A 1943 Thank You Card From State Secretary Of Tourism, Hermann Esser

A card giving thanks for a “courtesy”, measuring 191x132mm, extremely fine condition with age spots and two punched holes. It is signed by State Secretary of Tourism, Hermann Esser, and dated to Thankirchen (district of Dietramszell, southern Bavaria) on August 4, 1943. The courtesy is most likely Esser having been congratulated, since it was his birthday a week earlier.

Footnote: Hermann Esser (1900–1981) joined the DAP (German Labour Party) in 1919, which shortly afterwards was renamed NSDAP (National Socialist German Labour Party). Since he only made his membership official in January of 1920, his membership number was 881. In 1920, Esser met Hitler and became the editor of the Völkische Beobachter, the Nazi Party newspaper. After the NSDAP was forbidden, and then re-established in 1925, Esser, having gained significant influence, was given membership no. 2. However, he eventually fell out of favour with Hitler, due mostly to public scandals. He was put in minor positions with little influence. From 1939 to 1945 he was the State Secretary of Tourism.