1934 Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude (KdF ) Photograph and Scrap Album

A very nice Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude (KdF or Strength through Joy) Photograph and Scrap Album relating to a voyage on the “Der Deutscher” Cruise ship in 1934.

Shortly after the seizure of power the free trade Unions were dissolved in Germany. Their members were absorbed into the new created Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF or German Labor Front) under the leadership of Reichsorganisationsleiter Dr. Robert Ley. The KdF was a subdivision of the DAF and was essentially designed for the purpose of providing organized leisure for the German worker. The concept behind the KdF was “organized relaxation for the collection of strength to perform more work”. The KdF offered activities such as trips, cruises, concerts and other cultural activities hoping that, by bringing the pleasures once reserved only for the rich to the ordinary workers, it would improve the productivity. A very popular program were the easily affordable international cruises provided by a fleet of nine modern KdF liners to foreign destinations such as Norway, Spain, Portugal, the North African coast, etc. The “Der Deutscher” was one of these ships.

Measuring 310mm x 220mm, this hardbacked album is complete with its original card sleeve, both being in very good condition.

The Album contains 12 purchased photographs and some 34 personal photographs taken on the cruise from Stettin to Stockholm. In addition there are two prints of watercolour paintings showing the route, a cruise information leaflet, two Line Company information bulletins dated the 23rd and 24th August 1934, 2 Programmes for the day with Menus card relating to the company’s service to New York and the original ticket and boarding pass.