[Below: This is one of the coolest items I've come across in a while. The graphic is hand drawn and the words are handwritten.
It was sent registered and bears a special commemorative postage stamp and postmark from January 30, 1944, marking the 11th anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. The envelope is addressed to the Regional Director of the Reich Chamber of Visual Arts in Karlsruhe. This was Hermann Kupferschmid, a German painter, etcher, and educator who served as the Landesleiter (Regional Director) of the Reichskammer der bildenden Künste for the Gau Baden region from July 1939 onward.
'Biography and Artistic Career: Born in 1880, Kupferschmid was a trained artist and architect who initially studied at the Karlsruhe State Academy of Fine Arts under notable German painters like Hans Thoma.
Focus on Industrial Art: He became well-known for his detailed etchings and illustrations depicting heavy industry, factories, and laborers at work—themes that later aligned cleanly with the "labor and steel" aesthetics favored by National Socialist imagery.
Military Service: He served in World War I and again as a reserve captain during World War II, deployed to Alsace and Ukraine. He was discharged from active duty in 1943 due to a severe sciatica condition, allowing him to return to Karlsruhe full-time to resume teaching at the Art Academy and managing his regional political duties.'
[Below: Hermann Kupferschmid in his studio. He joined the NSDAP on August 1, 1930.]
[Below: A work by Hermann Kupferschmid. During the war an Allied bombing raid destroyed his studio and a large part of his work.]
[Below: Close-up of text. It says:
'Der Führer hielt zum 11. Jahrestag der Machtübernahme am Sonntag, den 30. Januar 1944 aus seinem Hauptquartier eine Rede an das deutsche Volk. Worte aus der Rede des Führers zum Tag der Machtübernahme: 'Ohne den 30. Januar 1933 gäbe es in Europa keinen Faktor, der dem bolschewistischen Koloß entgegentreten könnte. In diesem Kampf kann es nur einen Sieger geben, und der wird entweder Deutschland oder Sowjetrußland sein. Der Sieg Deutschlands bedeutet die Erhaltung Europas, der Sieg Sowjetrußlands seine Vernichtung. 'Seine Rede endete mit dem Schlußsatz: 'Dieser Kampf wird deshalb am Ende trotz aller Teufeleien unserer Gegner zum größten Sieg des Deutschen Reiches führen!'
("The Führer delivered a speech to the German people on Sunday, January 30, 1944, from his headquarters on the 11th anniversary of the seizure of power. Words from the Führer's speech on the Day of the Seizure of Power: 'Without January 30, 1933, there would be no factor in Europe capable of opposing the Bolshevist colossus. In this struggle, there can be only one victor, and that will be either Germany or Soviet Russia. The victory of Germany means the preservation of Europe, the victory of Soviet Russia its destruction. 'His speech ended with the closing sentence: 'This struggle will therefore ultimately lead, despite all the trickeries of our enemies, to the greatest victory of the German Reich!'")]
[Below: Close-up of sword.]
[Below: Close-up of postage stamp.]
[Below: Envelope reverse. This shows a receival stamp of June 3, 1944, almost three months since it was sent!]
[Below: Another aspect of this exciting piece of history is what is inside the envelope - a newspaper named Der Führer! It is from Karlsruhe, dated January 31, 1944. It has been neatly folded inside the large envelope.]
[Below: Reverse of the folded newspaper.]
[Below: Newspaper unfolded - front.]
[Below: Newspaper unfolded - reverse. Note that I did not take a picture of the inside two pages.]
[Below: Close-up of article. It says:
'Germany and Japan Fight for Their Existence
The Japanese Government Spokesman on January 30 — Japan Admires Germany
Tokyo, Jan. 30. On the occasion of the eleventh anniversary of the seizure of power in Germany, the spokesman of the Reich government, Iguchi, delivered a statement to German correspondents in Tokyo, in which he highlighted the achievements of National Socialism over the course of the years. The achievements of National Socialism under the leadership of Adolf Hitler were great and unique. They were even tacitly recognized by the enemy. Iguchi emphasized as particularly noteworthy the unity of the German people, and the great rise of Germany as a result of this unity; industry and agriculture flourished once more, unemployment disappeared, and after the proposals of the National Socialist leadership for general disarmament were not followed, the Führer created a military once again. The extent to which Germany had become defensive and combat-ready was being proven in the current war. The solidarity of the German people as one single man was demonstrating itself particularly during the terror attacks, where the Germans stood with unshakable morale and iron determination against the coming day of retaliation.
