Round “Deutsche Reichspost” signage
This design was introduced around 1922. Due to the high cost of the materials the metal signs were soon replaced with painted or decal versions. The outer ring has the words “DEUTSCHE REICHSPOST” surrounding a Weimar Republic state eagle with drooped wings. These were located on passenger cars, buses, trams and trucks. This symbol was used until the mid to late 1930’s.
Material versions:
- Decal
- Painted
Sizes:
- 320mm
This style of sign is similar to the Deutsche Reichsbahn Signage used in the same period (up to the late 30’s). There are very few period pictures available of these signs.
Other signs
Additional Reichspost signs can be found in the plaques section
Gothic Lettering
This style of lettering was made up of individual letters attached to the vehicles. They were generally located under a Reichspost eagle but not always. They have been observed without an associated eagle – potentially for a period post 1945.
The lettering is quite long in relation to the eagle and is always below the eagle (as distinct to the Deutsche Reichsbahn lettering which was above, below or to the side of the eagle and swastika.
There are at least two styles of this lettering used (“Deutsche Reichspost“):
- Loose letters – each letter is attached to the vehicle separately using raised aluminium.
- One-piece – The letters are attached to a solid aluminium background as one piece. The one-piece contains a makers mark – “FRIEFI” which stands for Friedrich Fingscheidt from Velbert near Wuppertal. More details on the maker is available here. The background to the letters is generally painted red to match the color of the vehicle. The dimensions are 40cm x 6.5cm x 0.8 cm and the weight is 700 grams. This style was also used on post boxes as shown in some of the examples below.
Additional period vehicle pictures can be found here.
Loose lettering:
One piece:
