An Early Luftschutz / Annexation of the Sudetenland Envelope

An envelope, measuring 155x125mm, extremely fine with some fraying at the top and age-related discolouration. Two stamps on the envelope read “Am Tag der Befreiung!” (On the day of liberation) and “Das freie Würbenthal 1938” (The free Würbenthal, modern day Vrbno pod Pradědem, Czech Republic). This refers to the annexation of the Sudetenland by the German Reich, a part of Czechoslovakia where many ethnic Germans lived. This happened on October 1, 1938. The envelope has four Luftschutz (Air Raid Protection) postage stamps. It is addressed to Hamburg-Altona.