The handwritten message on the reverse is dated December 4, 1939, making this an early-war piece of German military postal history.

Reverse Message / Translation

The handwriting is difficult in several places, but the message can be substantially read as follows:

“Lieber Herr Meißner!
Ihre Karte v. 29.11. möchte ich Ihnen … zum Ausbruch des Winters, mit einer Kriegs-WHW Postkarte dankend beantworten …”

The writer thanks Herr Meißner for his card of November 29 and replies with this Kriegs-WHW postcard at the beginning of winter. The message goes on to discuss receiving the second letter, mentions a brother who had still been Kriegsteilnehmer (war participant) from Lüneburg, and refers to his being sent to a Westfront location. The writer also mentions England and closes with warm greetings. Some words are difficult to decipher confidently because of the period German cursive and tightly written text.

This is an especially interesting card because it combines several collectible areas in one original piece:

• Otto von Bismarck / “Iron Chancellor” portrait
• Winterhilfswerk (WHW) postal issue
• Early WWII date – December 1939
• Feldpost military usage
• Addressed to an Unteroffizier
• Feldpost number 35597
• Genuine period postal cancellation
• Lengthy handwritten wartime correspondence
• Attractive historical propaganda/postal design

The card remains in very good original condition for its age, showing normal handling, toning and minor edge/corner wear consistent with genuine postal use. The handwriting remains strong and legible overall.

You will receive the exact original postcard shown in the photographs.

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