Original German WWII WHW Gau Oberdonau Donation Can by Westermann & Co Neheim-Ruhr

Original Item: Only One Available. The WHW, Winterhilfswerk (Winter-help-work), was an annual charitable donation event held by the "NS -Volkswohlfahrt" (National Socialist - Peoples’-welfare-organization), in which personnel from all of the organizations would solicit donations from the public, and reward contributors with a wide variety of lapel badges or propaganda booklets.

This is a very nice service used red-painted, sheet metal can, roughly 17cm in overall height, and 10.5cm in diameter. Featuring a hinged lid which is stepped as it ascends, with an angled coin slot to its apex, unto whose surface are the raised serial numbers 15233. To the lid, immediately above its hinge, is a small, circular perforation, with Papier (Paper) embossed to one side of it and Geld (Money) to the other. Unlike most other examples we have seen, this has a hinged handle on the top, not the usual beer mug style handle attached to the side. It also has an early pattern hinged tab to keep the lid closed, where a lock would be placed. The mechanism under the coil slot to prevent coins from being shaken out of the can is present but is missing part of the mechanism on one side.

Embossed to the can itself under the paper label is Gau Oberdonau, an administrative division of Germany, created after the Anschluss (annexation of Austria) in 1938 and dissolved in 1945. It consisted of what is today Upper Austria, parts of Southern Bohemia, and a small part of the Salzkammergut which was annexed from Styria.

The bottom of the can is embossed with the maker’s name; M. Westermann & Co, with G.m.b.H. underneath it, for Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (Company with limited Liability), both arching above WESCO within a diamond, and with Neheim-Ruhr arching beneath that. The embossed number 8 may be seen below the latter location, which could indicate a date.

The paint on this example is well retained, showing chips and wear along the edges, as to be expected. It does have some bending and damage to the lid hinge, and the cap itself has some large dents and deformation. Getting the tin to close can be a bit difficult at times, but is definitely doable.

Examples of these cans have become harder and harder to find in any condition. Comes ready for further research and display.