Netherlands 1941 WWII censored cover Leeuwarden to Rome Jewish Judaica testimony

Item Specifics

Country

Netherlands

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Cover mailed from Leeuwarden Netherlands 20 April 1941 to Rome Italy, addressed to Miss Livia Simonelli. Franked with 12½c Queen Wilhelmina definitive tied by slogan cancel “Allen die den weg begeaft of rijdt zorgt voor ieders veiligheid” (“Everyone on the road must ensure safety”), typical of German-occupied Netherlands postal propaganda.

Reverse shows sender Sp. Holleman, Europesche Plein 11, Leeuwarden, Holland. The envelope was opened and resealed by German military censorship, with tape and multiple eagle-swastika “Geöffnet” handstamps from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.

Inside, the letter (dated 20 April 1941) from Jeanne Holleman, a Jewish woman in occupied Holland, describes daily life under German occupation: sobriety, bicycle excursions, winter concerts and ice skating, evenings spent reading and playing chess, the bitterness of war and longing for peace. She expresses admiration for her friend Ellen’s patience and strength, prays for health, and conveys resilience despite hardship. The letter also thanks the addressee for news and friendship, a human testimony of solidarity in wartime.

This Item Combines:

1️⃣ Philatelic value – Occupation-era Netherlands franking with slogan cancel and German censorship marks.
2️⃣ Historical context – Rare personal correspondence of a Jewish family (Holleman) during the Nazi occupation of Holland.
3️⃣ Social significance – First-hand testimony of daily life, culture and resilience under oppressive wartime conditions.

A poignant and scarce postal-historical artifact, suitable for WWII censored mail, Jewish correspondence, and occupation Holland collections.

Seller Information

Seller

OpenPhilately (2291)

Registered Since

04/08/2016

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99.6%

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Open Philately / Collectorbazaar

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Item Location

Montevideo, Uruguay

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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