Original Item: Only One Available. The WHW, Winterhilfswerk (Winter-help-work), was an annual charitable donation event held by the "NS -Volkswohlfahrt" (National Socialist - Peoples’-welfare-organization), in which personnel from all of the organizations would solicit donations from the public, and reward contributors with a wide variety of lapel badges or propaganda booklets.

This is a nice red-painted, sheet metal can, roughly 17cm in overall height, and 10.5cm in diameter. The red has unfortunately been painted over with gray, which could possibly be stripped, but we are unsure if this would strip the red as well. Featuring a hinged lid which is stepped as it ascends, with an angled coin slot to its apex, unto whose surface are the raised serial numbers 19202, which is quite a low number compared to many we have seen. To the lid, immediately above its hinge, is a small, circular perforation, with Papier (Paper) embossed to one side of it and Geld (Money) to the other. A handle is riveted to the reverse, beneath the lid’s hinge. This is a later pattern, and is missing the piece to secure the can closed. The mechanism under the coil slot to prevent coins from being shaken out of the can is intact and looks to be functional.

Embossed to the can itself, Gau Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost of the 16 states of Germany, comprising most of the historical Duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig.

The bottom of the can is embossed with the maker’s name; M. Westermann & Co, with G.m.b.H. underneath it, for Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (Company with limited Liability), both arching above WESCO within a diamond, and with Neheim-Ruhr arching beneath that. The embossed number 41 may be seen below the latter location, which indicates 1941 manufacture.

Examples of these cans have become harder and harder to find in any condition, this one is fair with some flaws but will still display well. Comes ready for further research and display.