Philatelic and Numismatic Forms of Commemoration

This section provides another point of entry into the troubled landscape of Holocaust memory. It samples the post-war stamps and first day covers issued by many nations to commemorate the victims, resisters, partisans, the liberators, the hidden and the ones who sheltered, the diplomatic heroes and others, as well as highlights some of the essential themes and signal events of the genocide of the European Jews and its aftermath. Interspersed among these is a selection of other, older, philatelic and numismatic items: stamps, labels, Notgeld, ghetto scrip, and coins, that were utilized both prior to and during the Third Reich and the Holocaust and tell another story.

--Michael D. Bulmash, K1966

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Litzmannstadt (Lodz Ghetto) Currency

2012.1.463a-e

Five pieces of currency from Litzmannstadt. Including a pink 50 Pfennig note, a green 1 mark note, an orange 2 mark note, a green 5 mark note, and a green 20 mark note.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:

The SS introduced special "Jewish currency" in many of the ghettos. The most well-known cases are from Theresienstadt (Terezin) and Litzmannstadt (Lodz) ghettos/concentration camps. The concept behind this was total segregation, so that Jews and aryans would not touch the same currency. Notes and coins were issued in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto, signed on the back by "M. Rumkowski," Alteste Der Juden (Elder of the Jews). The 10 Mark note shows a wall of barbed wire in essence made from a Star of David design. A large green six-pointed star appears in the upper left. The reverse side, shown on the 5 mark bill, has the same background, only with a six-pointed star in the upper right and menorah on the lower left. Lodz, a large industrial city, housed one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe before World War II. It was second in size only to Warsaw. Lodz was occupied by September 7, 1939 and persecution of the Jews was underway by September 14. In November of the same year Lodz was incorporated into the Third Reich (as part of Western Poland annexed as the Wartagau) and the name was changed to Litzmannstadt. This accounts for the currency being issued in "Marks" as opposed to Polish "Zloty." After November 16, Jews were forced by German occupation law to wear a band around their arm, replaced by a yellow Star of David symbol on December 12. The Lodz ghetto was established on February 8, 1940.
Free French Forces in Great Britain Cover to Hardwood Terrace in Dublin, Ireland

2019.2.130

Envelope with red postage stamp marked “POSTAGE REVENUE,” addressed to Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Stephens. Back stamped with “FORCES FRANCAISES LIBRES” in purple ink.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: The Free French were led by Charles de Gaulle in England subsequent to the French loss in the Battle of France with Germany. Double ring Forces Francaises Libres censor hand stamp verso.
Czestochowa Ghetto Stamp

2015.2.141

White stamp printed with green. Depicts a man looking down at a woman holding a child, with another child standing next to her. Includes green text above the figures, and red and purple hand stamps.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:

20 Gr. Green local issue from the Czestochowa Ghetto. Only 17 of these stamps are known to exist. Expertized by T. Gryzewski. Czestochowa (Tschenstochau in Polish) was in the Kielce district of Poland. Approximately 26,000 Jews constituted 20 percent of the population prior to World War II. As with other large Polish Jewish enclaves, Czestochowa had an active Jewish community. With the German occupation in September 1939, a Judenrat was formed and the Nazis terrorized the Jewish community. The Judenrat had a huge responsibility supplying medical treatment and food for so many people. In April 1941 a ghetto was created. Jews from other towns and villages were herded in along with local inhabitants. The ghetto was liquidated by October 1942 during Operation Reinhard. More than 40,000 Jews were transported in cattle cars to the death camp of Treblinka. The Germans were aided in this Aktion by Ukrainian and Latvian auxiliaries (Hiwis) known as Trawniki men. A Jewish underground existed in the city and there was a history of resistance by an indigenous Jewish Fighting Organization of 300 members in 1943.
Croatian Souvenir Stamp - Ante Pavelic

