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1941 (17 Jul) Third Reich, Germany, Censored Prisoner Postcard from Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp to Godow (Upper Silesia), Censorship Postmark, More Details in Description

Germany / WWII Occupations (1939-1945)

 Two-sided prisoner postcard sent from the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp (17 Jul 1941) to Godow in Upper Silesia Poland

Sender was Rudolf Balzar, classified as a Schutzhäftling (Protective Custody Prisoner). This status allowed the Gestapo to arbitrarily detain political dissidents, ideologically "unreliable" individuals, or ethnic minorities indefinitely without a judicial trial.
He was registered under Häftlingsnummer No. 32897, housed in Block 43 at Sachsenhausen.

The red printed text on the left side outlines strict regulations enforced by the Lagerkommandant (Camp Commander):
Prisoners were strictly restricted to sending and receiving only two letters or postcards per month. Incoming letters could not exceed 4 pages with 15 lines each, written clearly and legibly. Enclosing money, photographs, or pictures was entirely forbidden.
Non-compliant, illegible, or unorganized mail was systematically refused or destroyed.

Before leaving the camp, the postcard had to pass through a meticulous vetting process:
The front features a prominent, circular ink postmark from the „Konzentrationslager Sachsenhausen Postprüfstelle“ (Mail Examination Office).
The hand-signed initials inside the stamp indicate that a camp censor read the message and cleared it for delivery.
Because of this censorship, the message on the back—where Rudolf writes he is "Gott sei Dank gesund" (Thank God healthy)—was a forced, standardized phrasing. Any mention of the brutal reality, starvation, or disease meant immediate destruction of the card and severe physical punishment.

 

Provenance: Ex Werbizky.

Condition: Used.
Postcard Censorship, Censor Postal History
Current Bid:
$20
5 bids
Your maximum bid:
$25
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Auction Information
Rare Stamps and Postal History of The World
Auction 58
October 12 - 26, 2026
United States United States , Black Mountain , NC

A major auction showcasing exceptional rarities and distinguished collections. 9,570 lots of valuable stamps and postal history from around the world — a record-breaking auction and the largest sale in our history.

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Lots 1 - 731
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Lots 732 - 1397
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Lots 1398 - 2051
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Lots 2052 - 2672
German States
Lots 2673 - 2930
Germany 1871–1945
Lots 2931 - 3307
Germany: Colonies, Offices Abroad, Plebiscite Areas & Territories
Lots 3308 - 3750
Germany: WWII Occupations
Lots 3751 - 3966
Concentration Camps & Forced Labor Camp Posts
Lots 3967 - 4163
Germany after 1945: Local Posts & Occupation Zones
Lots 4164 - 4634
Third Reich, Italy & Olympic Games Propaganda
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Russian Civil War: South Russia
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Russian Empire, Wenden, Zemstvo, Cinderellas
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