Original WWII-era German Portrait Photo Postcard-Identified “Michel”

Original period German black-and-white photographic postcard dating to approximately the 1930s–1940s. The photograph features a young German man posed for a formal portrait wearing a collared shirt, necktie, and heavy overcoat.

Of particular interest is the clearly visible numbered cloth insignia or patch displaying “28” on the upper sleeve. The exact organization represented by this insignia has not been positively identified. The subject is of an age consistent with German youth organizations of the Third Reich period, including the Hitler Youth, but there is not enough visible uniform detail to conclusively attribute him to the Hitler Youth. The numbered sleeve insignia may represent a youth, labor, political, institutional, or other organized group.

The reverse has period handwritten identification, with the first portion appearing to possibly read “Michel,” followed by additional difficult-to-decipher German handwriting. A separate handwritten collection or inventory number, “11303,” is also present. The postcard stock is printed “ERGO.”

An unusual and intriguing original photograph with considerably more character than a standard civilian portrait due to the numbered sleeve insignia and surviving handwritten identification. A worthwhile research piece for collectors of WWII German photography, Third Reich-era ephemera, German youth organizations, and European photographic history.

Original period photograph, not a modern reproduction. Shows light edge and corner wear, toning, minor spotting and handling consistent with age. Please see photographs for the exact condition and markings.