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GHETTO STAMPS

An exceptional undertaking associated with the ghetto post office was the idea to issue a postage stamp.

The first attempt was made in January 1942, when Rumkowski announced a competition to design a stamp with text in German and Jewish, as well as for ghetto decorations. The deadline for the competition was set for February 15, 1942, and prizes were set for the three best works: 100, 60 and 40 marks. The stamps were to have denominations of 5 and 10 fenigs each.

Announcement
(Żydowski Instytut Historyczny)

ANNOUNCMENT

Concerning:
I. Projects for stamps for internal ghetto use, as well as II. Designs for decorations for meritorious work

Re. I. I intend to introduce for internal use postage stamps
of the value of 5 and 10 fen
I need for this purpose suitable designs with German and Jewish text, from which I will select the best. As remuneration, 3 bonuses have been set, namely:
For the best project that will be accepted Mk 100.- For the second best project Mk. 60.- For the third best Mk. 40.-

Re. II. In addition, I intend to introduce
3 awards / 3 classes /.
In recognition of merit for work in the ghetto, and I require projects with German and Jewish text that can be implemented in hard material. I propose 3 awards as prizes, namely:
For the best prize projects that have been approved Mk 100. For the second best project '' 60.- For the third best project '' 40.

These projects should be submitted in sealed envelopes by February 15, 1942 to my Central Secretariat at Bałucki Rynek, to Miss Daum. The sender (name and address) can only be mentioned on the back of the envelopes, not on the projects.

Litzmanstadt/Getto On January 30, 1942

Ch. Rumkowski
The Eldest of the Jews
In Litzmannstadt

At least 9 stamp designs were developed. Among the authors appear Moses Gurewicz, Kowaniec, Sonnenfeld, Rubichek, Natansohn, Lurie. Unfortunately, it is not possible to assign names to individual projects. Painter Israel Lejzerowicz also tackled the idea for the stamp.

Most of the designs contain symbols characteristic of the ghetto, i.e. Rumkowski's face, the Star of David, labor tools and the inscriptions Litzmannstadt-Getto and Postabteilung des Aeltesten der Juden in German and Yiddish. One author used the motif of a wagon loaded with sacks of flour, pulled by workers. A similar, unfinished design is found in a folder of drawings by Israel Lejzerowicz. They do not appear to have been made by the same person.

The twin designs (for 5 and 10 fenigs) bear the inscription in German and Yiddish, “Our work - our hope,” with the motif of the sun rising in a star. The symbol of the rising sun as a promise of a better future, appeared in the ghetto, especially among youth groups.

Of note is a five-figure design with the figure of a letter carrier and a mailbox with the inscription Judenpost (Jewish Post Office). It may have been the inspiration for designs developed in 1944.

Research on the stamp designs is hampered by the scattering of material. The originals of four are in the holdings of the State Archive in Lodz, while the others are in the Archives of the Jewish Historical Institute and the Ghetto Fighters Archive. The image of one design is known only from a postwar publication. Some of the designs appear as black-and-white photographs, most likely taken while still in the ghetto.

The idea of issuing a stamp in 1942 did not live to see fruition, having been aborted probably because of the deportation action.