[Various Artists]

Original Lithographed Poster: Ein Volk Hilft Sich Selbst - Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes

Berlin: [Nationalsozialistiche Volkswohlfahrt], 1938. Lithograph printed in black and brown on cream stock, 42cm X 30cm (ca.16.5" X 11.75"). Folded vertically at center, with marginal toning to extremities and a few small corner creases; Near Fine.

Original advertising poster for the Winterhilfswerk (or WHW), a social relief program designed to provide food, clothing, coal and other items to needy German citizens during the winter months (October-March). The program was instituted under the government of Heinrich Bruning in 1931, though Hitler would ultimately claim sole credit for the idea. Depending on whether an individual was single or married, and how many children he or she had, recipients were entitled to a weekly/monthly stipend, and rations of food and coal to ensure they and their families would neither starve nor freeze. Indeed, the program's motto was "None shall starve or freeze." Under Nazi rule, all German citizens were required to give to the program - one of Hitler's ingenious ways of uniting the nation. Large donations to the fund were also a means of establishing ones loyalty to the Nazi Party without the commitment of joining it.

The present example explains how to donate to the fund, and provides a detailed chart showing exactly how much individual or family recipients could benefit from the program. An attractive survival showing the dynamics of German social welfare.

Price: $250.00

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