BACKGROUND: The BDM, Bund Deutscher Mädel, (League of German Girls), was the female counterpart of the HJ, for girls aged 15-17, and was originally established in December 1928 as the Schwesternschaft der HJ, (Sisterhood of the HJ). In July 1930 the organization was re-designated Bund Deutscher Mädel and in April 1931 the JM, Jungmädelgruppe, (Young Girls Group), for girls aged 10-14, was established as the counterpart of the DJ. On June 1^ST 1932 the BDM/JM gained official status as an independent organization of the NSDAP Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party). When applying for service with the BDM personnel were issued with a preliminary membership document which was exchanged for an "Ausweis", (Identification Card), when they were accepted for service. Originally membership was voluntary until regulations of September 1941 made membership compulsory for all females between ten and eighteen years old.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 3" x 4 3/4" (in its closed position), triple fold, tan cardstock "Mitglieds=Ausweis für den Bund deutscher Mädel in der Hitler=Jugend" (Membership=Identity-card for the League [of] German Girls in the Hitler=Youth). The Hitler Youth symbol of a mobile swastika within a two-tone diamond is above the aforementioned title, and a circular "Gaustempel" (District-stamp) is beneath it. To the bottom of the cover is a note establishing the identity card as non-transferable and the property of the Reichsjugendführung. The second page has the individual’s photograph, in full uniform with a beret, and signature, with an official stamp, and the signature of her group leader. The third page, with "Bund deutscher Mädel" to the top, records her personal information, with a 1934 date, and has the facsimile signatures of the "Reichsleiter" and "Stabsführer" to the bottom. To the top of the fourth page is "Überweisungen" (Transfers) with four blocks underneath, the first indicating her belonging to the "8" group in October of 1935, the second, dated a month later, showing that she then belonged to the "IV" group. An official stamp is alongside the latter entry. The remaining two are blank. Stapled into the seam between the third and fourth pages is a bi-fold addition whose first page, with an official stamp, is entitled "Ergänzung zu Mitglieds=Ausweis" (Supplement to [the] Membership=Identity-card). Both of its interior pages are blank but for their "Überweisungen und Änderungen" (Transfers and Changes) headings. The final page of this insert has a grid with the months of the year forming a vertical column to the left, with four other vertical columns proceeding to the right, the closest with a "1938" date to its top and dues stamps from January to October beneath it. The fifth page is entitled "Sonstige Änderungen (Wohnung etc.)" (Other Changes (Residence etc.)), and has a single address written to the lines provided beneath it. The sixth page, which forms the back cover to the closed document, has a grid with the years 1934 to 1937 along the top and the months forming a vertical column to the left. Dues stamps have been applied to all of the spaces but for the first four months of 1934. Light to moderate age and usage soiling is evident to both the front and back covers, and there are two neat holes punched through them for filing.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $165.00