Germany's rise in the Third Reich, the spokesman explained, was not aimed at world domination, as was the case with England and the USA. Germany was fighting purely for its existence. The exact same was true for Japan, and the similarity of their goals and worldviews formed the basis for the firm solidarity between both countries.
Special Broadcast by the Japanese Radio
The Japanese radio network also broadcasted a special program on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the Day of the Seizure of Power, in which the President of the Japanese-German Cultural Association, Ino, delivered a speech. He stated that the entire Japanese people were filled with great shock and indignation over the barbaric terror attacks by the English against Berlin and so many other German cities. It deserved the greatest admiration that the German people stood calm, collected, and unfazed in unbreakable combat-community with their Führer Adolf Hitler, risking everything to achieve victory. Every Japanese person knew that in the allied nation of Germany, day and night, greatest efforts were being made unremittingly and unswervingly. Japan paid its highest respect to its brother-in-arms for its heroic commitment.
A boundless outrage filled the entire civilized world over the Anglo-American terror attacks. England and America had thereby revealed their true nature before the entire world. The successes that they could not achieve through honest combat, they believed they could achieve by using any means necessary for ruthless attacks against peaceful citizens. But by now, England and America must surely have realized that the home fronts in Japan and Germany, as well as among all allies, stood unshaken. The enemy would find a steel wall against which his attacks would bleed dry. On all fronts in Europe, the troops of England and America would be defeated by the power of German soldiers. Just how wretchedly the terror attacks on the German homeland were actually operating. One could say today without exaggeration that all their plans had already been brought to ruin. The Fortress of Europe stood as an insurmountable bulwark, and in the East stood the vast Greater East Asia under the leadership of the Tenno with its high ideals. On the eleventh anniversary of the seizure of power by the NSDAP, Japan and Germany were more firmly bound together than ever before. On the clenched will to victory of Japan and Germany, all the delusional plans of the enemy would shatter.']
[Below: Close-up of another article. This says:
'The Heavy Defensive Battles on the Eastern Front Continue
Heavy Losses for the Soviets — Hard Fighting Between Lake Ilmen and the Finnish Gulf
Renewed Enemy Shipping Losses off Nettuno — 61 U.S. Bombers Shot Down During Terror Attack on Frankfurt am Main
From the Führer’s Headquarters, Jan. 30. The High Command of the Wehrmacht announces:
Northwest of Kirovograd, southwest of Cherkasy, and in the area east and southeast of Belaya Tserkov, our troops are engaged in heavy defensive combat against strong Soviet infantry and armored forces. While the Bolshevists succeeded in making local penetrations in some sectors, their attacks failed elsewhere under high bloody losses for the enemy. In the course of successful counterattacks, enemy forces that had broken through in the region south of Pogrebishche were encircled. Facing annihilation, they are attempting to break out despite repeated relief attempts. During further advances, our armored units west of Polonnoje recaptured several villages. The enemy suffered high casualties here as well.
In these battles, the commanding general of an armored division, Major General Schulz, died a hero's death at the head of his division, decorated with the highest bravery award by the Führer. In him, the Army loses one of its finest officers, and the armored corps a model commander.
In the area west of Novograd-Volynsky, the combat activity flared up again. Soviet advances were repulsed. Between the Pripyat and Berezina rivers, Soviet attempts to expand a breakthrough from previous battles failed. North of Nevel, local enemy attacks were thrown back. At the Novosokolniki salient, a protruding front section was withdrawn to a prepared position according to plan.
Between Lake Ilmen and the Finnish Gulf, our troops repelled hostile attacks at several points. Elsewhere, hard fighting is underway against Bolshevists pushing westward and southward.
