WW1 – WW2 German Documents & Postal History Lot 1869–1949 Imperial, Third Reich, Covers, Stamps, Receipts & Postwar Currency Papers

Interesting original German historical document and postal-history grouping spanning roughly 80 years of German history, from the North German Confederation/early German postal period through the German Empire and into the immediate post-WWII period.

The lot contains an assortment of covers, postal stationery, commercial papers, receipts, handwritten documents, revenue/postage stamps and postwar financial documents, with material dating from approximately 1869 through 1949.

One of the earliest and most attractive pieces is an 1869 cover postmarked Cöln Bahnhof (Cologne railway station) and addressed to Barmen, bearing an early North German postal stamp. Also included is a Stadt Schwerte (Ruhr) official service cover marked “Dienstpflichtige Dienstsache! Frei.”, with multiple German revenue/postage stamps and Schwerte cancellations.

Other notable pieces include an ornate 1910 August Bührmann furniture and upholstery business invoice from Iserlohn, a large cover from Justizrat E. Franzius, Rechtsanwalt u. Notar, Norden, bearing multiple Deutsches Reich stamps, and additional commercial receipts from Engstfeld & Co., Iserlohn.

The later material is particularly interesting for Germany’s transition after WWII. Included is a 1948 Freigabebescheid from the Städtische Sparkasse Essen, concerning the conversion/handling of old Reichsmark funds during the postwar currency reform period. Additional postal material addressed to Gertrud Nagels, Essen-Bredeney carries postwar Deutsche Post postage.

Also included is an unusual Hungarian MÁV railway ticket for the Balatonfenyves narrow-gauge railway, adding another transportation-related piece to the grouping.

The handwritten documents and correspondence display attractive old German script and provide additional opportunities for research.

A diverse historical accumulation that would make an excellent research lot for collectors of German postal history, German Empire documents, Deutsches Reich stamps, commercial ephemera, railway mail, official government correspondence and postwar occupation/currency-reform material.

Highlights include: 1869 Cöln Bahnhof mailed cover; Stadt Schwerte official service cover with multiple stamps; 1910 illustrated August Bührmann Iserlohn invoice; Deutsches Reich stamped legal-office cover; Engstfeld & Co. Iserlohn receipts; handwritten German documents; postwar Deutsche Post cover; 1948 Essen Sparkasse currency-reform document; and Hungarian MÁV railway ticket.

Condition: Mixed condition as expected for material ranging from the 19th through mid-20th century. Expect folds, creasing, toning, staining, edge wear, tears and other age-related wear. The 1948 financial document has substantial tearing as shown. Please study all photographs carefully—the entire grouping shown is included.

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