BACKGROUND: The origins of the Hitler Jugend, (Hitler Youth), may be traced back to March 1922 with the formation of the Jugendbund der NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (Youth League of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party), under control of the SA, Sturmabteilung, (Storm/Assault Detachment). In April 1924 the Jugendbund der NSDAP was renamed Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung (Greater German Youth Movement), and on July 4^TH 1926 the Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung was officially renamed Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, (Hitler Youth League of German Worker Youth). Originally the HJ was commanded by Kurt Gruber until Hitler appointed Baldur von Schirach as Reichsjugendführer, (National Youth Leader), in June 1933. Von Schirach remained in command of the HJ until August 1940 when he was replaced with Artur Axmann. When applying for service with the HJ, 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 December, 1939, made membership compulsory for all males between ten and eighteen years old.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 5 3/4" x 4 1/8", seven leaf, printed savings booklet with mid-weight, light brown cardstock cover. The front cover has a black printed stylized political eagle clutching a wreathed HJ diamond and script that includes, "Sparmarkenheft für die HJ", (Savings-Stamp book for the HJ). The front cover also has an area to enter the recipients name with name handwritten in place. The interior pages are divided into four vertical and five horizontal columns to record savings deposits. The columns all have script near the bottom of the pages indicating what information is to be entered in the appropriate column. The inside front cover has a handwritten entry which indicates the owner deposited two Reichsmarks on "2. 6. 42". The pages all have perforations indicating they were intended to be removed when full with the first page having nine green ten Reichs Pfennig paper stamps and a single purple twenty Reichs Pfennig paper stamp. The interior back cover has the printed heading, "Dein Sparen hilft dem Volk", (Your savings help the people), followed by six guides to saving your money. The book has some scuffing to the cover, a crease to the bottom and the pages are yellowing with the first couple almost separated at the perforations, the book is otherwise in fair condition with all the writing legible.

GRADE**3/4                             PRICE $42.00