Heinrich Himmler Signed Calling Card – Reichsführer-SS, 25 July 1940

This rare Heinrich Himmler signed calling card is an original personal visiting card printed with Himmler’s name and title Reichsführer SS, together with a handwritten message, wartime date and abbreviated signature.The reverse carries a personal recovery greeting, apparently reading:“Meine herzlichsten Wünsche zur Genesung!”followed by:25.VII.40 H. HimmlerThis translates approximately as:“My warmest wishes for your recovery!”The card is also accompanied by older dealer provenance from Hannah’s Reich / Martin Stiles of Marlow, England, adding a useful documented collector history to the piece.

Heinrich Himmler Signed Calling Card

The Heinrich Himmler signed calling card is more desirable than a simple loose signature because it combines a personal card format, a handwritten message, an exact wartime date and the abbreviated H. Himmler signature.The front is formally printed:Heinrich Himmler Reichsführer SSThis restrained visiting-card format is consistent with documented surviving Himmler personal cards.A directly comparable example is recorded by Ratisbon’s, where a personal Himmler visiting card carried a handwritten greeting and abbreviated H. Himmler signature. (ratisbons.com)

Handwritten Personal Message

The reverse contains more than a routine autograph.Himmler appears to have written a complete personal recovery message:“Meine herzlichsten Wünsche zur Genesung!”The wording is warm and informal compared with standard administrative correspondence.This significantly improves the historical interest of the card because it represents personal communication rather than merely a formal signature on an official document.

Wartime Date – 25 July 1940

The card is dated:25.VII.40which corresponds to 25 July 1940.This precise wartime date places the card firmly in the early Second World War period.A dated Heinrich Himmler signed calling card is more researchable than an undated autograph because it may eventually be possible to identify the recipient or connect the message to known correspondence, travel or appointments.

H. Himmler Signature

The card is signed in the abbreviated form:H. HimmlerThis style is consistent with documented Himmler correspondence and personal cards.Ratisbon’s records a comparable visiting card signed in the same abbreviated manner, while authenticated wartime documents also show natural variation in Himmler’s handwriting and signature. (ratisbons.com)The handwriting and signature on this example are visually encouraging when compared with known period material.Nevertheless, unless a recognised specialist has physically examined the ink and document, the safest catalogue wording is:Handwritten message and signature attributed to Heinrich Himmler.That is more defensible than claiming modern forensic authentication where no current certificate is present.

Printed Reichsführer-SS Visiting Card

The front is printed in black Gothic-style lettering with Himmler’s name above his title.The card has naturally aged, showing toning, surface marks, creasing and handling wear.These features are entirely appropriate for an eighty-year-old personal document and should be preserved rather than “improved.”The combination of the printed front and handwritten reverse creates a far more complete historical object than a cut signature.

Older Hannah’s Reich Provenance

The card is accompanied by an older dealer card from:Hannah’s Reich Martin Stiles Marlow, EnglandThe card states that the business specialised in SS items.This provenance material is useful because it documents at least part of the modern collector history.It should remain permanently associated with the Himmler card and be included in the Nordmenn photographs.However, the dealer card should be described as later provenance, not as an independent autograph certificate.

Historical Context

Heinrich Himmler served as Reichsführer-SS and became one of the most powerful figures in the SS and German police apparatus.Personal calling cards are much less common than routine typed administrative documents.A card carrying a handwritten personal message, wartime date and signature is therefore a more intimate form of surviving correspondence.For collectors, the strongest value lies in the combination of format, handwriting, date and provenance rather than in the signature alone.

Condition

This Heinrich Himmler signed calling card remains in good historic condition.The printed face displays age toning and handling marks.The reverse retains the handwritten message, date and signature clearly enough for meaningful study.There are creases, staining and general age wear consistent with long-term handling and storage.The accompanying Hannah’s Reich material also shows age and wear.No cleaning, chemical treatment, pressing or aggressive flattening should be attempted.The card should be stored in an acid-free archival sleeve away from strong light and humidity.

Authentication Assessment

The following features are positive:

• personal Heinrich Himmler visiting-card format
• correct printed Reichsführer SS title
• handwritten German message
• precise wartime date
• abbreviated H. Himmler signature
• handwriting broadly consistent with documented examples
• natural paper ageing
• older collector/dealer provenance

A comparable signed Himmler visiting card is documented by Ratisbon’s. (ratisbons.com)For Nordmenn, I would catalogue it as:

Heinrich Himmler Signed Calling Card – Reichsführer-SS – 25 July 1940

Specifications

Object: Personal calling / visiting card Name: Heinrich Himmler Printed title: Reichsführer SS Date: 25 July 1940 Handwritten message: Personal recovery greeting Signature: H. Himmler Language: German Translation: “My warmest wishes for your recovery!” Provenance: Hannah’s Reich / Martin Stiles, Marlow Condition: Good historic condition with age wear Authentication status: Attributed from format, handwriting and signature comparison; specialist physical examination recommended

Internal / Inbound Links

I would use three internal Nordmenn links.Explore our original SS material and related historical documents in the Nordmenn Militaria collection.Link SS material and related historical documents to the most relevant SS collection page.Read our Militaria Provenance Guide for guidance on dealer paperwork, ownership history and supporting documentation.Link Militaria Provenance Guide to your provenance article.Browse our Museum Collection for further rare and historically significant Third Reich material.Link Museum Collection to your existing Museum Collection page.That gives Yoast strong internal linking without making the listing look overloaded.

Outbound References

Use Ratisbon’s as the direct format comparison:Ratisbon’s – Heinrich Himmler Signed Personal Visiting CardTheir example is a personal Himmler visiting card with handwritten greeting and abbreviated signature, making it a particularly relevant comparison. (ratisbons.com)You can also use an authenticated wartime Himmler document as a handwriting reference:IMA – Heinrich Himmler Signed Wartime CommunicationThat example was offered with JSA authentication and is useful for comparative signature study. (ima-usa.com)