Original Item: Only One Available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf AH. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS") was organized as the military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands. They chose the ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) to be their emblem, and many of their divisions also used the old Germanic Runes and symbols as well.

This is a very nice rare original Waffen-SS recruiting poster, showing soldiers in battle on the bottom, and a Waffen-SS soldier's face in the upper portion. They are wearing an M-43 field cap with the iconic Totenkopf (Death's Head) insignia of the SS on the front. It is correctly marked HÖCH in white on the lower left for the artist that created it. Across the top is WAFFEN – ᛋᛋ in bright orange print, and there is a large orange section at the bottom as well. This was so that individual SS recruiting offices could stamp or print their address and information for registration. This example has no printing in the section so we assume it was never posted.

Condition is very good, with the expected wear around the edges. It has been folded in quarters, as many were, and there is a bit of tearing at the end of the creases. There are not any major tears or other damage. We have researched this poster, and the printing dot pattern is entirely consistent with period printing methods. The age and yellowing of the paper backing definitely attests to the great age of the poster.