On the Southern Italian front, the enemy attacked on a broad front in the sector of Minturno – Castelforte and northwest of San Elia following heavy artillery preparation. In heavy, costly fighting around Monte Tuga, which was lost but recaptured by our troops after bitter close-quarters combat, the enemy was thrown back. In the other front sectors, the enemy was repulsed in hard fighting.
At the Nettuno beachhead, the enemy remained passive yesterday, attacking at only one point in battalion strength without success. Our own successful probing attacks brought in prisoners.
The Luftwaffe also attacked enemy shipping off Nettuno on January 29, sinking one destroyer and two freighters totaling 14,000 GRT (Gross Register Tonnage). Four more freighters totaling 28,000 GRT, as well as a landing craft, were damaged. This means that since January 22, the German Luftwaffe has sunk five destroyers, five freighters totaling 27,000 GRT, and seven landing craft during the defense against the enemy landing fleet. Three cruisers, six destroyers, 41 freighters totaling 201,000 GRT, as well as 19 landing craft, were damaged. The destruction of a portion of these ships is to be expected.
Security vessels of a German convoy destroyed several unsuccessful attacks by British motor torpedo boats in the English Channel and shot one of the boats into flames.
North American bomber formations conducted a terror raid against the city of Frankfurt am Main on January 29. Through the dropping of numerous mines, high-explosive, and incendiary bombs, heavy damage and fires were caused in several city districts, particularly in the inner city, and irreplaceable cultural monuments were destroyed. The population suffered losses. According to reports received so far, 61 enemy aircraft, mostly four-engine bombers, were shot down over the Reich territory and the occupied western regions. Some enemy aircraft dropped bombs on western German territory last night.
Strong formations of the German Luftwaffe attacked London during the late evening hours of yesterday. Heavy fires and explosions were observed in the city area.
We Want to Remain Resolute Warriors
The Gauleiter Spoke in Strasbourg on the Day of the Seizure of Power
Strasbourg, 30. Jan. National Socialist Strasbourg united on January 30, along with the Party, State, and Wehrmacht, led by the generals of the garrison, in the singer-haus to commemorate the turning point of the movement 11 years ago. The participants felt connected to the creator of the New Order and Führer of the European liberation struggle, integrated into the musical accompaniment provided by the music corps of the elite SS-Panzer Division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" playing stirring march music. The profound, passionate commitment to the Führer, whose voice would once again speak to us from the Führer’s Headquarters, formed the guiding theme of the speech by the Gauleiter, who, accompanied by Deputy Gauleiter Köhn, was received with enthusiastic applause upon entering the hall at 10:30 AM.
The Gauleiter presented to the spiritual eye of his listeners the glorious resurrection of the German nation and the unheard-of rapid internal reconstruction since 1933, directing their gaze back to the origins, namely the ideological struggle. The movement entered political life at a moment when the confrontation between the dying world of the bourgeoisie and Marxism had reached its absolute peak. Today, the question is no longer National Socialist or bourgeois victory—it is Hitler or Stalin! The leadership of the Führer guarantees that this war will not end in a negotiated peace, but will be fulfilled literally. The hallmark of an outright miserable blindness exists in French minds still harboring the thought of a possible resurrection of the old world. Never again will the old times return. "We have the firm conviction," stated the Gauleiter under loud agreement, "that as we give the Führer our absolute loyalty for the struggle and the inner strength to support our soldiers, we will break any resistance once again, one way or another! For the Führer has overcome every crisis so far, and has struck down every opponent. This was from the very beginning our faith, which he gave back to us through our long, difficult combat for our existence. On this very day, we declare to our enemies: This man is too great for you to ever bring down. True to the day of the new foundation of the Reich, we want to solemnly vow that we will remain what we have always been: resolute warriors who know no exhaustion, no sacrifice, no disappointment, but only our duty to fulfill."
The rally was concluded with a parade of the deployment formation of the Gau leadership with several branches of the Wehrmacht. To the sound of martial music, the formation marched through the rain-soaked city. As they marched past the Reich Statthalterei (Reich Governor's Office), the Gauleiter could see for himself the fine soldierly and disciplined bearing of the formation.']
