Original Item: One-of-a-kind Set. Here we have a very nice set of four Identification books, three from when NSDAP ruled WWII Germany, and one from the post war period. During the period many new types of identification were required, both for civilians and military personnel, both as a method of control and to help protect vital parts of the German war machine. These books often recorded quite a bit about the owners life, much more than just their basic information. The military issued books in particulars also served as records of their service as well as pay books, so they were definitely important to keep safe.

This lovely set consists of the following Identification books:

- One German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German National Workbook), named to what looks like Maria Hallefas geb. Cowwer (???), indicating both her married and maiden names. As indicated on page 5 the book was issued 17. Sep. 1942, and it is the 1935 pattern book, with the new Reichsadler Design. These books grew out of a 1935 law requiring registration of work, and documentation of work history for German citizens-and only German citizens. Foreigners who worked in Germany carried an Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer which had a picture of the owner.

- One German WWII Reisepass (Passport), named to Hans Musmacher, which also indicates that he did not have a wife or children. It was issued 05. Oktober 1943., and he definitely did travel a bit to Romania during the war, as indicated in the later pages. There are multiple stamps, and most likely this was not the first passport Musmacher was issued. It may have been used post war, as there are numbers punched all the way through the bottom of the passport.

- One German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German National Workbook), named to Gertrud Cornely geb. Düngelhoff, on the first page and rear cover, indicating both her married and maiden names. As indicated on page 5 the book was issued 26. 9. 35, and it is the early 1935 pattern book, with the old Weimar style national eagle design, though there are still swasses in the corners. These books grew out of a 1935 law requiring registration of work, and documentation of work history for German citizens-and only German citizens. Foreigners who worked in Germany carried an Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer which had a picture of the owner. Of interest is that there is a "Certification" at the end glued into the book, indicating her field post number.

- One Post War East German Berlin Arbeitsbuch (Workbook), named to what looks to be Hersha Meiner geb. Helming on the first page and rear cover, indicating both her married and maiden names. As indicated on page 11, the book was issued on 4. März 1952, but there is work information going back to 1941, most likely copied over from an NSDAP period workbook. As best we can tell this book is from the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

A great set of German WWII Era Identification material, full of great translation and research possibilities!

Of note: some of the writing in this book is in Kurrentschrift, an older form of Germanic script writing, which is why the all the "u" letters are written as "ŭ". In this script the lowercase "n" and "u" are identical, so the latter gets the arc shaped mark over it. This is not indicative of an umlaut or other diacritical marking.