Original Item: One-of-a-kind Set. Here we have a very nice set of four Identification books from NSDAP ruled WWII Germany. 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 Helmut Nalir. As indicated on page 5 the book was issued 22. April 1940, and it is the post 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 Deutſches Reich Kennkarte (German National ID Card), named to what looks to be Otto Raebel. He was born 18. November 1881, so when this was issued in Berlin on 8. Juni 1942, he was 60 years old. This ID Card is made from oilcloth type material, with particulars entered with pen, and their photograph is held inside with the correct round grommet rivets.

- One German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer (German National Workbook for Foreigners), named to what looks like Alexander Plimenko. Page 8 indicates that the book was issued on 19. 11. 1943. These books grew out of a 1935 law requiring registration of work, and documentation of work history for German citizens-and only German citizens, who were issued the Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch. Foreigners who worked in Germany carried an Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer which had a picture of the owner, as this example does on page 2, attached to the correct grommet rivets.

- One German WWII DEUTSCHES REICH KENNKARTE (German National ID Card), named to what looks to be Hilfalen Pommerening. He was born 3. Oktober 1874, so when this was issued in Berlin on 23. Januar 1945, he was 70 years old. This ID Card is a paper type, much like other ID issued at the time. The particulars are entered in pen, and their photograph is held inside with the correct round grommet rivets. We noted that there are additional stamps going into the post war period, with one dated 22. Aug 1945 on the back of the page with the photo.

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.