Butter

Deutsche Markenbutter

A printed wrapper for a block of butter, reproducing German branded-butter packaging of the Reichsnährstand era. The red fraktur title Deutsche Markenbutter sits above an oval control mark with an eagle and the inscription Amtliche Kontrolle des Reichsnährstandes – Deutsche Landwirtschaftliche Markenware. Below it is the control line of the regional dairy and fat association, and the pack carries the line Anerkannte Ausformstelle Nr. 49, the number of the approved facility where the butter was shaped and packed.

Historical background

The Reichsnährstand was founded in 1933 and controlled production, marketing and distribution of food. Markenbutter was the top quality class, and in March 1940 it had its own maximum price. Until 1942, butter for the troops was packed in various paper containers and cans. Paper-wrapped bars like this one existed alongside the cans, in both small and large sizes.

Butter appears in period ration figures: 25 g in a march ration, and an extra 18 g for paratroopers on jump day.

Parcels for soldiers on leave included butter: 0.5 kg in the Führergeschenk and 1 kg in the Führer-Paket für Osturlauber from about September 1942. These were ordinary commercial goods, which is where a retail wrapper like this was used.

The reproduction

Printed in two colours on paper resembling period wrapping paper, with fold lines for wrapping a block. Wrap it around real butter or a dummy block.

Suited for field kitchens, ration displays, parcels, film props and museum exhibits about wartime supply.