posted on October 11, 2000 01:48:52 PM
Hi wise ones! I'm getting ready to list some hat ornaments, they are unused milliners stock, and they have paper labels which say "Made in Germany" and then were stamped "Made in Germany Soviet Occupied". Anyone know when this was, so I can pass along the info in my listing? Thanks!
posted on October 11, 2000 02:25:16 PM
Thanks Julesy. I knew the pieces must be post WWII. Any idea how long the Soviets were there? 1950's? 1960's? (I am woefully ignorant about European politics!)
posted on October 11, 2000 02:45:56 PM
Hi missspider --
I am just guessing here, but...
Germany was finally carved up around 1949, with it being divided into East and West Germany. East Germany was occupied by the Soviets, but by then, it was called the GDR (German Democratic Republic).
So I would think that your pieces were made during the initial occupation, between the years of 1945-1949, before Germany was officially divided. Otherwise they would be labeled with something to signify whether they originated in the East half or West half.
posted on October 11, 2000 02:49:58 PM
I don't have a reference book handy but I believe the Berlin Wall came down about 10-12 years ago. I recall President Reagan in a speech saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall." Unification came not too long after that. Someone out there may have the exact date.
I have never seen the Soviet occupied marking. I have items marked "Made in East Germany" as well as "Made in Western Germany." Interesting!
posted on October 11, 2000 02:50:29 PM
The dates for Soviet Occupied Germany was 1945-1949. Soviet Occupied became East Germany.
You will also find items marked "US Zone" from the same time period. i'm sure there must be items marked from the other zones but I have never seen any.
