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. By the end of the war almost two hundred war artists had served in the Wehrmacht. The SS-FHA, SS-Führungshauptamt, (SS-Operational Headquarters), also realized the importance of propaganda and as early as 1938 they began to actively recruit voluntary artists, photographers and journalists who were assigned to a SS-War correspondent’s company. In 1940 the SS-War correspondent’s company was fielded to record the exploits of the Waffen-SS in the field. In 1941 the SS-War correspondent’s company was expanded to battalion strength. Further expansion increased the SS-War correspondent’s battalion to regimental strength in 1943. The artwork, photographs and reports from the war correspondent companies were utilized to maintain morale, assist in recruitment and record the exploits of the Waffen-SS in the field. Much of the war correspondents work appeared in the SS newspaper, Das Schwarz Korps, (The Black Corp). The artwork and photographs of the war correspondents were also used in recruitment posters and postcards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 4" x 5 3/4", mid-weight card-stock, postcard with black and white printed artwork featuring a group of armed, medieval, serfs with the central figure wearing armor and brandishing a large broadsword. The artwork is nicely detailed and includes a young drummer and assorted club, blade and staff weapons. The reverse of the postcard has black printed script, with SS runes, that includes, "Deutsche Künstler und die SS. Wilhelm Sauter, Bundschuh-Hauptmann Joß mit seinen Bauern Nr. 9408", (German Art and the SS. Wilhelm Sauter, German Peasants’ Confederation Captain Joß with his farmers Number 9408), and, "Herausgegeben im Auftrag: Der Reichsführer-SS SS-Hauptamt Berlin", (Published on behalf of: The National Leader of the SS. SS-Central Office Berlin). Of Note: The German Peasants’ Confederation, consisting of poor farmers and villagers, revolted against oppressive, wealthy, landowners and leaders which resulted in the Peasant’s War of 1524-1526 when they attempted to gain social and political equality. Although the peasants were suppressed during the short conflict they did receive some concessions from those in power. The postcard is in overall very good condition with minor age yellowing.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $69.00