Illustration: 510px-Germania-Original-Sketch-PaulEduardWaldraff.jpg
Original sketch by Paul Eduard Waldraff for the design of the Germania stamp. In addition, a Germania stamp at 10 Pfennig (Michel number 56b) is shown at the top left. From the possession of the Archiv für Philatelie, Bonn (Museum Foundation Post and Telecommunications).
After several very positive pieces of news in recent weeks, it is now clear what the IBRA Treasury will offer. Visitors can look forward to a museum show in a class of its own as well as a whole range of unique top pieces from different time periods.
Let’s start with the museum show. The ‚Archiv für Philatelie‘ in Bonn and the ‚Museum für Kommunikation‘ in Frankfurt have conceived an exhibition especially for IBRA on the theme of „Germania: Brand and Myth“, which will show an extensive compilation of stamps and stamp designs as well as essays and proofs related to Germania. Almost all of them are unique specimens from the Bonn Philatelic Archive, where the entire philatelic collection of the Museum Foundation Post and Telecommunications is brought together. The head of the Archive for Philately in Bonn, Dr. Andreas Hahn, is in charge of the exhibition.
The stamps with the Germania motif appeared in several issues from 1900 onwards. They were designed by Paul Eduard Waldraff and were personally selected by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The higher marks, which also belong to the Germania series, were not designed by him, but probably by other designers of the Reichsdruckerei, where he was also employed. The exhibition in the Treasury is not only devoted to the philatelic aspects of the stamps, but also deals with the background stories and myths that had developed around the stamps and their motif. In a concluding section, special attention is drawn to this connection between philately and contemporary history. And two more things may be revealed at this point: During IBRA, there will be the presentation of a book on the Germania exhibition, and Dr. Andreas Hahn will give a lecture, which will take place on the IBRA stage in the trade fair foyer in front of the entrance to Hall 7.
Which other pieces will be on display in the Treasury will be announced in a few weeks. Among other things, it will be about „Legends of Old German Philately“. These are three rarities that will be presented together for the first time in the IBRA Treasury.
