German Death Notices (Approx. 1500)

Item Details

Germany, 1915-1952

Good/Very good

In Germany throughout the early-mid 20th century, families often printed death notices to hand to guests at funeral services as a way to honor the dead and keep their memory. Death notices of fallen soldiers, particularly from WWII, are of interest to many collectors for their concise and moving representation of the human cost of war. Each card gestures at the personal history of the individual prior to the war, his military contribution, and his manner of death while also representing the social, political, and spiritual background of his community. 

This lot contains approximately 1,500 death notices, primarily from WWII, and some related ephemera. Most are either a two-sided card of approximately 4 ½” x 2 ½”, or the same as a booklet. They generally show a photo of the deceased in a black border with some basic information about the person, a mix of Nazi and Christian imagery, and often some poetry. A great number are dual notices for members of the same family that died in close proximity. 

While the iconography and conventions of most cards are similar, there is also quite a bit of variety. Some outliers include death notices of women and children, triple or even quadruple death notices, and notices for civilians who died after a long illness, in an air raid, in “terrorist attacks” on their city, or in at least one case, peacefully. One contains the original photo rather than a printed version, another shows two fellow soldiers paying respects at the grave of the fallen soldier, and a dozen or so honor soldiers from WWI. 
Included with the death notices are some related ephemera, including: a 1952 POW postcard from the Red Cross in the UDSSR in which a Johann Herzog wrote home, an undated obituary newspaper clipping, a 1935 certificate honoring WWI veteran Karl Johann Wagner the Cross of Honor for Frontline Fighters, and a dozen or so postcard-photos of a specialized military unit dressed for snow, soldier portraits, and candid shots of soldiers or civilian women. 

Most are in good condition with only slight wear. 

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