Deutsches Reich "Heldengedenktag 1935"

DEUTSCHES REICH  first issued on 15 March 1935 two stamps hpnouring "Heldengedenktag 1935" (Heroes' Memorial Day 1935) for First World War veterans. These stamps were valid through 31 December 1936. They were the first German stamps to  show an early version of the German "Stahlhelm" (steel helmet). The green stamp carried a 6 pfennig denomination, whereas the red stamp had a 12 pfennig denomination. This particular cover was postmarked 25 March 1935, originated from Stetten, Germany, and destined to a Fred Wirsing in Zurich, Switzerland 

Hans Schweitzer designed these 'steel helmets' in remembrance of the dead from the First World War. Memorial Day was previously observed on 13 November of each year, but Hitler changed the name of the day from "War Memorial Day" to "War Heroes Memorial Day" and moved the date to 16 March each year. 

The stamps were produced on coated paper on sheets (10x10), with swastika watermark, Perf K 14 and are either type 'x' (with vertical gum rippling) or type 'y' (with horizontal gum rippling).

Hans Schweitzer was a prolific Nazi artist (also known as Mjölnir, after Thor's hammer) who was also responsible for many of the propaganda posters printed during the 1930's, namely those depicting crude images of SA members standing heroically alongside Heer soldiers. After the war Schweitzer worked for the West German federal press designing posters for far-right organisations.

There was no special postmark or slogan postmark associated with this issue.

Disclaimer: In displaying this stamp I must stress I DO NOT advocate, NOR wish to glorify the regime of Nazi Germany or any present day fascist organization/state. My sole intent is to illustrate the philatelic history of the period, one which I personally believe to have been evil and as such a plight in the history of Germany and their satellite allies at the time.