US anti-Nazi Germany boycott poster stamp with a swastika formed by snakes
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.125 inches (2.858 cm) | Width: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm)
Creator(s)
- American Jewish Congress (Distributor)
Biographical History
The American Jewish Congress (AJC) was first convened in 1918 as an organization of American Jewish leaders pursuing equal rights for Americans. In 1936, the AJC helped establish the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and acted as a liaison between the WJC and the American government on issues related to emergency relief for Jewish refugees. After World War II, the WJC assisted the rebuilding of European Jewish communities, and the AJC aided these efforts by providing support for Holocaust survivors, displaced persons, and other victims of the war.
Archival History
The stamp was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2017 by Gregg Philipson.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum collection, gift of Gregg and Michelle Philipson
Scope and Content
Poster stamp, issued and distributed in 1935 by the American Jewish Congress (AJC). Although they were not valid for postage, poster stamps could be affixed to letters and envelopes as fund-raising, propaganda, and educational tools. The AJC was founded in 1918 by Jewish-American leaders to fight for the civil rights of minorities. During the 1930s, AJC president Rabbi Stephen Wise began speaking out about the dangers of Nazism. The organization led a counter-boycott of German goods in 1933. In 1936, the AJC helped establish the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and acted as a liaison between the WJC and the U.S. government. During the Holocaust, the AJC and the WJC worked to raise funds to help rescue European Jews and promoted the creation of a Jewish State in Israel.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular poster stamp with three perforated edges on yellow paper with a printed, black, graphic design. The bottom edge is unperforated. The slogan is split above and below the central image. In the center is a stylized swastika with four snake heads on the ends of each arm. The swastika overlays a background of an open field with clouds and hills on the horizon. There is another, small, swastika set into the ground to the lower left of the central image. In the two upper corners are the initials of the issuing organization. On the back is a number handwritten in pencil.
back, center, handwritten, graphite : 6022
People
- Wise, Stephen S. (Stephen Samuel), 1874-1949.
Corporate Bodies
- American Jewish Congress
Subjects
- Anti-Nazi propaganda.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Foreign public opinion, American.
- Anti-Nazi movement.
- Jews--New York (State)--New York.
- New York (N.Y.)
- Jews--United States--Charities--Influence.
- Boycotts.
- United States.
Genre
- Stamps.
- Object
- Posters