Air Traffic Control Armband

Product Description: This Air Traffic Control Armband is a choice example, in near mint condition. It is printed construction, as is standard for this type of armband. The front of the armband features the wording “Verkehrs-Aufsicht” (Traffic Supervision) in black Roman lettering, on a salmon pink-colored band of thin fabric, possibly rayon or thin cotton. The printing is perfect, and the armband retains full, bright original color. The printed wording is visible on the interior of the armband, a typical feature of period screen printing that used a thin, dye-like ink. The upper and lower edges of this Air Traffic Control Armband as well as the reverse are finished with gold colored machine stitching. There is no maker mark or tag, which is typical for these. This Air Traffic Control Armband only has extremely minor and slight traces of age, and is free of holes, stains or other condition issues. It is likely as fine an example of this armband variety, as one could hope to find.

Historical Description: Nearly every military, civil, political, and paramilitary organization in existence during the Third Reich used armbands. Armbands were worn on military and civilian uniforms and also on civilian clothes, from suit jackets to work clothing. They were used to denote membership in organizations, to indicate a specific role or function of the bearer, and as insignia of rank. Many organizations would change the design of their armbands over time, which added to the variety produced. These were manufactured in countless variations, ranging from simple printed bands to elaborately hand-embroidered pieces of the highest quality. Some Nazi armbands were worn by all members of large organizations and were made by the millions. Others were intended for use at a specific time and place and were unique. Many types were made in very limited numbers. Some bore metal insignia or special identifiers that indicated the wearer’s rank, unit affiliation, or nationality. Armbands were sometimes but not always marked with ink stamps by the issuing authorities.