Sunday, March 29, 2026

Deutsches Reich and Österreich Anschluss Cover - 1938

DEUTSCHES REICH AND OESTERREICH registered airmail (flugpost) cover, postmark dated 10 April 1938, documents the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany). 

This cover featured a mixed franking of both Austrian and German stamps, which was common during the brief transition period after the annexation.

- Austrian postage in the upper section contains a set of airmail stamps (Flugpost) from the 1935 pictorial series which showed aircraft flying over Austrian landscapes. At the bottom are two stamps of different colours and denominations with a vase of roses surrounded by zodiac symbols; these were designed by renowned Austrian artist Wilhelm Dachauer. Another Dachauer designed stamp from the 1926 Child Welfare series depicted a scene from the Nibelungenlied saga, specifically the legendary hero Rüdiger von Bechelaren.

- German stamps include several German "Deutsches Reich" stamps, notably the 6 Reichspfennig "Anschluss" stamp (depicting two men carrying the Nazi flag) issued specifically for the 10 April plebiscite.

- Adolf Hitler stamps featuring his profile are present, including those issued for his 49th birthday in 1938.

The stamps were cancelled with a special slogan postmark reading "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer – 10. April 1938 – Wien" ("One People, One Empire, One Leader"). This specific cancel was only used in Vienna on the day of the controversial vote to approve the annexation. Interestingly this slogan is similar to the German Reich stamp issued on the 25th Anniversary of Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign -- "Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Gott" (One Empire, One People, One God). 

The date, 10 April 1938, was the day of the national referendum where 99.7% of Austrians reportedly voted "Yes" to join the Third Reich. Such covers were often produced as patriotic souvenirs or propaganda pieces to commemorate the "reunification". 

The registration label at the bottom right indicates it was sent from the Wien 64 post office (registered number 1292). 


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