Original Third Reich Hitler Election Propaganda Set 1933–1936

Description

Original Third Reich Hitler Election Propaganda Set

This original Hitler election propaganda set brings together four period German political objects dating from 1933 to 1936, the crucial years during which Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist regime dismantled Germany’s democratic institutions and consolidated dictatorial control.

The collection consists of an original printed Reichstag ballot paper, an original election propaganda pencil and two original political campaign badges. Although all four objects predate the formal outbreak of the Second World War, they are directly connected with the development of the Third Reich and the authoritarian political system that subsequently led Germany into WWII.

The group includes:

1. An original 1936 Reichstag ballot paper
2. An original “Deutschland wählt Hitler!” propaganda pencil
3. An original Hitler portrait political badge
4. An original “Ja – 12.11.1933” election and referendum badge

Together, these items form a coherent display illustrating how ballots, slogans, inexpensive badges and everyday objects were used as instruments of mass political propaganda.

1936 “Reichstag für Freiheit und Frieden” Ballot

The largest item is an original printed ballot bearing the heading:

“Reichstag für Freiheit und Frieden”

Below this appears the electoral district:

“Wahlkreis Oberbayern-Schwaben”

The ballot prominently identifies the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei and displays the name Adolf Hitler in large Gothic lettering. Beneath Hitler’s name appear several leading figures of the regime, including Hess, Frick, Göring, Goebbels, Wagner and Wahl.

The voting circle on the right contains a clearly visible pencilled cross.

This design corresponds to the Reichstag election held on 29 March 1936, which the regime presented under the propagandistic title “Reichstag for Freedom and Peace.” Only the National Socialist unified list was presented to the electorate, making the event a controlled political confirmation rather than a competitive democratic election.

The election followed the German military reoccupation of the Rhineland earlier that month. The regime used the vote to claim public approval for Hitler’s actions and foreign policy. This connection makes the ballot particularly relevant to collections devoted to the diplomatic and political developments that preceded the Second World War.

Original “Deutschland wählt Hitler!” Pencil

Also included is an original brown wooden propaganda pencil carrying the white inscription:

“Deutschland wählt Hitler!”

This translates as:

“Germany votes for Hitler!”

The slogan is accompanied by political symbols at both ends of the printed text. Pencils of this type were distributed or produced as promotional material during the 1933 election campaigns and are documented in groups retaining the same wording.

Unlike a poster or official document, the pencil demonstrates how political messaging was placed on ordinary functional objects. Such inexpensive items allowed slogans to remain constantly visible in homes, offices and public spaces.

The pencil has been sharpened and retains a strong brown finish with clearly visible white lettering.

Hitler Portrait Propaganda Badge

The first badge is a round, brass-coloured political tinnie featuring the left-facing profile of Adolf Hitler. The surrounding legend is of the:

“Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer”

type, translated as:

“One People, One Reich, One Leader.”

Museum collections identify this circular portrait design as a German political badge dating from approximately 1933 and potentially connected with the election campaigns of that year.

The badge represents the development of the personality cult surrounding Hitler. His portrait and name were repeatedly reproduced on campaign badges, postcards, household objects and political souvenirs, helping to present the party leader as the personification of the German state.

The visible surface displays age-related patina, oxidation, rubbing and darker areas around the portrait and lettering.

“Ja – 12.11.1933” Referendum Badge

The second badge bears the large Gothic word:

“Ja”

together with the date:

“12.11.1933”

The German word “Ja” means “Yes.”

The date refers to the Reichstag election and national referendum held on 12 November 1933. The referendum concerned Germany’s withdrawal from the League of Nations, while the Reichstag election presented voters with a single approved National Socialist list.

Badges carrying the date and the word “Ja” were intended to encourage public approval and demonstrate visible political conformity. The example included in this group has a brass-coloured surface and a small projecting tab at its upper edge.

The front shows scratches, marks and natural surface ageing consistent with a period political badge.

Propaganda and the Consolidation of the Third Reich

The objects in this collection document two important stages in the establishment of National Socialist dictatorship.

The pieces dated 1933 relate to the year in which Hitler became Chancellor and the Nazi regime rapidly eliminated political opposition and brought the Weimar Republic to an end. The 1936 ballot dates from a later stage, when the dictatorship was firmly established and controlled elections were used to provide an appearance of popular legitimacy. The end of the Weimar democratic system after Hitler’s appointment in 1933 is documented by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The language printed on these items repeatedly uses concepts such as unity, peace, freedom, national approval and loyalty. In practice, these messages formed part of a propaganda system operating within a dictatorship that had removed meaningful political competition.

For WWII collectors, the set provides important background material showing the political and ideological environment from which the later German war state developed.

Condition

The paper ballot displays general age toning, small marks, edge wear, light creasing and minor imperfections. The printed text remains dark and clearly legible. A pencil cross is visible inside the voting circle.

The wooden pencil retains its brown painted surface and clearly visible white propaganda inscription. It has been sharpened and shows minor handling and storage wear.

Both badges display patina, scratches, oxidation, colour variation and surface wear. Only the fronts are visible in the supplied photographs, and no statement is made concerning markings or complete fastening systems on the reverse.

All photographs should be examined carefully, as they form an essential part of the condition description.

Historical Collectors’ Item

This original group would be suitable for collections focused on:

• Third Reich political history
• German election propaganda
• Adolf Hitler memorabilia
• Pre-WWII German history
• The origins of the Second World War
• NSDAP political ephemera
• Historical ballots and election material
• Political badges and tinnies
• Original German documents
• Twentieth-century propaganda

The objects are offered exclusively as historical collectables for study, preservation and documentation. Their sale does not endorse or promote National Socialist ideology, racial policies, dictatorship or political persecution.