Souvenir program for film Victory of the Faith
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 11.500 inches (29.21 cm) | Width: 8.750 inches (22.225 cm)
Creator(s)
- Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei (Producer)
- Mjölnir (Designer)
Biographical History
Hans Schweitzer (1901-1980) was born in Berlin, and joined the Nazi party in 1926. As a member of the party, Schweitzer created cartoons, caricatures, and political posters under the penname, Mjölnir. He worked for several Nazi newspapers, including the Völkischer Beobachter (The People’s Observer) and a paper published by early Nazi leaders Gregor and Otto Strasser. With his artistic talents, Schweitzer advanced through the party. He was appointed as an honorary member of the SS and became friends with Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. Later, Schweitzer illustrated several books for Goebbels, including Die Verfluchten Hakenkreuzen, published in 1930. Throughout the 1930s, Schweitzer created images for Nazi antisemitic, political, and election posters. He was also a cartoonist for the paper Der Angriff (The Attack), publish by Goebbels, and illustrated the book, Kampf um Berlin (Fight for Berlin). In 1935, he was appointed as Representative for Artistic Design and worked in conjunction with the Ministry of Propaganda for the creation of exhibitions, erection of monuments, and the development of insignia and national symbols. Later, he worked with a commission to decide how to utilize artwork stolen from Nazi victims. Schweitzer was arrested by American authorities in 1947 and fined 500 deutsche marks for his actions during the Holocaust. In 1955, he had his Nazi record expunged and was able to work as an illustrator and teacher.
Archival History
The souvenir program was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2010 by Seth Goldberg.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Seth Goldberg
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Eight page illustrated souvenir program for the Nazi propaganda film, Der Sieg des Glaubens [Victory of the Faith], a documentary film of the Fifth Party Congress of the Nazi Party, directed by Leni Riefenstahl. Held in September 1933, it as known as the Rally of Victory, and was the first Rally held after Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. It was also the first rally filmed by Riefenstahl, whose film of the next rally, Triumph of the Will, was a visually stunning, propaganda masterwork glorifying Hitler and the Nazi Party. The booklet features images of Hitler and other Nazi Party leaders, including Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Goering, and Ernst Rohm. SA chief Rohm was killed the next year in the purge known as the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler ordered this film destroyed.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Sepia toned illustrated 8 page program on subdued glossy paper made from 2 sheets of paper folded in half. The cover image has an illustration of a man, in partial left profile, looking ahead with an intense stare. His head is superimposed over the body of a large eagle with wings open in flight. The designer's name, Mjolnir, is printed in small font on the man's shoulder. The other pages have photographic collages featuring Adolf Hitler, Nazi Party leaders, and scenes of the rally in Nuremberg Stadium, and some text captions. [Conservation/preservation required]
People
- Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945--Pictorial works.
Corporate Bodies
- Nazi Party
Subjects
- Propaganda, German.
- Germany--Politics and government--1933-1945.
- Nazi propaganda.
- National socialism and motion pictures.
- Germany--History--1933-1945--Pictorial works--Periodicals.
- Advertising--Motion pictures--History--Pictorial works.
Genre
- Object
- Information Forms