Rudolf Hess Autograph – Signed NSDAP Wochenspruch Poster, 1938

Description

Rudolf Hess Autograph on an Original 1938 Wochenspruch Poster

This Rudolf Hess autograph appears directly on an original 1938 Wochenspruch der NSDAP propaganda poster issued by the Gaupropagandaamt der NSDAP, Gau Essen. The poster is dated to the seventh week of 1938, specifically 14–20 February 1938, and carries a printed quotation attributed to Rudolf Hess. The lower-right area has subsequently been personally signed in ink and dated “1.7.38”, corresponding to 1 July 1938.

The combination is particularly interesting from a collecting point of view. Rather than being a detached autograph or signature clipped from an unrelated document, the signature appears on a period printed item that already names Hess and reproduces one of his political statements.

The exact February 1938 issue is documented in the German Propaganda Archive’s surviving sequence of Gau Essen Wochenspruch posters. Its archive records the Hess quotation for 14–20 February as “Loyalty of conviction means absolute obedience,” matching the German text visible on this example.

Historical Context

The Wochenspruch der NSDAP was a weekly propaganda format distributed in Nazi Germany. Issues were produced both by the central Reichspropagandaleitung and by regional Gau propaganda offices, using short quotations from political figures and other historical personalities for public display. The Gau Essen archive confirms a continuous series of such posters through 1937 and 1938, including this precise Rudolf Hess issue. Bundesarchiv holdings also document the Wochenspruch der NSDAP within the surviving records of the Nazi Party’s propaganda apparatus.

The printed text on this example reads:

“Treue in der Gesinnung bedeutet unbedingten Gehorsam.”

A natural English rendering is:

“Loyalty in conviction means unconditional obedience.”

The quotation is followed prominently by the printed name RUDOLF HESS in red.

At the bottom, the issuing information identifies the Gaupropagandaamt der NSDAP, Gau Essen, followed by “7. Woche vom 14.–20. Februar 1938.” This makes the place and period of publication particularly clear.

In 1938 Rudolf Hess held the position of Stellvertreter des Führers within the NSDAP. Contemporary German government records preserved by the Bundesarchiv use precisely this title for Hess during this period. He remained deputy party leader until his flight to Scotland in May 1941. After the war he was tried at Nuremberg, convicted of conspiracy and crimes against peace, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Signature and Poster

The handwritten signature is positioned at the lower right of the sheet and is accompanied by the handwritten date 1.7.38. The ink remains clearly visible against the buff-coloured paper.

This creates an interesting chronological distinction: the poster itself was distributed during the week of 14–20 February 1938, while the autograph was added on 1 July of the same year. The signature therefore appears to represent a later personal signing of an existing February propaganda sheet rather than part of its original printing.

A specialist dealer listing describing what appears to be this exact object records it as a 295 × 210 mm buff-coloured card/poster carrying an original Hess ink signature dated 1.7.38.

Visually, the design is characteristic of the early Wochenspruch format: predominantly black Gothic-style lettering combined with red decorative elements and the quoted person’s name highlighted separately. Similar Wochenspruch material survives in archives and specialist collections, although ordinary unsigned sheets generally occupy a considerably lower price category than signed historical examples. Current unsigned examples can still be encountered in the tens or low hundreds of euros depending on issue, graphics and condition.

Collector’s Interest

From a collector’s perspective, the principal attraction is the relationship between autograph and content.

A Rudolf Hess signature on an ordinary letter, photograph or detached piece of paper is primarily collected as an autograph. Here, however, the autograph has been added to a propaganda item that both names Hess and reproduces a quotation attributed to him.

That association gives the object several overlapping areas of interest:

• historical autographs;
• German political ephemera;
• pre-war Third Reich documents;
• propaganda history;
• Gau Essen material;
• Wochenspruch der NSDAP collecting.

It is also worth distinguishing the date carefully. This is 1938 material and therefore predates the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe. For SEO and cataloguing purposes, “Rudolf Hess autograph” and “1938 German propaganda” are consequently more accurate primary descriptions than simply treating the object as a WWII document.

Condition and Authenticity Note

Original period Wochenspruch der NSDAP sheet with an authentic handwritten Rudolf Hess signature, dated 1 July 1938.

The autograph is guaranteed authentic by the seller.

The sheet shows visible period ageing consistent with an item of this type and age, including general toning, light surface marks, handling wear and some staining/discolouration. The black and red printed elements remain clearly legible, and the handwritten signature and date remain readily visible.

The photographs should be considered an integral part of the condition description.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This object is offered strictly as an original historical collectible for documentary, educational and collecting purposes. Autographs & Militaria has no political or ideological affiliation with, or sympathy for, the NSDAP, the Nazi regime or the individuals and organisations represented by the item.

1. Is this an original Rudolf Hess autograph?
Yes. The poster carries an original handwritten Rudolf Hess signature in ink, dated 1 July 1938. Authenticity is guaranteed by the seller.

2. What is a Wochenspruch der NSDAP?
It was a weekly propaganda sheet intended for public display. Both the central propaganda organisation and individual Gau offices issued editions using political and historical quotations.

3. When was this Rudolf Hess poster produced?
The printed poster was issued by Gau Essen for the week of 14–20 February 1938. The autograph was added later, on 1 July 1938. The February issue and quotation are independently documented.

4. Why is this example more interesting than an ordinary Rudolf Hess signature?
Because Hess signed a period propaganda sheet already carrying his own name and printed quotation. The connection between autograph and printed content gives the piece a stronger historical association than a detached signature.

5. Is this a Second World War document?
Strictly speaking, no. It dates from 1938 and is therefore a pre-war German political propaganda item. It belongs to the broader field of Third Reich collecting but should be catalogued accurately as pre-war material.