1938 German Passport (2nd Model) Marked with the Red “J” for Jew (*Judenstempel*)

Description

WARNING: Offered exclusively for the purpose of collecting or historical interest; it carries no political ideology and does not constitute an endorsement of any political agenda.

BACKGROUND: In 1938, Heinrich Rothmund, head of the Swiss Federal Police for Foreigners, urged German authorities to introduce a distinctive red “J”—the infamous “Jewish stamp”—into the passports of German citizens who were Jewish. On October 5, 1938, a decree was enacted mandating the inclusion of a printed capital “J” in these passports; consequently, all existing passports held by Jewish citizens were rendered automatically and immediately invalid. Holders were given a two-week window to submit their documents to the authorities; a passport only regained its legal validity for travel abroad once the red “J” had been stamped into it. Following this addition, those affected were subjected to a distinct administrative treatment.

DESCRIPTION: A German passport (second model) bearing the “Jewish stamp” (“J” or *Judenstempel*), issued to a Jewish woman named Cecilia Nessen. Pages 2 and 3 contain her personal information. Page 3 provides further details: she is an unmarried woman of Jewish descent with no stated profession, born on February 28, 1874, and a resident of Berlin. Her physical description includes average height, an oval face, dark brown eyes, and brown hair, with no distinguishing features. Signed on December 20, 1938, by the Berlin Police Chief, Police Department II (*Der Polizeipräsident in Berlin, Abteilung II*); valid until the same date in 1939. Complete with all 32 pages and a photograph, this is a *Reisepass* “J” (*für Juden*—for Jews)—a second-model version introduced in 1935, in which the Weimar-era eagle was replaced by the *Hoheitszeichen* (the eagle and swastika). It is marked with a large red letter “J” to identify citizens of Jewish origin. While German passports were generally valid for ten years, this passport for Jews was valid for only one year. The passport contains stamps and transit visas from the consulates general of Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador, concluding with a visa for Chile in July 1939.

VERY RARE; A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT.