BACKGROUND: Artwork, as a propaganda tool, was widely used during the Third Reich and Hitler’s own humble artistic background also helped foster a general interest in German art. Many art exhibitions were held through-out German during the time period with the largest being held annually, ever summer from 1937 to 1944, at the German House of Art in Munich. As early as 1938 the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), actively began recruiting artists who were assigned to a units Propaganda Company along with photographers and journalists which accompanied all three branches of service in the field. In his position as the Reichsminister, für Volkserklärung und Propaganda, (National Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda), Dr. Paul Josef Goebbels assisted the Armed Forces by compiling a list of suitable photographers, journalist and artists, and provided an eight week war correspondents training program for them. The photographs, artwork and reports from the Propaganda Companies were utilized to maintain morale, assist in recruitment and record the exploits of the German Armed Forces in the field and was utilized in assorted magazines, postcards and posters. By the end of the war almost two hundred war artists had served in the Wehrmacht. Of Note: The word Propaganda did not have the negative connotation to the Germans as it does to the English.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 4 1/8" x 5 7/8", mid-weight cardstock postcard features full color artwork of a group of seven, armed and uniformed soldiers on the march in a desolate, muddy landscape. The soldiers are all wearing helmets and their splinter camouflage patterned M31 quarter shelter/ponchos. One soldier is carrying a machine gun while the rest are carrying K98 rifles. The reverse of the postcard has black printed script that includes, "Nach dem Gemälde, Durch russische Steppe von Lipus", ({Reproduced} From the painting, Through Russian Steppes by Lipus), and, "Ausgestellt auf der Großen Deutschen Kunstausstellung München 1942", (Issued at the Greater German Art Exhibition Munich 1942). The unused postcard is in overall very good condition with light age yellowing and a couple of small scars to the upper corners.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $39.00