{"product_id":"1940-german-occupied-poland-red-cross-stamp-set-krakau-special-cancel-generalgouvernement","title":"1940 German-Occupied Poland Red Cross Stamp Set-Krakau Special Cancel-Generalgouvernement","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1940 German General Government Red Cross postal souvenir piece\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrakau (Kraków), occupied Poland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring the complete four-stamp charity set issued for the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerman Red Cross war relief effort\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front is printed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Deutsche Post Osten”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e and\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Kriegshilfswerk für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e meaning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“War Relief Work for the German Red Cross.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe featured stamp is tied by a large commemorative \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKRAKAU 17\/18.8.40\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cancellation incorporating the German eagle and swastika and the wording \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (“For the German Red Cross”).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse displays the complete four-stamp Red Cross issue from the General Government:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e12 + 8 Groschen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Jagiellonian University \/ Kraków courtyard scene\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e24 + 16 Groschen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Wawel Castle complex\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e50 + 50 Groschen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – Kraków Town Hall Tower\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e80 + 80 Groschen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – St. Mary’s Church, Kraków\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe set was officially issued on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAugust 17, 1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with the additional surcharge benefiting the Red Cross. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.germanstamps.net\/tr-occ-gg-stamps-1940-redcross\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eGerman Stamps\u003c\/a\u003e⁠)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the German invasion of Poland in 1939, occupied central and southern Polish territories were administered as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneralgouvernement (General Government)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Special postage stamps were produced for use within this German-controlled territory. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/collections.ushmm.org\/search\/catalog\/irn45787?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eUSHMM Collections\u003c\/a\u003e⁠)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Red Cross charity issue was released on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAugust 17, 1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and consists of four values, now cataloged as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichel Nos. 52–55\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.germanstamps.net\/tr-occ-gg-stamps-1940-redcross\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eGerman Stamps\u003c\/a\u003e⁠)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Krakau special cancellation dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17\/18 August 1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is especially appealing because it falls directly at the time of issue, giving the piece strong philatelic and WWII postal-history interest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good original condition for an approximately 85-year-old postal collectible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe card\/envelope shows light age toning, minor handling wear, and a small amount of surface discoloration. The stamps retain strong color and detail, and the prominent Krakau commemorative cancellation remains crisp and clearly visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse-mounted stamps appear clean and well preserved.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eOriginal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1940 WWII-era\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e postal collectible\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eGerman-occupied Poland \/ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneralgouvernement\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComplete four-value Red Cross charity stamp set\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eKrakau 17\/18.8.40\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e special cancellation\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerman eagle and swastika cancellation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz” inscription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Kriegshilfswerk für das Deutsche Rote Kreuz” printed cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong Kraków \/ occupied Poland historical connection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttractive WWII philatelic display piece\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSold strictly as an original historical and philatelic collectible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43462068830285,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/3B2440E3-E8EB-48E3-BCBC-C2387987EA13.jpg?v=1786552497","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/1940-german-occupied-poland-red-cross-stamp-set-krakau-special-cancel-generalgouvernement","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}