Original German WWII DAF Labor Front Embossed Lithograph Steel Propaganda Sign with Period Modifications – 29″ x 21 3/4″ Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront or German Labor Front) was a National Socialist trade union that supplanted independent unions once the NSDAPs had come to power in Germany. This 20 cm (8 inch) round Aluminum Wall Sign would most likely have been mounted outside DAF offices. It is in extremely-fine condition. The reverse is unmarked but we are confident that it is 100% period authentic.

With the dissolution of all Free Trade Unions in Germany in May 1933 the Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (German Labor Front), was established to replace the unions and to educate the workers in industry and commerce for smooth and efficient operation of all labor in the Third Reich. In October 1934 the DAF was given official status as a sub-section of the NSDAP and in March 1936 it was recognized as an independent NSDAP affiliated association and granted control of its own monetary budget. With this money it was able to procure its own signs and other insignia.

This is a very nice DAF embossed sheet steel Lithograph propaganda sign, which measures a substantial 29″H x 21 3/4″W. It is made from relatively thin steel, with rolled edges, and it looks like it possibly had previously been bent to serve as a type of “lid” for a box or trunk of some sort. This also involved removing the corners of the sign, as they would interfere with folding it. This definitely looks to have been done period, as the cut portions show oxidation on the edges. There are several small nail holes in the sign, but we do not know if these are from when it was originally hung from a wall, or from the post war period. These signs were hung outside, and it has a fantastic aged look.

The sign has a red background with a white border and text, and has a large DAF emblem in the center. Around this is the following text in what looks to be Fraktur or some other “Blackletter” type face:

Unter
diesem Zeichen
(DAF Insignia)
marschieren und arbeiten
alle schaffenden
Deutschen!

This translates to “All working Germans march and work under this sign!”, exhorting the “unity” that the DAF purported to give. In reality, the dissolution of trade unions and formation of the DAF effectively removed any type of freedom the workers had, and heavily favored industry employers. Instead of better wages, the workers instead were compensated by the “Strength Through Joy” initiative, which pretty much subsidized all types of leisure activities to keep the workers “happy”.

Signs of this nature were quickly destroyed after the fall of Germany in April 1945, ones like this were salvaged by USGIs who wanted to bring home a trophy of war. Therefore, finding authentic signs from the Third Reich has become quite difficult in the collector’s market.