*Original, German, WWII - c1933, "Deutschland erwacht" NSDAP Cigarette Card Album with All Cards, Slip Cover & Foldout Picture, Heinrich Hoffmann*
An original 1933 German Deutschland erwacht ("Germany Awakens") cigarette card album documenting the early rise, struggle and political victory of the NSDAP. Published by Cigaretten-Bilderdienst in Altona-Bahrenfeld, this large-format hardback album formed part of Germany's hugely popular cigarette picture collecting series and was intended as a highly visual propaganda work celebrating the National Socialist movement.
This example retains its original brown cloth boards with gilt title and profile portrait to the front cover and still retains the scarce illustrated dust wrapper depicting marching formations carrying Deutschland Erwache standards. The title page confirms the 301.–400. Tausend production range, placing it among the earlier printings of 1933. The work was produced using photographs selected and artistically arranged by Heinrich Hoffmann, Adolf Hitler's personal photographer, with text by Wilfrid Bade.
The album traces the origins and rise of the NSDAP through early party activity, Munich events, political campaigning, rallies and consolidation of power. Importantly, this example appears complete with all cigarette cards present and mounted, an increasingly difficult feature to find in surviving examples. Also retained is the substantial rear panoramic fold-out titled "Standartenweihe im Luitpoldhain 1933", depicting the standard consecration ceremony at the Nuremberg rally grounds. This six-panel fold-out remains present and intact and is one of the most desirable elements of the album.
Approx. Measurements – Height: 31.5 cm. Width: 24.5 cm.
History Note:
During the early Third Reich period, cigarette card albums became one of the principal tools of visual mass propaganda. Cigarette packets included collectible picture cards which purchasers pasted into officially issued albums. Deutschland erwacht was among the earliest and most politically significant examples, presenting a carefully constructed narrative of struggle, sacrifice and national revival. While controversial in subject matter, surviving albums remain important historical artefacts illustrating propaganda methods and visual culture in Germany during 1933.
*Condition*
Illustrated dust jacket heavily worn and tattered with losses and tears. Back hinge weakened and partially separated with visible structural binding strip at the inner gutter. Original cloth boards remain sound. Album appears complete with all cigarette cards present and mounted. Rear six-panel panoramic fold-out remains intact and has period reinforcement tape to reverse. Corner staining, foxing and age-related wear throughout. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQ
