I came across this fascinating article in the “Australian Stamp Monthly” (November 1, 1937). It talks of the arrest of stamp dealers in Germany, philatelic trade reorganisation, a ban on Danish welfare stamps and the National Philatelic Exhibition, held at the Zoological Gardens in Berlin.

There is also an interesting description of the eminent philatelist, Dr. Herbert Munk, who was forced to escape to Switzerland who is described euphemistically, as “non-Aryan”:

Suspension of Dr. Munk’s Great Work
Munk

There has been a deal of unusual activity in German stamp circles lately, and many reports and rumors have been current about some of the well-known dealers.

Some months ago it was stated in the newspapers that “Collectors of all kinds are to be organised into a body in Germany.”

Arrest of Dealers
Soon afterwards came news of troubles among the dealers, and a number of traders have been arrested for alleged offences in the nature of sending valuable philatelic properties out of the country.

Trade Reorganisation
There has been some reorganisation in the Internationale Postwertzeichen-Handler-Verband (I.P.H.V.) which, at its meeting on March 20, elected the well-known Brunswick dealer Walter Behrents as its new President.

“Trouble Stamps”
Another German news report states that: German stamp dealers and collectors have been warned not to purchase the three Danish “welfare stamps” for five, ten and fifteen ore, as it is declared that the proceeds from these stamps are devoted to anti-German aims.

The Danish stamps in question were the three “Dybbol Molle” stamps issued for the H. P. Hansen Memorial Fund. The scene on the stamp is reminiscent of the Prussian invasion of Schleswig, in the Dano-Prussian war and of the return of this fertile country to Denmark in 1920. Hence the “anti-German” aims!

“Kultural Purposes”
The German Hitler stamps are for no such wicked objects, the proceeds being devoted to “cultural purposes.”

Exhibitions
Meanwhile Berlin has just held its National Philatelic Exhibition in the Zoological Gardens, from April 16 to 18, where among other things the Reichspostmuseum and the Reichsdruckerel exhibited some historic original designs, essays and proofs.

The German trade is also strongly backing the “Daposta,” the I. Danziger Landpostwertzeichen-Anstelling, to be held in Danzig from June 6 to 8. On the newest airmail stamps of Danzig will be found the Nazi swastika emblem, a tiny token of things impending.

Postal History
The current trend towards collecting on postal historical lines is given an impetus in the latest special exhibition at the Berlin Postal Museum, which deals with Prussian covers and postmarks from 1816 to 1867.

Dr. Herbert Munk
The most important news from Germany for British and American readers concerns the treatment meted out to Dr. Herbert Munk, the brilliant philatelist who has been editing the eleventh edition of the Kohl Briefmarken-Handbuch, since its commencement in 1922.

The Great Handbook
It was indicated by Dr. Munk in a note prefacing the fifth volume, completed with Part 40, that his health was such that a suspension of his labors on the Handbook was unavoidable. Later, it developed that German racial problems were at the base of the troubles, and in December last plans were being considered for winding up the Verein der Freunde des Kohl-Briefmarkenhandbuchs of Berlin (Union of Friends of the K.B.H.) whose President is Dr. Franz Kalckhoff. This Society has provided much of the funds necessary to maintain the work.

Dr. Munk in Exile
Dr. Munk has long since left his native country and is settled in Switzerland. In some quarters it is openly stated that he is an exile, banished because he is a non-Aryan. That such a “disability” should deprive Germany and the entire philatelic world of his eminent services, and of the completion of his magnificent work, is deplorable, and we trust some means will be found to bring Dr. Munk in health, heart and spirit to the continuance of the Handbuch, either from Switzerland, Britain or the United States. Dr Munk is but sixty-one years of age, and, we trust, has many years of useful service before him.

Dr. Munk received the Lindenberg Medal in 1924, the highest philatelic honor German philately could give him, and Britain followed in 1932 by adding his name to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists at the Torquay Congress, although it was not until 1933 that he was able to attend the Brighton Congress and sign the Roll in person. – “The Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly.”