Poster stamp with a printed appeal to not buy Nazi goods
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) | Width: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm)
Creator(s)
- Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (Issuer)
Archival History
The stamp was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2017 by Gregg Philipson.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum collection, gift of Gregg and Michelle Philipson
Scope and Content
Poster stamp encouraging the boycott of German products, issued by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States (JWV) in May 1933. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg. The Nazi’s increasing targeting of Jews led the small, but militant JWV to hold a parade in New York City and launch the first boycott of German goods in the United States on March 23. Other organizations, including the American Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee, soon followed with large protest rallies. In reaction to the negative international press on April 1, the German Nazis instigated a one-day nationwide boycott of Jewish businesses and professionals. Soon after, anti-Jewish decrees were passed that restricted every aspect of Jewish life in Germany. On April 10, 1933, the JWV opened a boycott office in New York City, where they printed placards, seals, and letters. The JWV began their stamp campaign on May 21, issuing several million stamps, and estimating that they would continue to send out 10,000,000 a week. Due to their resemblance to postage stamps, the U.S. Post Office banned their use on the exterior of mail. Consequently, the JWV encouraged their use on correspondence instead. The boycott movement in America never gained a popular following, and the U.S. Department of State opposed it entirely. By 1941, American enthusiasm for the boycott movement had waned, and the widespread efforts by the larger organizations ceased in October, shortly before the United States entered the war.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular stamp on off-white paper with perforated edges and a central design printed in light blue ink. Around the outer edge is a beaded border. Inside the frame, large English text is printed across the top and bottom. In the center is an organizational logo, depicting a spread eagle with a starburst emanating from it overlaid on a circle, layered over a 6-pointed Star of David, which is layered over a wreath. Flanking the logo are two flaming torches.
Corporate Bodies
- Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Inc. Anti-Nazi Boycott Committee
- Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Subjects
- Anti-German boycotts--United States.
- Boycotts--United States.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Foreign public opinion, American.
- Demonstrations--United States.
- United States.
- Anti-Nazi movement.
Genre
- Stamps.
- Posters
- Object