The 1937 German Winter Relief Fund Stamp Series, issued by the Deutsches Reich, is one of the most striking maritime-themed stamp issues of the pre-war period. This series features ships, lifeboats, lighthouses, and other maritime-related themes, celebrating Germany’s naval heritage and advancements in seafaring technology.
Released on November 4, 1937, this nine-stamp set was designed as a charity issue to support the Winterhilfswerk (WHW) or Winter Relief Fund, a program aimed at assisting the poor during the harsh winter months. The stamps were designed by Axster-Heudtlass and produced using recess engraving, showcasing detailed and highly artistic depictions of ships and naval history.
This blog post provides historical background, technical specifications, and a full catalogue listing from the Stanley Gibbons catalogue, making it a definitive reference for collectors.
Historical Background: Supporting Winter Relief Through Maritime Stamps
The Winterhilfswerk (WHW) was an important state-run welfare program in Nazi Germany, designed to help the unemployed and the poor during the winter season. To fund this initiative, the government issued special charity stamps, with a surcharge added to the regular postal rate. These stamps often featured cultural, industrial, or military themes to promote national pride and public participation.
The 1937 Winter Relief Fund series was dedicated to Germany’s maritime and naval history, highlighting lifeboats, ocean liners, lightships, and historic vessels that played key roles in German seafaring and commerce. The stamps honour the country’s naval engineering, exploration, and shipbuilding achievements, making this series an important part of Germany’s philatelic and maritime heritage.
Technical Features of the 1937 Winter Relief Fund Stamps
- Issue Date: November 4, 1937
- Purpose: Charity Issue (Winter Relief Fund Stamps)
- Printing Method: Engraved (Recess Printing)
- Designer: Axster-Heudtlass
- Perforation: 13½ × 14
- Watermark: No Watermark
- Denominations: 3 Pfennig to 40 Pfennig
- Depictions: Various ships, naval vessels, and maritime landmarks
Complete List of Stamps, Catalogue Numbers, and Valuations
- No. 639 – 3 Pfennig + 2 Pfennig Bistre-Brown (Bremen Lifeboat, 1931) (£0.65 mint unmounted, £0.30 mint mounted, £0.65 used)
- Depicts the Bremen lifeboat, which played a crucial role in North Sea rescues.
- Booklet Pane (Nos. 639×4 and 644×5 + label): (£75.00 mint unmounted, £45.00 mint mounted)
- No. 640 – 4 Pfennig + 3 Pfennig Blue-Black (Bürgermeister Oswald Lightship) (£12.00 mint unmounted, £1.80 mint mounted, £1.90 used)
- Illustrates the Bürgermeister Oswald lightship, an essential navigational aid in German waters.
- No. 641 – 5 Pfennig + 3 Pfennig Emerald (Fishing Smacks) (£0.65 mint unmounted, £0.30 mint mounted, £0.65 used)
- Depicts fishing smacks, small traditional fishing vessels used along the German coast.
- Booklet Pane (Nos. 641×5 and 642×5): (£38.00 mint unmounted, £23.00 mint mounted)
- No. 642 – 6 Pfennig + 4 Pfennig Deep Grey-Green (Wilhelm Gustloff Liner) (£0.65 mint unmounted, £0.30 mint mounted, £0.65 used)
- Shows the Wilhelm Gustloff, an ocean liner that later became infamous for its wartime sinking in 1945.
- No. 643 – 8 Pfennig + 4 Pfennig Indian Red (Padua Barque – Four-Masted Sailing Ship) (£7.50 mint unmounted, £1.10 mint mounted, £1.90 used)
- Depicts the sailing ship Padua, one of the last four-masted barques built in Germany.
- No. 644 – 12 Pfennig + 6 Pfennig Brown-Red (Tannenberg Liner) (£1.30 mint unmounted, £0.35 mint mounted, £0.65 used)
- Features the Tannenberg, a German passenger liner that operated in the Baltic Sea.
- No. 645 – 15 Pfennig + 10 Pfennig Chocolate (Schwerin Train Ferry) (£16.00 mint unmounted, £2.50 mint mounted, £6.25 used)
- Illustrates the Schwerin train ferry, a vessel designed to transport railway cars across water routes.
- No. 646 – 25 Pfennig + 15 Pfennig Dull Ultramarine (Hamburg Liner) (£36.00 mint unmounted, £5.00 mint mounted, £6.25 used)
- Shows the Hamburg ocean liner, which played a role in transatlantic voyages.
- No. 647 – 40 Pfennig + 35 Pfennig Purple (Europa Liner) (£60.00 mint unmounted, £9.00 mint mounted, £12.50 used)
- Depicts the Europa, one of the fastest ocean liners of its time, built to compete in the transatlantic passenger service.
- Horizontal Ribbed Gum Variant Value: (£60.00 mint unmounted, £9.00 mint mounted, £12.50 used)
- Vertically Ribbed Gum Variant Value: (£120.00 mint unmounted, £19.00 mint mounted, £28.00 used)
- Complete Set of 9 Stamps (Nos. 639-647) – (£120.00 mint unmounted, £28.00 mint mounted)
Why Is This Series Highly Collectible?
- Highlights Germany’s Maritime History – Features historic lifeboats, ocean liners, and lightships, showcasing Germany’s engineering and naval expertise.
- Strong Artistic Appeal – The engraved designs create highly detailed images of ships, vessels, and maritime landmarks, making this one of the most visually impressive charity stamp series.
- Rare and Valuable Variants – The 40 Pfennig Europa stamp (No. 647) is the most valuable, particularly the vertically ribbed gum variant, priced at £120 mint unmounted.
- Booklet Panes Add Collector Value – The Bremen lifeboat (No. 639) and Fishing Smacks (No. 641) booklet panes are highly desirable, valued up to £75.00.
- Part of the Winter Relief Fund Series – As a charity issue, this set has historical significance related to Germany’s social welfare programs of the 1930s.
Conclusion: A Stunning Tribute to Germany’s Maritime Legacy
The 1937 German Winter Relief Fund Stamp Series is a historically and artistically significant collection, offering a fascinating glimpse into Germany’s naval heritage and seafaring traditions. With its detailed engravings, strong thematic appeal, and high-value rarities, this set remains one of the most desirable Deutsche Reich stamp issues from the pre-war era.
For collectors interested in classic German stamps, maritime history, or charity philately, acquiring these stamps adds both aesthetic and historical value to any collection.