Original German WWII WHW Gau Wien Donation Can by Westermann & Co Neheim-Ruhr with Top Handle

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 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 17091. 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 intact and looks to be functional.

Embossed to the can itself at the bottom is Gau Wien, an administrative division of Germany formed in 1938 from the former Austrian federal state of Wien (Vienna) and surrounding parts of former Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). This region was in existence until the end of the war in 1945.

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 can is in very good condition, showing some denting to the body and handle of the can. The paint on this example is very well retained, showing light wear consistent with age, and has chipped away in a few areas on the raised areas and around the edges. It shows no signs of having been refinished at any time, and has a lovely patina of age.

Examples of these cans have become harder and harder to find, especially with its original label. Comes ready for further research and display.