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Book Review: Papers Please! by Ray and Josephine Cowdery

One of the best tools that we have seen in a long time is this compilation of “identity documents, permits, and authorizations of the Third Reich” as published by Ray and Josephine Cowdery of Minnes ota. Almost all of us have some kind of certificates of identification that present a puzzle as to its actual purpose, so here is the book that offers the key to its understanding. It is a hard-cover, 144-page study of these items, 8½” x 11” in format, enhanced by 199 full-color photos, with 225 ifiustrations in all. The detail of the photographs is commendable, making it easy to re&1 the documents. Best of all, the description is in English.

The above illustration shows what to expect from an analysis of a Wehrpafl book issued in 1940. It shows cover 2 and page 1 of Dr. Max Leiber’s pass. He was from UerdingenlKrefeld and stored his photo and Erkennungsmarke (dog tag) in the front cover pocket. The photo shows Leiber as he looked late in the war as a Major in the Flak Ersatz Division. [Note the purple rubber-stamped eagle and swastika with the Wehrmeldeamt inscription (Recruiting Classification Office). A review of the catalog for rubber stamps of that type is included in the next Report.] The Wekrpaf3 was a 52-page book.

At the left are examples of early and late cover designs. The authors state that the first design of the Wehrpal3 cover briefly showed the aniiy-style eagle, later exchanged for the national emblem.

This is only one example of many facts that are shown and discussed in this excellent book. Many forms of government documents, as well as fake and underground documents are examined. Cost is about $30.00 from Album Publishing Co.Inc P.O.Box 30063, Raleigh NC 27622. Their catalog number is R-JC- 1.

 

Danzig Report Vol. 1 - Nr. 101 - October - November - December - 1998, Page 13.