Germany, Third Reich. An Extensive Document Group To Reich Postal Ministry Principal

A collection of documents concerning the Winter Olympic Games of 1936, including an official invitation (210x146mm, near mint) from the organisation committee, dated to January 1936, in envelope (217x153mm, near extremely fine); an invitation (230x170mm, near extremely fine) on account of the Games from the Reich Minister of Propaganda and the Bavarian Prime Minister to a reception and dinner in the German Museum in Munich on February 10, 1936, in envelope (240x179mm, near extremely fine), dated to January 27, 1936; a program for the aforementioned function (161x245mm, near extremely fine), in envelope (256x170mm, extremely fine), dated to February 2, 1936; two attendee’s cards for the aforementioned function (210x150mm, near mint), one for Schuster, one for his wife; a seating arrangements booklet for the aforementioned function (32 p., 139x190mm, near extremely fine), listing the names of all German and foreign politicians and military officers in attendance, including SS Obergruppenführer Dietrich, Minister Goebbels, SS Obergruppenführer Heydrich, Reichsführer SS Himmler, film maker Leni Riefenstahl, and Reich Youth Leader von Schirach; a menu for the aforementioned function (132x230mm, near mint); an Olympic Games program (102x219mm, better than very fine), a large map of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and surroundings (591x414mm, extremely fine), and a dedication card from the Reich Postal Administration Munich (149x104mm, near mint), in envelope (228x162mm, extremely fine).

A collection of documents concerning a reception on occasion of the visit of Benito Mussolini in Munich on September 25, 1937, including an invitation by the Führer (196x130mm, extremely fine); an invitation to brunch (196x129mm, extremely fine) by mayor of Munich Karl Fiehler; clothing/uniform regulations (198x129mm, extremely fine) for the event; a seating arrangements booklet (14 p., 137x188mm, extremely fine), including the names of SS Gruppenführer Eicke, SS Brigadeführer Hausser, and SS Obergruppenführer Heydrich; a program (187x249mm, better than very fine); an identification card (195x129mm, extremely fine).

Four large illustrated telegram folders (210x296mm, extremely fine), two sent on occasion of Schuster’s 50th birthday in 1936, bearing congratulations from the mayor of Munich, Karl Fiehler, and Gau Department Leader Beer; one dated to 1939, also with birthday wishes, sent by Fachschaft (student association) 2 Helmschrott; and one unused, issued on occasion of the Olympic Games of Berlin in 1936.

A congratulatory letter from the Gau Department Leader of Gau München-Oberbayern (208x297mm, near extremely fine) on occasion of Schuster being appointed Assistant Head of the Reich Postal Ministry. The letter is dated to December 27, 1939 and signed by proxy by Gau Central Office Leader Klessing. Handwritten notes dated to January 19, 1940, however they are indecipherable.

A collection of documents concerning a presentation by Reich Bank President Dr. Hjalmar Schacht, including an invitation to an event of the University of Munich (4 p., 152x242mm, extremely fine) on December 6 and 7, 1935, including the presentation of Schacht; an invitation to brunch (161x200mm) from Carl Friedrich von Siemens on occasion of Schacht’s visit; seating arrangements for said brunch (248x184mm, very fine).

A grouping of miscellaneous invitations to Schuster, including an invitation by the Reich War Minister to the state funeral of General Erich Ludendorff on December 22, 1937 (173x109mm, extremely fine); an invitation by the mayor of Stuttgart on occasion of a visit of Reich Postal Minister Ohnesorge on May 26, 1939 (4 p., 210x147mm, extremely fine); an invitation to the inauguration of the Ludwig Bridge on November 3, 1935 by the mayor of Munich (171x215mm, extremely fine); an invitation to an Oktoberfest evening from Gau Leader and State Minister Adolf Wagner (194x129mm, extremely fine).

A grouping of miscellaneous reception programs and/or menus, including one for the Reich Theater Week, dated to May 11, 1936 (4 p., 141x193mm, extremely fine); one for the opera “Don Giovanni” on occasion of a visit by the Italian Foreign Minister (4 p., 169x248mm, extremely fine); one on occasion of a reception for the visit of members of the opera house of Milan, “La Scala” on June 14, 1937 (4 p., 155x211mm, extremely fine); one in Italian, dated to Venice on June 28, 1937, for the inauguration of the great tourism line from Monaco to Bolzano to Venice (4 p., 121x171mm, extremely fine); one for a reception in honour of the “German Roads Delegation 1937”, dated to September 30, 1937 (4 p., 141x190mm, extremely fine); one for an evening of reception of the city of Munich and the German Museum, dated to May 6, 1938 (4 p., 166x215mm, extremely fine); a menu for an unnamed reception in Berlin on August 26, 1938 to Schuster’s wife (4 p., 95x145mm, extremely fine); one for the first annual conference of the national socialist German docent’s league in Munich from June 8 to 10, 1939 (12 p., 189x227mm, near extremely fine).

Two certificates from the German Shooting Association (242x168mm, extremely fine and near extremely fine), stating that Schuster of the Postal Sports Club Munich won the small decoration in gold on October 17, 1937, and the small decoration in silver on July 28, 1937, both awarded on January 18, 1938.

A letter to Postal Secretary Albert Küfner (209x296mm, extremely fine), presumably from Schuster, dated to Munich on May 18, 1935. Schuster thanks Küfner for a “funny paper cutting” and hopes to visit his new home soon.

Footnote: Very little is known about the life of Dr. iur. (Doctor of Law) Ludwig Schuster. He was born in October of 1886, and passed his state examination in 1915. In 1920, Schuster joined the postal service. On November 1 of the same year, he was made a councillor (Rat). In 1932, Schuster became Chief of Department (Amtsvorsteher), on December 1, 1933 Senior Postal Director (Oberpostdirektor) in Nuremberg, and in early 1935 in the Reich Postal Ministry, Department IV, human resources. Schuster went on to become President of the Reich Postal Administration (Reichspostdirektion) in Munich later that same year. In late 1938, he was made an SA Sturmführer (Lieutenant equivalent). The next step in his career in the postal service came on August 1, 1939 when Schuster became the Assistant Head of the Reich Postal Ministry (Ministerialrat im Reichspostministerium). Between June 1942 and 1945, he was the Principal (Ministerialdirektor) of the Ministry.