Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch Value Guide

The Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch is a significant historical artifact representing the Nazi regime's total control over the German workforce starting in 1935. These mandatory labor passports served as a meticulous record of an individual's professional life, ultimately functioning as a tool for the state to mobilize labor for the World War II war effort.

What Is Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch Worth?

The typical price range for Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch is $80 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the cardboard cover and the presence of all original interior pages without significant tearing or water damage.
• The specific industry or company recorded; entries related to major armament manufacturers or sensitive wartime industries can increase collector interest.
• The completeness of the employment history, with a fully filled book generally commanding a higher price than one with few entries.
• Historical provenance or the inclusion of supplementary documents like the owner's ID photos or related military service records.

How to Identify Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch?

• Check for the distinctive eagle and swastika emblem embossed or printed on the front cover of the cardboard binding.
• Verify the presence of the 'Der Reichsarbeitsminister' stamp and official Nazi-era government watermarks on the interior paper pages.
• Look for chronological entries detailing job titles, wages, and specific employment dates from 1935 through 1945.
• Ensure the document contains the original owner's personal data and the official registration office stamps from the German Labor Front.

History of Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch

The Arbeitsbuch, or work book, was established in Germany in 1935 by the Nazi regime, becoming mandatory for all workers. It functioned as a comprehensive record of an individual's employment history, including job titles, wages, and periods of employment. While presented as a means of documenting professional qualifications, its primary function during the Nazi era was to enable the state to meticulously control and track the entire workforce, allowing for efficient allocation of labor, particularly in support of the war machine during World War II.