Sheet of US poster stamps addressing Polish Jews

Sheet of poster stamps issued and distributed in 1942 by the American Federation for Polish Jews. Although they were not valid for postage, poster stamps could be affixed to letters and envelopes as fundraising, propaganda, and educational tools. The American Federation for Polish Jews was founded in 1908 in New York City as the Federation of Russian-Polish Hebrews, and changed their name in the 1920s. During the Holocaust, the American Federation coordinated with the World Federation to provide relief and assistance to Jews living in Poland. Despite the promise printed on the stamp to not turn their back on European Jews, the United States government made it increasingly difficult for refugees to enter the country. Prior to entering the war in 1941, the State Department feared infiltration and espionage, and required multiple moral and financial affidavits in addition to a number of other documents for those wishing to enter the country. Additionally, they maintained a strict quota system, which restricted the number of visas granted each year. Fleeing Europe became even more difficult in July 1941, when U.S. consulates closed in Nazi-occupied territories, including Poland.