Date of use : 1939 Germany

German Guild Insurance Card with 1938 Social Contributions

This card refers to the health insurance institution of the Guild of Photographers, Jewelers, and Watchmakers in Berlin. The card was used as a payment document in connection with health insurance premiums or other related transactions. In the recipient section, the name "Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner" is written, indicating a business involved in photo copying services. Additionally, the card features a logo with a double eagle symbol and the inscription "Ein Volk hilft sich selbst" ("A nation helps itself"), which alludes to one of the social or economic solidarity movements of the time. Specifically, it may be connected to the "Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes" ("Winter Relief of the German People"), a social aid program implemented in Germany during the 1930s to provide basic necessities for those in need. At the bottom of the card, there is a Postal Check Account Number (147401) along with the note: "Bei Postüberweisung bitte die Hebelistennummer anzugeben" ("When making a postal transfer, please specify the list number").

On the back of the card, the date "Dez. 1938" (December 1938) is displayed at the top, indicating that the document pertains to accounts or notifications for December 1938. The postal stamp on the back shows the date "26.01.1939," signifying when the document was processed. The document details contributions for health insurance (Krankenversicherung) and unemployment insurance (Arbeitsversicherung).

Payments are expressed in "Reichsmark" and "Rpf" (Reichspfennig), the official currency of Germany during that era. At the bottom, the phrase "Zahlbar bis 24 Jan." ("Payable by 24 January") specifies the payment deadline. Analyzing the calculation details on the card, the following information is provided: Lohnstufe (Wage Level): 31, representing the worker's wage classification. The system required higher-paid workers to contribute more. Tage (Number of Days): 31, indicating the number of days the worker was insured, corresponding to a full month for December 1938. Contribution Categories: Krankenversicherung (Health Insurance): 3.02 Reichsmark. Arbeitsversicherung (Unemployment Insurance): 6.05 Reichsmark. It is notable that the unemployment insurance contribution is higher than the health insurance contribution. Gesamtbetrag (Total Amount): The total contribution is calculated as 9.12 Reichsmark.

On the left side of the document, the following note is written: "Bitte bei Einsendung an das Postscheckamt hier trennen nach hinten umschlagen" ("Please detach this section and fold it back when sending to the Postal Check Office"). This indicates that the document was formatted for postal submission. The stamp on the card reads "BERLIN 26.1.39." This date is shortly after the payment deadline of 24 January, suggesting that the payment was completed and the document served as a receipt. Below the stamp, the notation "I Sch A" likely refers to a postal or tax office branch in Berlin. The card also contains handwritten notes in blue ink ("Beiträge für Dez. 1938"), likely added by the employee or insurer recording the payment.

Blue ink was commonly used for official documents at the time. The term "Lastschriftzettel" (Debit Note) is written in red, clearly designating this document as a receipt for payments. The "Name des Versicherten" ("Name of the Insured") section appears to list a name that is not fully legible but might be interpreted as "Mayern" or "Mayenn." This document provides a valuable glimpse into the economic, social, and political landscape of Germany during that era. Specifically, it offers concrete evidence of how health and unemployment insurance systems functioned for the working class.

Key Notes: The document details contributions to health and unemployment insurance. Under the regime of the time, these insurance systems were funded by contributions from both workers and employers: Krankenversicherung (Health Insurance): Provided for the basic healthcare needs of insured individuals but excluded groups deemed "undesirable" by the regime, such as Jews and other persecuted minorities. Arbeitsversicherung (Unemployment Insurance): Used to fund programs aimed at reducing unemployment in Germany.

Record Information

Title: German Guild Insurance Card with 1938 Social Contributions

Category: Social History / Guild Records

Subcategory: Nazi Era Social Insurance / Photographic Trade

Country: Germany

City: Berlin

Date of use: 26 January 1939 (postal stamp date)

Organization: Krankenkasse des Photographen-, Gold-, Silberschmieden- und Uhrmacher-Handwerks zu Berlin (Health Insurance Fund of the Guild of Photographers, Goldsmiths, Silversmiths and Watchmakers in Berlin)

Recipient: Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner, Berlin N.W.87, Flensburger Str., Stadtbahnhofs-Eck 113

Object Type: Insurance contribution notice / payment receipt (Lastschriftzettel)

Postal Features: Postal Check Account No. 147401, Berlin postal cancellation 26.1.39

Financial Details: Lohnstufe 31, 31 days, Health Insurance 3.02 RM, Unemployment Insurance 6.05 RM, Total 9.12 RM, payable by 24 January

Symbolism: Double eagle logo with "Ein Volk hilft sich selbst" (Winterhilfswerk - Winter Relief program)

Language: German

Material: Printed card stock with handwritten additions

Dimensions: Standard card format

Collection Theme: Nazi-era social insurance, guild systems, photographic trade history, labor history, Winterhilfswerk propaganda

Archival Significance: This 1939 insurance document from the Berlin guild of photographers, jewelers, and watchmakers provides detailed insight into the social insurance system for workers in the photographic trade during the Nazi era. Addressed to Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner, a photo copying business, the card itemizes December 1938 contributions for health and unemployment insurance (9.12 Reichsmark total) based on wage level 31. The double eagle logo with "Ein Volk hilft sich selbst" connects the document to the Winterhilfswerk propaganda campaign. The postal stamp dated 26 January 1939, shortly after the 24 January payment deadline, confirms the transaction. This item is a primary source for understanding the financial obligations of photographic businesses, the structure of guild-based social insurance, and the integration of propaganda into everyday administrative documents in late 1930s Germany.

Research Note:

This article is based on historical research and independent analysis of the material in the author's collection. The text has been prepared as an original interpretative study and does not reproduce copyrighted material.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
For academic reference, please refer to How to Cite This Archive.