2014.1.282

Single stamp on serated off-white paper. Stamp depicts man in military uniform giving Nazi salute in front of a long line of soldiers. Surrounding the stamp is the Croatian seal above, and 'Na Rad' text below.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Ante Pavelik. Croatia (Croatian: Nezavisna Drzava Hrvatska, NDH) was a puppet state of Nazi Germany. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. It was controlled by the governing fascist Ustasha movement and Ante Pavelic, which in turn were primarily under German influence. Its racial enemies were Jews, Serbs and Roma people, against whom large-scale genocide campaigns were conducted in places such as the Jasenovac and Stara Gradiska concentration camps.
Postcard from Vichy, Franked with French Stamps Issued Under Occupation and Cancelled with Vichy Post Office Cancel

2016.1.22

Front: Image of Vichy, France, church with two spires in foreground. Back: Six postage stamps of various sizes and colors, handwritten note in blue ink.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Postcard with two Marshal Philippe Petain stamps.
Postcard with Propaganda Stamp of Churchill "WERTLOSE MARKE" (Worthless Stamp) on Unofficial Card with Printer's Imprint

2019.2.132

Envelope with four architectural themed postage stamps in brown, blue, red, and green and a fifth postage stamp of Winston Churchill in upper right corner. “LEIPZIG RECHMESSESTADT” stamped three times in black ink.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Caricature of Churchill, appearing somewhat dour, smoking a cigar, with a spitfire seeming to be falling from the sky behind him. Letters “WC” to Churchill’s left. Known as the Matthes card, vertical spine of card has the printer’s address: “Verlag Paul R. Matthes, Leipzig, etc.”
Envelope to Zagreb,Croatia with 'Borba' Stamp

2014.1.278

A white envelope with blue writing, as well as a blue postage stamp and two black hand stamps.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: A 1941 Croatian "Borba" stamp depicting the Legionnaires holding shields with the national emblems of Germany, Croatia, and Italy. The first Legionnaire holds a sword, symbol of the defense of Europe against Communism. The upper side of the stamp bears the inscription "Borba Udruzene Europa na lsoku" ["The struggle of a United Europe in the East"].
Reinhard Heydrich Stamp

2012.1.421

Black stamp with photograph of a death mask. Titled, "Deutsches Recih.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: On May 27, 1942, an assassination attempt was made on Reinhard Heydrich, the protector of Bohemia and Moravia. Heydrich died June 4 from infections caused by the failed assassination attempt. In reprisal, on the morning of June 7, the Nazis completely destroyed the Czech village of Lidice, twenty miles northwest of Prague. The male inhabitants of the village were killed, and women and children were sent to concentration camps. The stamp below was issued by the Nazis in honor of Heydrich -- it is an image of his death mask.
Currency Notes from Theresienstadt

2012.1.458a-h

Series of currency notes showing an illustration of Moses. Includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 kronen notes in varying sizes and colors.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: In the summer of 1942, the Nazis decided to create a Ghetto bank, with each resident receiving a fixed amount of money depending on which of five categories such resident belonged. The currency was designed by Peter Kien and printed by the national bank in Prague. At Heydrich's order, the picture of Moses was changed to conform to the Nazi cariacature of a Jew. The other side of the scrip contains the printed signature of Jakob Edelstein as the "Eldest of the Jews in Theresienstadt." The notes are dated January 1, 1943, but did not go into circulation until May, 1943. This is the currency that was presented to the Red Cross Committee.
Registered Nuremberg Cover Commemorating Hitler's 53rd Birthday, April 20, 1942

2019.2.209

Envelope with two purple postage stamps in top right corner, four round “Nürnberg” stamps in black ink, “Einschreiben” underlined in black print.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Special postmark depicts a Nazi Victory rune. The inscription reads “With the Fuhrer to Victory.” This postmark was used for one day only in only 6 German cities, including Nuremberg.
Croatian Souvenir Stamps - Croatian Legions

2014.1.280

Four stamps on serated off-white paper with blue text and decorations. Seal of Croatia above stamps and text in orange. Blue stamp with sailor, green stamp with airman, red stamp with soldier in action, grey stamp with soldier not in action. Each has different value.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Croatia (Croatian: Nezavisna Drzava Hrvatska, NDH) was a puppet state of Nazi Germany. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. It was controlled by the governing fascist Ustasha movement and Ante Pavelic, which in turn were primarily under German influence. Its racial enemies were Jews, Serbs and Roma people, against whom large-scale genocide campaigns were conducted in places such as the Jasenovac and Stara Gradiska concentration camps.
Croatian Souvenir Stamp - N.D.H. Ustasha Youth.

