An interesting group of experiments that Hitler's Third Reich conducted in the mid-1930s has been discovered. The information came to light from recently de-classified OSS/CIA documents. In early 1934 an order was given to the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker by the Deutsches Frauenwerk (DFW) to develop a powerful aphrodisiac to promote the birth of more citizens of the Third Reich. An initial search was made of well-known foods known for their possible aphrodisiac properties. Celeriac (celery root), oysters, asparagus were among those foods analyzed. An organic compound was created that married the best qualities of each. This was then chemically combined with sex hormones, to produce a tasteless, water-soluble compound that could easily be dispensed. How to widely disperse the aphrodisiac? A unique solution was chosen, coat the back of stamps sold by the Post Office. As the stamps were licked to apply them to an envelope, the mailer would receive a dose of the aphrodisiac. For a trial, the large Ostropa (Michel Block 3) was chosen. The procedure was simple. Once the stamps had been printed, the compound would be sprayed on the reverse, prior to the gumming process.
Problems developed almost immediately after the spraying started, Print-ers started to leave work to return home to their wives. By noon only one worker, a single man, was still on the job. The next morning, the printers had returned to work but were physically exhausted. Officials decided that the project was, perhaps, too successful and canceled it. The Post Office officials wanted to save the stamp issue and appealed to the original creators to provide a solution. A simple neutralization of the compound was quickly found. Just add a little sulfuric acid to the gum. This was done, much to the disappointment of many printers' wives. Other records, covering 1935, tell of another project, to increase the population's digestive systems abilities to extract more benefits from projected poorer diets. Probiotic bacteria were developed to aid everyone's intestines to absorb additional nourishment. The same distribution method was again chosen, placing the "treatment" under the gum of a postal issue. The 1936 Flugpost issue was chosen (Michel # 606-07). Problems developed almost immediately. The bacteria proved to be a fast-acting laxative, extremely fast acting. The Government Printing Office was closed for two entire days for clean-up. Once again, the solution to the problem was to kill the bacteria with a small amount of sulfuric acid introduced into the gumming mixture. Luckily, the Flugpost issue was savable. It was released on March 16. Clean-up of the printing facility continued for some time. It was almost impossible to completely remove the contamination. Over time stamps, from other countries and time periods, have become contaminated through contact with Third Reich issues printed in the facility after 1936.
Today, stamps of many countries can be found with brown spots or areas. Unknowing dealers and collectors view the condition as "foxing" or "mildew" damage. Now, after the documents were declassified on April first, we just avoid these!
