Original 1942 Nazi WHW Winterhilfswerk Graz Gau Collection Badge Document NSDAP

Original wartime German Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes (WHW) administrative document dated 5 January 1942 in Graz, Austria, concerning the major Gaustraßensammlung of January 17–18, 1942.

This is an unusually informative piece of surviving Third Reich paperwork because it documents the organization, manufacture and distribution of the WHW collection badges / donation pins (Sammelabzeichen) issued for the campaign.

The letterhead identifies the office as:

“Der Gaubeauftragte für das Winterhilfswerk des deutschen Volkes”
Gau Representative for the Winter Relief Organization of the German People

It is addressed to the heads of all Styrian schools and requests that teachers discuss the collection badges with students one or two days before the Gau street collection.

The document is signed by Weber, identified as “Gaupropagandawalter”, and carries the period closing “Heil Hitler!”

The attached information sheet provides some excellent historical details:

• 1,800,000 badges were produced for the collection.
• Approximately 600,000 were intended for Untersteiermark (Lower Styria).
• The campaign offered 15 different occupational badges, including the plowman, sower, reaper, livestock breeder, milkmaid, dairy maid, fruit farmer, winegrower, woodworker, hunter, miner, pit worker, scythe smith, weaver and potter.
• The badges were manufactured in Graz-Eggenberg by the firm Schwertner.
• The designs were prepared by graphic artist Plavcak.
• They were manufactured using an injection-molding process.
• Approximately 2,200 kg of synthetic resin was used.
• 28 employees reportedly worked for four months, averaging 10-hour working days, to complete the enormous 1.8-million-piece production run.
• The complete series of 15 badges was also issued in cardboard presentation bindings with an explanatory booklet, with the text specifically noted as suitable for use in schools.

A particularly interesting document for collectors of WHW donation badges, since it provides period primary-source information concerning exactly how these collectible pins were manufactured and distributed.

Translation of letter:

The document shows expected age and storage wear, including original folds, toning, small marks and general handling. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

A scarce original January 1942 Graz WHW/NSDAP administrative document with excellent research and display value, especially when paired with examples of the corresponding WHW occupational badges.

SEO Keywords

WWII German document, 1942 German document, Winterhilfswerk, WHW, Winter Relief, WHW badge, WHW donation pin, Sammelabzeichen, Gaustrassensammlung, Graz Austria, Steiermark, Untersteiermark, NSDAP document, Nazi document, Third Reich paperwork, Gau propaganda, Gaupropagandawalter, German propaganda document, WHW collection badge, occupational badges, German home front, wartime ephemera, original WWII paper, Graz Eggenberg, Schwertner, 1942 Austria, historical German document.

YB2 series