German Reich year 1944 / Charity Stamps – Mother and Child
In 1944, the German Reich issued a series of “Wohlfahrtsmarken” or “Charity Stamps” featuring the theme “Mutter und Kind” (“Mother and Child”). These stamps were sold at a premium, with the additional proceeds going to charitable organizations that supported mothers and children in need.
The stamps in this series featured artwork depicting the bond between mothers and their children, emphasizing the importance of motherhood and family in Nazi ideology. Some of the notable designs include:
- A mother holding her infant child, with a soft, nurturing expression.
- A mother reading to her two young children, conveying the importance of education and family togetherness.
- A mother and her child in a rural setting, symbolizing the Nazi ideal of a connection to the land and the importance of a healthy, agrarian lifestyle.
These images were meant to evoke feelings of tenderness, love, and the importance of the family unit. However, it is essential to consider the context in which these stamps were issued. The Nazi regime placed great emphasis on the role of women as mothers and caretakers, discouraging their participation in the workforce and political life. The idealized depiction of motherhood in these stamps was part of a broader propaganda effort to reinforce traditional gender roles and to encourage women to bear children for the “Aryan” race.
Furthermore, by 1944, Germany was suffering from severe hardships due to the ongoing war, with many families struggling to meet basic needs. The “Charity Stamps” series can be seen as an attempt to boost morale and to project an image of the Nazi regime as a caring and supportive entity, despite the realities of the time.