2014.1.283

Blue text and pictures on off-white paper. Rectangle within a Rectangle. In center is picture of trumpet with image of wreath with shield, shovel, torch and U.M. intertwined.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: N.D.H. Ustasha Youth. National Youth Society. 1943.Croatia (Croatian: Nezavisna Drzava Hrvatska, NDH) was a puppet state of Nazi Germany. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. It was controlled by the governing fascist Ustasha movement and Ante Pavelic, which in turn were primarily under German influence. Its racial enemies were Jews, Serbs and Roma people, against whom large-scale genocide campaigns were conducted in places such as the Jasenovac and Stara Gradiska concentration camps.
Croatian Souvenir Stamp - N.D.H. Philatelic Exhibition.

2014.1.284

Off-white sheet with serated stamp in middle. Stamp depicts a scenic town with townsfolk on the street outside of several buildings, including a clock tower in the back. At top is '1943' with 'HFS' splitting the 19 and 43.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Croatia (Croatian: Nezavisna Drzava Hrvatska, NDH) was a puppet state of Nazi Germany. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. It was controlled by the governing fascist Ustasha movement and Ante Pavelic, which in turn were primarily under German influence. Its racial enemies were Jews, Serbs and Roma people, against whom large-scale genocide campaigns were conducted in places such as the Jasenovac and Stara Gradiska concentration camps.
Ghetto Judenpost

2012.1.411a

Black paper with identical pink "Judenpost" stamps.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Litzmannstadt Ghetto Judenpost stamps, second issue 20 pf. Image of Modechai Chaim Rumkowski, "Alteste der Juden," (Elder of the Jews) in the ghetto.
Ghetto Judenpost

2012.1.411b

Small piece of cardboard with a blue "Judenpost" stamp. Includes a Star of David black hand stamp as well.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Litzmannstadt Ghetto Judenpost stamps, 5 pf single Judenpost stamp tied to part of Lodz postcard with forged Mogen David postmark.Image of Modechai Chaim Rumkowski, "Alteste der Juden," (Elder of the Jews) in the ghetto.
Theresienstadt Ghetto Stamp

2012.1.416a

Green stamp on serated paper. Titled, "Theresienstadt" with green illustration of trees and hills.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Theresienstadt Concentration Camp stamp prepared on order of the Nazis to be distributed to the Red Cross officials inspecting the ghetto. It was done to convince the inspectors that life in the ghetto was not too bad.
Warsaw Ghetto Scrip

2012.1.461a-d

Four pieces of scrip. Each are printed in blue on tan paper. Includes larger notes worth 25 and 50, and smaller notes worth 10 and 15. Each has designs that include a Star of David.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Once they were deported to the ghettos or concentration camps, prisoners in some camps would be issued scrip (pieces of essentially useless pieces of paper that had no value outside the particular facility) by the Nazis in exchange for their confiscated valuable currency. Ghettos or camps could have their own distinctive scrip and coins, often with many different issues. Two sets of initials appear on the Warsaw Ghetto scrip: RZwW, which stands for Jewish Government in Warsaw, and SPDZ, which stands for the Jewish Postal Division. The notes are blue in color and crudely printed from hand-engraved wood or linoleum plates. The 25 groszy is somewhat different from the other denominations in that the names of the two organizations, Rada Zydow w Warszawie (RZwW) and Skladnica Pocztowa Dzielnicy Zydowskiej (SPDZ), are spelled out. The 50 groszy is the highest denomination and also the most symbolic. On the notes' right is a SS symbol in a flame of fire. In the center is a barbed wire fence separating the flame from 18 stars (Mogen David), symbolizing the incarcerated Jews, to the left of the note. In April 1943, the Warsaw ghetto revolted in reaction to the Nazi plan to "relocate" the remaining inhabitants to the death camp in Treblinka. The Jewish leadership was well aware of what awaited them as deportations to the killing centers had been ongoing for over a year. Armed resistance fighters engaged the German army in house to house fighting for a month. On May 16, 1943, SS Maj. Gen. Juergen Stroop reported that his forces were victorious and had completed the round-up of all remaining Jews. In reality, small pockets of the resistance fought on for several more months. However, the vast majority of the population of the Jewish Ghetto of Warsaw were sent to their deaths.
Litzmannstadt Ghetto 5 Mark Coin

