My WWII Propaganda Poster Collection

[ChristianM80]

Hi Jeff,

The artist I believe is R. Seyfried, whom I have not been able to find
any information on.

He did a whole series of 'Day of the German Police posters'.

These are in the Bundesarchiv collection in Berlin.

[erik1925]

Is the last name possibly Siegfried?

I can see how the writing sort of looks that way (your initial spelling). And I noticed on the other images you posted that they identify the artist as "R Sigfrid." When I took German, I never saw the Siegfried name spelled that way, tho.

[ChristianM80]

That is what I initially thought too... Siegfried!

However I had seen from multiple sources that it was 'Seyfried', which I don't think looks correct.

I would be inclined to think that the Bundesarchiv are closer to the correct name.

Unfortunately there are many artists from this period that there is little to no information on.

Many posters printed in occupied countries such as Norway and the Netherlands actually have
far better records of who the posters were by, the sizes they came in and how many were printed
during the war. The Norwegian records are second to none in this regard, although I wish they
had as extensive information about posters from other occupied countries as well as Germany itself.

Unfortunately so much information was lost or destroyed in Germany so records are few and far
between.

[erik1925]

Hey Christian, last night I wrote to the Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin, which also has a copy of this poster.

I got a reply from the archivist there this morning.

She wrote:

"Thank you for your request. Unfortunately the artist of the poster is not known. We are sorry to not be able to help you.
Best regards"

It's curious too, because the signature is rather boldly written on the lower right. But maybe they arent wanting to make a guess without being 100% certain? 

[ChristianM80]

The more I look at the signature it does look like Siegfried....

I cannot be 100% certain either given the way the signature is written and
the lack of any information to confirm this.

Even Ottomar Anton had little to no information written about him and he was
a prolific artist before, during and after the war. There was no known photo of
him either until a colleague of mine made contact with his grandson.

[jedgerley]

Here ya go. Hope this helps looks to be "Sigfrid" http://www.od43.com/Genuine_1941_SS_Police_Poster.html


And i just noticed. On the side of the pictures you posted it says grakfiker sigfrid r.

[jedgerley]

Nevermind my last post...lol. My reading comprehension is horrible it seems and missed Jeffs post above noting the "grafiker sigfrid r."

[ChristianM80]

I believe that it is definitely Siegfried.... The more I look at the signature it looks like just that,
as much as it is a barely legible signature.

That larger version you posted in the link I almost purchased a few years back, until I found
the smaller version that I have now. That is the only large size version I have seen and know
that it was initially sold for peanuts by an American dealer...Wish I had seen it first....not that
I have the wall space at the moment to accommodate it anyhow...

[ChristianM80]

Three new arrivals this week...

1. Dutch NSB (Dutch Nazi's) poster for an exhibition.



2. A very rare poster for a sports day for the SS and Police (big size) (Netherlands / Amsterdam).



3. A very nice Dutch SS poster. (big size).




I have another super rare SS poster on its way and possibly another that
the dealer is looking at acquiring for me... So hopefully some more stellar
pieces to share soon.

[erik1925]

Incredible finds, Christian.

And what is amazing, too, is that the sports poster and last Netherlands poster (the orange one) look as if they were never displayed or used! And the Dutch piece looks barely used either.

Congrats again, on adding to this very historical collection of yours.

[50s]

Very impressive, excellent condition and large pieces. Unusual, historical subject matter, Congratulations!

[Crazy Vick]

i dont know how you manage to keep scoring these Christian
You're fixer must be something of a legend
pm'ed you by the way!

[ChristianM80]

Incredible finds, Christian.

And what is amazing, too, is that the sports poster and last Netherlands poster (the orange one) look as if they were never displayed or used! And the Dutch piece looks barely used either.

Congrats again, on adding to this very historical collection of yours.

Thanks Jeff,

It was a case of buying one, then the guy found another and then another....  

The NSB poster has some repairs to it which you can see from the image. A section @ the bottom centre
where the word ARNHEM is has been replaced.

The other two are in better condition although still have some minor repairs and tape removal required
which can be done when I have them eventually linen backed.

Cheers....

Very impressive, excellent condition and large pieces. Unusual, historical subject matter, Congratulations!

Many thanks for the kind words....  

i dont know how you manage to keep scoring these Christian
You're fixer must be something of a legend
pm'ed you by the way!

I guess its down to patience, persistence and having a network of great contacts, both dealers and private
sellers alike.

These do not come cheap unfortunately, so it takes some sacrifices in my other collecting interests to help
fund these. The new one I have coming is up there with the most I have paid for a poster, but being so hard
to find I just couldn't pass it up.

Cheers....

[erik1925]

What I just realized, too, in looking at them again, is that the first poster (ARNHEM) is behind glass or plexi. What I thought was part of the cool design on the left side, is actually a reflection of the person (is that you, Christian), taking the pic.   

[ChristianM80]

What I just realized, too, in looking at them again, is that the first poster (ARNHEM) is behind glass or plexi. What I thought was part of the cool design on the left side, is actually a reflection of the person (is that you, Christian), taking the pic.   

Yes the colours are a lot more vibrant without it being behind Perspex / glass....

The picture was taken by the dealer whom I purchased it off, so no, its not me... 

[erik1925]

Yes the colours are a lot more vibrant without it being behind Perspex / glass....

The picture was taken by the dealer whom I purchased it off, so no, its not me... 

I can only imagine, as we are seeing some of the reflected sky there, too. Could you post a pic of it, once you get it? Would be great to see it, in all its vibrant glory.

[ChristianM80]

I can only imagine, as we are seeing some of the reflected sky there, too. Could you post a pic of it, once you get it? Would be great to see it, in all its vibrant glory.

I will have to take a photo of it next weekend when there is better light.

It is currently folded up until such time as I can have it linen backed.

Here is another of the same type although the exhibition was in the city of MEPPEL, not Arnhem.

[erik1925]

Fascinating and thanks for that other pic, Christian.

The red symbol behind the shovel and sword isnt something Ive ever seen before either. Is it a variation of the swastika image?

[ChristianM80]

Fascinating and thanks for that other pic, Christian.

The red symbol behind the shovel and sword isnt something Ive ever seen before either. Is it a variation of the swastika image?

The runic symbol behind the shovel and sword is called a Wolfsangel.

The Dutch NSB (Dutch Nazi's) had it as one of their symbols / motif's, although its use goes
back a lot further than that.

[erik1925]

Thanks again, Christian.

[ChristianM80]

A very rare poster this one.

One of three Italian SS Posters done by the well known artist / poster designer, Gino Boccasile.

I had the opportunity to purchase one of his other ones last year although another collector beat
me to it, I was not going to make the same mistake again.

This is another one I will look to eventually have linen backed.

[erik1925]

Another powerful image, Christian. Congrats on winning it this time around. 

[erik1925]

You also mentioned the artist. Is the poster signed somewhere?

[ChristianM80]

You also mentioned the artist. Is the poster signed somewhere?

Many thanks Jeff... Yes it was a hard one to find and I ended up paying a premium for
it, although now that I have it in hand I am just blown away by the quality and have no
regrets whatsoever.

The signature is very hard to see from my initial photo as it was taken with a flash and
the fold have added to the shaded areas...

I have highlighted a corner using photoshop that shows the artists sig - boccasile.

[eatbrie]

Fascinating.  I wasn't aware of an Italian Schutzstaffel.  I'm going have to read about this.  Cool poster.

T