Bidspirit auction | Two Proof Stamps for the

Two Proof Stamps for the Commemorative Stamps Honoring the Victims of the Majdanek Camp - Two early printing proofs for the design of the ”Majdanek” camp commemorative stamp series, produced by the Polish State Printing Works P.W.P.W. (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych) - the design that was rejected and the design that was ultimately accepted. Poland, [1946]. Following the liberation of the Majdanek camp by the Red Army in July 1944, the Polish postal authorities designed a series of stamps commemorating the victims and exposing Nazi terror. Presented here are early printing proofs on smooth, imperforate paper, produced by the Polish State Printing Works P.W.P.W. (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych) in late 1944. Both belong to the first commemorative series issued in Europe to expose Nazi crimes, only a few months after the liberation of the Majdanek extermination camp in July 1944. 1. Illustration of the Majdanek crematorium furnace with its doors open. In the center of the furnace is an image of a skull and crossbones (Skull and Crossbones). The denomination on this proof: 6 + 4 Zł. This version of the stamp was rejected because of the stark image of the skull and crossbones inside the furnace, which was completely removed from the official version by the committee responsible for the design. 2. Illustration of the hands of a prisoner in striped uniform reaching upward through a barbed-wire fence, against the background of a guard tower and camp barracks. The denomination on this proof: 1.50 + 3.50 Zł. This graphic design was accepted and officially issued as part of the series, but the denomination was changed in the final version to 1.50 + 10.50 Zł (increasing the additional contribution for the reconstruction of the country and the memorial fund). Identical size: 37x30 mm. Good condition.