NSDAP Non-Portable Award Plaque Kreistag der NSDAP in Rosenheim 1939 in Case

This non-wearable commemorative plaque from the NSDAP District Convention in Rosenheim 1939 represents a specific category of National Socialist memorabilia issued during regional party events. These plaques fundamentally differed from official orders and decorations in that they were not permitted to be worn on uniforms, but rather served as mementos of participation in specific party gatherings.

The NSDAP District Conventions (Kreistage) constituted important events in the organizational structure of the National Socialist Party. These assemblies served to coordinate between regional and supra-regional party leadership and to mobilize membership at the district level. The Rosenheim district formed a significant administrative area in Upper Bavaria that played a strategic role in party organization.

The year 1939 marks a particularly significant moment in the history of National Socialist Germany. A few months before the outbreak of World War II, the regime intensified its propagandistic efforts and organization of mass events. District conventions gained increasing importance during this phase, as they were intended to consolidate party loyalty and demonstrate the supposed unity of the “Volksgemeinschaft” (people's community).

The design of the plaque featuring the Imperial Eagle (Hoheitsadler) corresponds to standardized National Socialist symbolism. The eagle as a sovereign emblem was used in various versions for party and state, whereby the viewing direction and precise design of the swastika in its talons were subject to certain regulations. The inscription “Kreistag der NSDAP Rosenheim 1939” clearly documents the occasion and location of issuance.

The manufacture from bronzed and tinted non-ferrous metal was typical for such commemorative pieces. In contrast to official awards, which were often made from higher-quality materials, less expensive alloys were used for this type of plaque. Nevertheless, the bronzing gave the pieces an attractive appearance befitting the representative character of the event.

The diameter of 4.6 cm corresponds to the usual dimensions for such plaques. This size allowed for detailed design on one hand, while being practical for storage and display on the other. The fact that the plaque has survived in its original case underscores its character as a commemorative and collectible item. Such cases were often lined with velvet or similar materials and served for protection as well as dignified storage.

The production of such non-wearable awards was carried out by various manufacturers working on behalf of the party or its subdivisions. Quality and execution could vary depending on the importance of the event and available resources. In 1939, shortly before and after the outbreak of war, material shortages were already beginning to affect production.

Within the context of party organization, such plaques served several purposes: they were meant to honor participants, emphasize the significance of the event, and simultaneously serve as propaganda tools to strengthen loyalty to the party. For recipients, they often represented valued possessions documenting their status within the party hierarchy.

The historical classification of these objects requires differentiated consideration. They are witnesses to a criminal regime but possess documentary value as historical sources for researching National Socialist organizational structures and propaganda methods. Today, such pieces are found in museums, archives, and private collections, where they serve historical research and education.

The preservation in condition 2 indicates good conservation, which is remarkable for objects of this age and material. This enables detailed examination of manufacturing techniques and materials used, which in turn allows conclusions about the production conditions and standards of the time.

For collectors and historians, such plaques provide insight into the extensive system of honors and commemorative items that the NSDAP employed to bind its members and create a sense of participation in the party's activities. They represent a tangible connection to the organizational culture of the Third Reich and its methods of member engagement at the local level.