BACKGROUND: As with most nations the Germans had a National Postal service, (Reichspost), under governmental control that was responsible for all mail being sent or received within the country. One of the Reichspost’s main sources of revenue was the manufacture and issuance of postage stamps. Generally the postage stamps featured portraits of assorted historically important military and political figures and commemorated special events and rallies. This grouping of postage stamps commemorates the death of SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. Having joined the SS in 1932 Reinhard Heydrich quickly met with Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler‘s approval for his "Nordic" appearance and brutality and quickly gained promotions and positions of increased authority being appointed as head of the SS-SD, Sicherheitsdienst und Sicherheitspolizei, (SS Security Service and Security Police), on June 17TH 1936. In September 1939 the SD and the Sipo were amalgamated and formed the RSHA, Reichssicherungshauptamt, (Central Security Department), with Heydrich as its leader. By 1941 Heydrich had been promoted to the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer and was assigned the position of Reichs Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. On May 27TH 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer Heydrich, was the victim of an assassination attempt in Prague and died on June 4TH as a result of his injuries. Of Interest: During the Third Reich Hitler was a popular figure to appear on the postage stamps and with the insistence of his official photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann Hitler was eventually persuaded to collect royalties from the stamps using his image resulting in the accumulation of a large personal profit.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Set of two printed, light weight paper postage stamp featuring Heydrich’s profile. Features a grey and white profile of Heydrich with pursed lips and closed eyes and pale grey SS runes. Heydrich’s appearance on the stamp seems to indicate that the image may have been taken from a death mask. White printed script that includes, "Deutsches Reich" to the top edge, "Böhmen und Mähren", to the bottom edge and the a life rune with Heydrich’s birth date, "7. III. 1904, followed by a death rune with Heydrich’s death date, "4. VI 1942". Pale grey, printed, numerals with "60" positioned over "+440". Of Note: The first numeral, "60", was the actual postage cost whereas the second numeral, "4.40", was a surcharge tax with the funds being utilized as a memorial fund for Heydrich. They are attached to a 14cm x 21cm, single sided page that bears a cancellation stamp, and reads "In honor of the fallen General Reinhard Heydrich, the Klattau Street is renamed Reinhard-Heydreich-Strasse. On this occasion, a ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 30, 1943, at 11 a.m. in the presence of a representative of the Reich Protector."