RARE PROPAGANDA POSTER FROM THE 19 AUGUST 1934 REFERENDUM TO GIVE HITLER PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

Wir Deutschen in der Mitte Europas gelegen, müssen mehr zusammenhalten als andere Nationen. [We Germans, situated in the heart of Europe, must stand together more than other nations.] 

Printed poster

Frankfurt (Oder), Germany

Trowitzsch & Son

[1934]

Approx. 33 7/8 x 45 3/4 in. 

A propaganda poster from the earliest period of the Third Reich encouraging German citizens to vote in the referendum merging the posts of Chancellor and President. Held on 19 August 1934, just seventeen days after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, the referendum acted to legitimize Hitler's consolidation of power as the de facto head of state. In actuality, Adolf Hitler had already assumed presidential powers, adding to his own authority as Chancellor, immediately after Hindenburg's death. 

Using only text as a design element, featuring a quote from Otto von Bismarck, the poster reads in full (in translation): "We Germans, situated in the heart of Europe, must stand together more than other nations. We must be united if we are not to be lost. We have no natural protection and must stand shoulder to shoulder, lest all the sacrifices of the past be in vain for us. / The Führer has made this prophetic word of Bismarck a reality. / To him we pledge our loyalty and our allegiance. / An entire nation says "Yes" on August 19th!"

VERY RARE. We located a variant of the poster on colored paper; however, no other exact copies. 

[Nazi Germany, Nazi Art, Propaganda, Posters, Ephemera]