Rare Original German Pre-WWII “Wer führt das Dritte Reich?” Cigarette Card Collection 75 Cards Including Transitional “Männer im Dritten Reich” Examples
An interesting and historically significant original German pre-WWII cigarette card grouping consisting of 75 portrait cards from the scarce and controversial album series “Wer führt das Dritte Reich?” (“Who Leads the Third Reich?”). The cards are housed in a modern blue binder with clear archival-style card sleeves for display and preservation.
This series was originally produced in 1934 and featured portraits of prominent NSDAP political leaders, SS officials, military personalities, propagandists, and government figures during the early consolidation of the Third Reich. Following the Night of the Long Knives purge in 1934 and the downfall of Ernst Röhm, production and distribution of the original “Wer führt das Dritte Reich?” album was halted. The series was later revised, edited, and reissued under the title “Männer im Dritten Reich” (“Men of the Third Reich”), with politically undesirable figures removed and updated text issued.
This grouping does not include the highly sought-after Ernst Röhm card, but notably includes five original “Männer im Dritten Reich” transitional/reissue cards mixed within the earlier “Wer führt das Dritte Reich?” series, illustrating the changeover period following the purge. The backs remain marked by the original cigarette manufacturers and include biographical information on the individuals depicted.
The collection contains a wide variety of early NSDAP and Third Reich personalities, including political leaders, Gauleiters, SS officers, SA leaders, and military figures. The colorful portrait artwork is well executed and typical of early 1930s German tobacco card production.
The cards overall are in very good condition with expected minor age, light handling wear, and some corner wear from period use and storage. A historically interesting and increasingly hard-to-find early Third Reich cigarette card collection, especially with the transitional “Männer im Dritten Reich” examples included.
