Thursday, July 31, 2025

Saarland Referendum Postcard and Stamp - 1935

GERMAN propaganda postcard from the 1935 SAARLAND referendum, promoting the region's return to Germany. Two figures, representing soldiers from WWI, with the text "Wir starben für Dich! Und Du?" (We died for you! And you?) was designed to encourage a sense of national duty and sacrifice, urging Saarlanders to vote for reunion with Germany. 

After World War I, the Saarland was placed under the League of Nations administration, with a plebiscite scheduled for 1935 to determine its future. The referendum was a major propaganda victory for the Nazi regime, with over 90% of voters choosing to rejoin Germany.

The reverse side of this historical postcard was dated 13 January 1935. It originated from the "Saargebiet" (Saar region), specifically "Saarbrücken i." (Saarbrücken), a major city in the region.

The text "Volksabstimmung Saargebiet" (Plebiscite Saar region) refers to the Saar status plebiscite held on 13 January 1935, which determined the region's future status.

The postcard was addressed to Kurt Schwaben at Andreas. Hohstr. 26. in Saarbrücken i. The sender's message is  mostly illegible. What can be read is the closing phrase "...Heil Hitler, Your Uncle Arthur..."

The stamp itself features a building, possibly the Kaserne Saarlouis (barracks in Saarlouis), first issued in 1926. The text reads "SAARGEBIET" with a value of "40" (40 Pfennig).

No comments:

Post a Comment