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Mi.499-507 (01.11.1933) W.H.W. - Wagner's operas

Cover sent from Hamburg to Exter, featuring Mi.499 (3 Pf - Tannhäuser) and Mi.507 (40 Pf - Parsifal). Ref: 17.11.1933 - 14/47

Stamps first issued on 1st November 1933. The first charity stamps of the 3rd Reich period (German aid for the needy), the images depict various scenes from Richard Wagner’s Operas.


Mi.499 - 507

Winter Relief Fund: Wagner's operas

In the past, charity stamps were only available at the P.O.'s but htis issue could also be obtained at the offices of 'Deutsche Nothilfe', both inside and outside Germany. The G.P.O. recieved 5% of the surtax of these stamps, the remainder going to the W.H.W. funds. This issue was originally declared invalid after February 1934, but this date was extended to March so that the could be used in conjunction with the laying of the Richard Wagner memorial stone in Leipzig. Again this date was extended to the final date of 30th September 1934 so that the stamps could be used at the Wagner Festival at Bayreuth in June/August. A slogan postmark was used from 10.07.1934 to 23.08.1934. By this time however these stamps were only available at the G.P.O. and Nothilfe Offices at Beyreuth and Munich. (Harper & Scheck)


Notes: Design: Professor Alois Kolb. Recess printing. Sheets 5 x 10. Watermark: Swastikas (the first stamp issue to have this watermark). Perf. All values perf.14 x 13 (13¾ x 13 - Harper & Scheck), with values 4+2, 6+4, 8+4, 12+3 and 20+10 Pf also being perf.14 (13¾ x 14 - Harper & Scheck). Valid until 30.09.1934


Quantity issued: Mi.499 = 1,818,070; Mi.500 = 2,516,880; Mi.501 = 1,618,361; Mi.502 = 4,328,111; Mi.503 = 2,643,286; Mi.504 = 5,220,555; Mi.505 = 373,121; Mi.506 = 467,795; Mi.507 = 264,238


Mi.499 - Tannhäuser. Ref: 17.11.1933 - 14/47
Mi.499 - Tannhäuser. Ref: 17.11.1933 - 14/47
Mi.500 - Scene depicting the Flying Dutchman. Ref: 06.03.1934
Mi.500 - Scene depicting the Flying Dutchman. Ref: 06.03.1934
Mi.501 - From 'Rheingold' a scene depicting the three sisters of the Rhine, Woglinde, Wellgunde and Flosshilde. After loosing the Rhinegold to the dwarf Alberich, so commences the sequence of events which form the subject of the 'Ring' series of operas. Alberich is seen in the background with the stolen Rheingold from which he fashions the magic ring. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35
Mi.501 - From 'Rheingold' a scene depicting the three sisters of the Rhine, Woglinde, Wellgunde and Flosshilde. After loosing the Rhinegold to the dwarf Alberich, so commences the sequence of events which form the subject of the 'Ring' series of operas. Alberich is seen in the background with the stolen Rheingold from which he fashions the magic ring. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35
Mi.502A (early use) - In a scene from Act II of 'The Mastersinger', Hans Sachs, the cobbler, sits in front of his dwelling making shoes for Beckmesser, one of the rivals for the hand of the lovely Eva. Ref: 04.11.1933
Mi.502A (early use) - In a scene from Act II of 'The Mastersinger', Hans Sachs, the cobbler, sits in front of his dwelling making shoes for Beckmesser, one of the rivals for the hand of the lovely Eva. Ref: 04.11.1933
Mi.503 - From 'Die Walküre', a scene depicting Woton, the God of Gods, bending over Brünnhilde, his daughter, and one of the shield maidens (Valkyries), and taking her helmet from her. This is a scene from Act III where Brünnhilde, having displeased her father, is put by him into the magic trance from which she is awakened by Siegfried. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35
Mi.503 - From 'Die Walküre', a scene depicting Woton, the God of Gods, bending over Brünnhilde, his daughter, and one of the shield maidens (Valkyries), and taking her helmet from her. This is a scene from Act III where Brünnhilde, having displeased her father, is put by him into the magic trance from which she is awakened by Siegfried. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35
Mi.504 - The scene depicts Siegfried slaying Fafner, guardian of Wotan's treasure and the magic ring. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35
Mi.504 - The scene depicts Siegfried slaying Fafner, guardian of Wotan's treasure and the magic ring. Ref: 20.08.1934 - 2/35

Mi.505 (20+10 Pf)



Mi.507 - Parsifal. Ref: 17.11.1933 - 14/47
Mi.507 - Parsifal. Ref: 17.11.1933 - 14/47
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