Accension Number: 2022.02.8.7

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The title of this postcard is “Der Weg ist frei – Die Saar kehrt Heim” and translates to “The Way is Free – the Saar Returns Home”. This is in relation to the Saar plebiscite of 1935, in which the League of Nations conducted a referendum on territoiral status of the Saar Basin and over 90% of voters opted for reunification with Germany. The Saarland is a region of Germany that was placed under the League of Nations administration after World War I for fifteen year as compensation for the destruction by Germany of coal mines in the north of France, as well as part of reparations Germany was to pay for the war, France gained control of the Saarland’s coal mines for this period of time. The administration of this territory was entrusted to one native German inhabitat of the Saar, one representative of France, and three repsentatives of countries other than France and Germany. It was at the end of fifteen years that a plbiscite was to be held to determine the final status of the Saarland, and the vote took place January 13, 1935. The Saar was reintegrated into Germany on March 1 of that year. The Nazis were influential components that heavily campaigned for the Saarland’s return to the German empire. They utilized propaganda simialr to this postcard to appeal to German nationalism and illustrate the return as a triumphant event.  

There is calligraphic text in the center of the postcard surrounding by illustrations. These illustrations depict scenes related to German identity and the hardships faced by Germans, including the images of soldiers, refugees, and possibily scenes from the Saar region and Siberia, as indicated by labels like “SIBIRIEN” (Siberia) and “DI SAAR” (The Saar). The calligraphic text itself roughly reads and is translated as follows: 

• “Das, mein Führer, sind die von der Saar / Ihre Sehnsucht ist Deutschland / Ihr Glaube ist Deutschland / Ihre Treue ist Deutschland / Adolf Hitler Sei Du ihr Schirmherr / Denn Du bist ja Deutschland / Unser Deutschland!” : That, my Leader, are the people of the Saar / Their longing is Germany / Their faith is Germany / Their loyalty is Germany / Adolf Hitler be their protector / For you are Germany / Our Germany! 

More details of the postcard are revealed on the other side. It is considered a Befreiungs-Postkarte (Liberation Postcard) due to the events of the Saar region occuring during time of this issuing. It was issued “zu Gunsten des Saar-Hilfswerks” (for the benefit of the Saar Relief Organization) and “zu Ehren der Heimkehrenden” (in honor of those returning home), referring to the reintegration of the Saarland into Germany. 

It features a quote titiled “Des Führers Dank” (The Leader’s Thanks). The calligraphic writing can be roughly identified and translated as such: 

•  “So Spreche ich Euch denn als des Deutschen Volkes Führer und des Reiches Kanzler im Namen aller Deutschland, deren Sprecher ich in diesem Augenblicke bin, den Dank der Nation aus und versichere Such des Glückes, das uns in dieser Stunde bewegt, da Ihr nun wieder bei uns sein werdet als Söhne unseres Volkes und Bürger des neuen Deutschen Reiches” : So I express to you, as the Leader of the German People and Chancellor of the Reich, in the name of all Germany, whose spokesman I am at this moment, the gratitude of the nation and assure you the happiness that moves us in this hour, since you will now be with us again as sons of our people and citizens of the new German Reich.  

More text credits to production and design of the postcard to “Hesit & Uger, Hamburg-Saar” and the printing by “Handeldruckerei u. J. Mathmann GmbH.,” also in Hamburg.