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RARE THIRD REICH 'THE ARMED FORCES' COLOR CARD ALBUM

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This is an unusual Third Reich transitional color cigarette card album published by Waldorf-Astoria and Eckstein-Halpaus called Die Reichswehr which translates as “The Armed Forces”. Dating to 1933 it showed ordinary citizens that the German Armed Forces were alive and well in spite of the limitations imposed on it by the Treaties of Versailles and St. Germain at the end of World War I. The concept fit in perfectly with the strength of the Nazi Party and the appointment of its Führer Adolf Hitler, as Germany’s 23rd Chancellor.

The 11-3/4 x 12 inch, 34 page German-language album contains 280 color collector cards (acquired by buying certain brands of cigarettes) depicting various branches of the German army and German navy and carefully showing their uniforms, weapons and equipment in use.

The 90 year old early Third Reich German language book is complete with all its color pictures and the content is in very good used condition. The 4-¼ inch embossed gold eagle emblem on the front cover is in very nice condition (not flaked or scratched off) but the spine and edges show shelf wear. The shiny silver back cover has damage along the top near the spine. The oversize book has no odor.