Posted 14 years ago
Driewer
(31 items)
A Nice WWII German hitler youth propaganda button, picked it up couple years ago for $5. Thought it was a cool piece.
Anyone know anything about these?
WWII Hitler youth propaganda button | ||
| Buttonista's likes20 of 26 |  |  |
Wow, these have to be rare, especially in the US. I know it is illegal in Germany to display the Swastika, does anybody know if it's illegal to sell them there as well?
Yeah, Its a pretty cool find, I have other items I should upload also. I live in MN, Hard to find Nazi thing's here. I collect Militaria, or just getting started I should say :)
I live in MN too, where at?
Up in Baxter MN, I see you have some military items as well!
Yes I do, from my father and grandfather. I'm in Lakeville.
I used to pass that castle/water tower every time on the way to my grandparents cabin in Bowstring.
Cool! Yes, that water tower is in Brainerd, several miles from me.
wow 5 bucks what a steal
What does the back look like? I have never seen this as a button, only as a badge. I think this is a May(Mai) Day Badge.
In Germany, May Day (erster Mai, May 1st) is a national holiday and an important day, partly because of Blutmai ("bloody May") in 1929. That year in Berlin the ruling Social Democratic (SPD) party had banned the traditional workers' demonstrations. But the KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands) called for demonstrations anyway. The resulting bloodbath left 32 people dead and at least 80 seriously injured. It also left a big split between the two workers' parties (KPD and SPD), which the Nazis soon used to their advantage. The National Socialists named the holiday Tag der Arbeit ("Day of Labor"), the name still used in Germany today.
May 1st is also an ancient spring festival time for many European countries. I hope this helps with the identification but I still wish I could see the back. Thanks!
This is a common "tinnie" actually made of potash. Potash badges tend to be very common in the commonly found crudy condition. however to find one in nice uncorroded condition is hard and I would consider the ones in nice condition to be scarce. Most venders try to charge way too much for the low grade ones. As to legality, nazi items are not illegal in Germany if they are sold, collected or displayed as historical artifacts. It is illegal to espouse or glorify nazi-ism or the cause in any form. Modern neo-nazi stuff and propaganda is a sure way to go to jail long term. I have been to Germany several times and have purchased genuine nazi items openly in collector type stores every time. Germans are not comfortable with the items and one usually must ask to see them before they come out. I have even had inlaws very nervously show me grandpa's medals and papers. I explained the meanngs of the items and reassured them that the items are not illegal to own as such. Ebay rules and statements do not reflect reality.
When I was stationed in Germany (many years ago), I used to browse a couple second hand/junk stores there. Anything with a swastika was kept out of sight, and only brought out once the store owner learned I collected military items. I picked up some WWII medals and a Nazi couple daggers that way. I don't know if it was actually illegal to steal the items, or if the store just couldn't display them.
Thanks militarist - I was typing my post as you were posting yours so I didn't see it. Thanks for the explanation.
Ach...the word "steal" in my previous post should have been "sell" - Hey, it was a long night and I'm still in my bathrobe here
I don't know if my mind made an unconscious link between the words “illegal” and “steal,” or if it was an unconscious response to the recollection of the slightly shady feeling of buying something that the seller had to keep hidden. Funny the way the mind works, especially when one is still half asleep.
It is illegal in Germany to sell or prominently display items with a swastika. They're usually confiscated by the police.
Buttonista, please check out any German coin or militaria auction catalog and look at all the coins, military medals etc with swastikas being sold legally. Many are also photo illustrated though some of the more cautious dealers cover the swastikas with a small dot. The key is not to espouse nazi ideology and to make sure the items are historic items and not the modern neo-nazi or skinhead junk. It can get tricky if one is falsely accused in which case the accused must prove their innocence. That is why many still cover the swastikas and include disclaimer statements in their catalogs.
Yes that would be an online catalog that isn't publicly displayed and you apparently live in Wisconsin...the question was, "Is it illegal to sell items bearing a Swastika in Germany". It is illegal to publicly display a swastika and sell items bearing a swastika INSIDE Germany! (except for historical displays, reenactments and museums)
No the catalogs I refer to are hard copy. I also bought swastika bearing items in German stores. the items were not in open view display cases but when I asked if there were any for sale they appeared. Neither the dealers or I ended up in jail. I can not say anything more. Believe as you wish.
Correction please change "I can not say anything more." to: What more can I say.