German Reich year 1936 stamps Architecture – Bridges ☀ MNH**
In 1936, the German Reich issued a highly recognizable set of semi-postal stamps (charity stamps) as part of the annual Winterhilfswerk (Winter Relief Fund) series. This specific set is officially titled “Modern Architecture” or “Buildings and Landscapes,” and it famously highlights the engineering and architectural projects of the era, including the new Reichsautobahn (motorway) system.
1. The 1936 “Modern Architecture” Series
The set consists of 9 stamps issued on October 26, 1936. While the series covers various buildings, two specific values are iconic for their depiction of Bridges.
| Value | Image Subject | Location | Michel No. |
| 3 + 2 pf | Autobahn Bridge near Munich | Munich, Bavaria | 634 |
| 4 + 3 pf | Air Transport Ministry | Berlin | 635 |
| 5 + 3 pf | Hall of Honor (Luitpoldhain) | Nuremberg | 636 |
| 6 + 4 pf | Saale River Bridge | Rudolphstein, Thuringia | 637 |
| 8 + 4 pf | Deutschlandhalle | Berlin | 638 |
| 12 + 6 pf | Alpine Road (Alpenstraße) | Mauthäusl, Bavaria | 639 |
| 15 + 10 pf | The Führerbau | Munich | 640 |
| 25 + 15 pf | Mangfall Bridge | Weyarn, Upper Bavaria | 641 |
| 40 + 35 pf | House of German Art | Munich | 642 |
Key Identification
- Watermark: Swastika (Watermark 4).
- Perforation: 14.
- Surcharge: The second number (e.g., +2 pf) represents the donation to the Winter Relief Fund.
2. Notable Bridge Designs
Collectors often group the 3pf, 6pf, and 25pf values together as the “Bridge” stamps of this set:
- The Mangfall Bridge (25pf): This was considered a masterpiece of engineering at the time, featuring a massive steel girder design. On the stamp, it is shown in a striking ultramarine blue.
- The Saale Bridge (6pf): Depicted in dark green, this stone-arch style bridge at Rudolphstein was a major landmark on the Berlin-Munich motorway.
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