German Souvenier Badge – Sonthofen, Bavarian Alps

Description

German Souvenier ‘Tinnie’ Badge dated 1935.  Made from pressed metal, the photo has been enhanced so you can see the detail.  KdF was the Kraft durch Freude, or (National Socialist) Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude (Organisation).  Their motto was strength through joy.  Formed by the NSDAP Party in 1933 as part of the DAF or German Workers Front, they provided leisure activites for the working class.  These included cruises, week long holidays, day trips and tickets to sporting events, concerts & theatre shows.  Through its structure of organised events and promotion of propaganda, it intended to prevent dissident and anti state behaviour.  By 1939 KdF had become the world’s largest tourism operator.  This souvenier badge is from the town of Sonthofen in the Bavarian Alps.  It measures approximately 3cm wide x 5cm in length.  It’s patina is a little darker to the eye.

During the 1930’s & 1940’s in Germany many charity badges were sold for a few pfennigs to raise funds for those in need & later to support the war effort.  These charity badges are little pieces of social history & remarkable survivors in this condition.  Many were produced in series of six to twelve, to encourage German citizens to collect them all.  A different series was released every week.  Some were Nationwide, like this one, others were regional.