2019.2.73

Dark grey, aluminum coin. One side with “5 mark”, the other with a Star of David and "Ghetto 1943"

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:One of four denominations of coinage struck in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto out of aluminum, legal currency only in the ghetto used to purchase food or medicine.
Philatelic Postcard with Stamps Issued in 1943 with Special Postmark Inscription "The Fuhrer Leads, We Follow, 10th Anniversary of Coming into Power"

2019.2.210

Postcard with three postage stamps, swastika stamped twice in round stamps marked “MÜNCHEN” in black ink.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate depicted in the stamp design was an important symbol of Nazi power. A torchlight parade through this gate marked Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor on January 30, 1933.
Provisional Label/Stamp Used During the Period Between British Mandate and Beginning of Jewish State

2021.1.84

Four black-and-white stamps showing a man in a military uniform. Hebrew text along top and bottom borders. Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Brigadier General P.H. Kish, Chief Engineer of British 8th Army, Director of Political Department and Zionist.
Envelope with Antisemitic Stamp

2012.1.473

Blue envelope with address written in ink. Includes a pasted pink stamp with a caricature of a Jewish face

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:

This cover with Jewish Star of David superimposed upon a caricatured, particularly repulsive “Jewish” face commonly used on Julius Streicher’s tabloid products and drawings, here on regular mail with a message about the importance of resolving the “Jewish question,” has clearly resonated with the German public.
German Cover Commemorating 20th Anniversary of Munich "Putsch" with Inscription "UND IHR HABT DOCH GESIEGT" [And Despite All, You Were Victorious]

2019.2.211

Green envelope, red postage stamp with swastika in top right corner, addressed to “Herrn Dietrich Ott.”

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:A member of the Hitler Youth, dressed in uniform, is holding the flag as though to rally the party and the troops. The postmark was used only for November 9, 1943 and reads “Munich, Capital of the Movement.”
Litzmannstadt Judenpost Stamp depicting Jewish Elder head Chaim Rumkowski

2015.2.128

Green paper with an image on left side, and black bar on right side. Image includes the head of a man in glasses [Chaim Rumkowski, head of the Altestenate [Council of Jewish Elders] in Lodz Ghetto] surrounded by workers, as well as people walking up onto a wooden bridge. Includes text in white and black.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Rare 10 pfg. gray imperforate photographic essay depicting Chaim Rumkowski, head of Altestenate (Council of Jewish Elders) in Lodz Ghetto, printed on thick paper without gum.
Arthur Szyk: Four Freedoms Labels

2012.1.418

White serated paper with four illustrations labeled, "Freedom of Speech," "Freedom of Religion," "Freedom from Want," "Freedom from Fear."

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Arthur Szyk illustrator was the illustrator of the "Four Freedoms" labels, based on Roosevelt's January 1941 speech in which he proclaimed that all nations were entitled to these freedoms.
Lagergeld from Mittelbau-Dora

2012.1.462

White piece of paper with black ink. Outlined black rectangle with "Arbeitslager Mittelbau" across on a step of three thick lines. Back ground made from small vertical black lines. Worth -.01.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Mittelbau-Dora, sometimes known as Mittelbau or Nordhausen, was a Nazi concentration camp in Germany, in the Kohnstein South of the Harz Mountains as a sub-camp of the already existing Buchenwald Camp. Eventually it was comprised of more than forty camps. The main goal of the complex was to establish the underground production of armaments, notably the V-2 rocket. During its eighteen months of activity, approximately 60,000 prisoners from twenty-one nations passed through; an estimated 20,000 of those died in this prison.