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US poster stamp addressing Polish Jews

Object | Accession Number: 2017.227.44

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    US poster stamp addressing Polish Jews
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    Overview

    Brief Narrative
    Poster stamp issued and distributed in 1942 by the American Federation for Polish Jews. Although they were not valid for postage, poster stamps could be affixed to letters and envelopes as fund-raising, propaganda, and educational tools. The American Federation for Polish Jews was founded in 1908 in New York City as the Federation of Russian-Polish Hebrews, and changed their name in the 1920s. During the Holocaust, the American Federation coordinated with the World Federation to provide relief and assistance to Jews living in Poland. Despite the promise printed on the stamp to not turn their back on European Jews, the United States government made it increasingly difficult for refugees to enter the country. Prior to entering the war in 1941, the State Department feared infiltration and espionage, and required multiple moral and financial affidavits in addition to a number of other documents for those wishing to enter the country. Additionally, they maintained a strict quota system, which restricted the number of visas granted each year. Fleeing Europe became even more difficult in July 1941 when U.S. consulates closed in Nazi-occupied territories, including Poland.
    Date
    issue:  1942
    Geography
    issue: New York (N.Y.)
    distribution: United States.
    Credit Line
    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum collection, gift of Gregg and Michelle Philipson
    Markings
    front, top, printed, white : AMERICA / WILL NOT / FORSAKE YOU
    front, bottom, printed, white : AMERICAN FEDERATION / for POLISH JEWS
    Signature
    front, lower right corner, within image, printed, brown ink : [illegible] / UWB
    Contributor
    Distributor: American Federation for Polish Jews

    Physical Details

    Language
    English
    Classification
    Posters
    Object Type
    Poster stamps (lcsh)
    Genre/Form
    Stamps.
    Physical Description
    Rectangular poster stamp on cream paper with a brown and light green printed image. The bottom edge is unperforated. The image in the center features a family of three with a silhouette of the Statue of Liberty, overlaying a light green background. In the back is a man wearing a dark brimmed hat and dark coat, facing towards the right, and with his left hand raised in a wave. In front of him is a woman wearing a dark coat and a light-colored headscarf tied under her chin. She is clutching her hands, and facing towards the viewer. On the right is a young boy wearing a pageboy cap and coat, facing the statue with his right hand raised and pointing. In the lower right corner of the image is a marking. The slogan is printed in a brown rectangle at the top and the distributing organization is printed in a brown rectangle below the image. There is no adhesive on the back.
    Dimensions
    overall: Height: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) | Width: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm)
    Materials
    overall : paper, ink

    Rights & Restrictions

    Conditions on Access
    No restrictions on access
    Conditions on Use
    No restrictions on use

    Keywords & Subjects

    Administrative Notes

    Provenance
    The stamp was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2017 by Gregg Philipson.
    Record last modified:
    2024-01-16 14:17:59
    This page:
    https:​/​/collections.ushmm.org​/search​/catalog​/irn562745

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