How the collection started:
The ritual of the advent calendar was not practiced in our family when I was young in the 1940s.
My first was given to me by a family member, who inherited this family Advent calendar from his mother, who was born in Germany.
I never had one before, knew about them, but had not paid much attention to them, but it was clear to me that it was an old one. He explained that there were 25 doors and that on December 1st  the number 1 door was opened to reveal, in this case, biblical text; the next day door no. 2 was opened, and so on, until on Christmas day it was door no. 25. I though that was a delightful ritual for the children in preparation of Christmas Day.
And that was the incentive to start a new collection line.

As much information is to be found on the internet, and several books have been published on the subject, I give here only a short history of the Advent calendar:
The Advent (from the Latin word Adventus meaning “coming”) is the period before Christmas, observed in many Western Christian churches. In this period Christians prepare for Christmas and the birth of Jesus. The liturgical year always begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27 and December 3,  and ends on December 24. The advent period comprises approximately four weeks and always has 4 Sundays, while the total number of weekdays range from 22 to 27.
The tradition of advent calendars can be traced back to the 19th century. One of the early practices was to put a chalk mark on a door for each day in December till Christmas Eve. Another was to light a candle every day, either on an Advent wreath or a chandelier. It seems that the first advent wreath has been invented by the Lutheran theologist, Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881). In 1839 he used a wooden wheel with four large and nineteen small candles. During Advent, for each Sunday a large candle was lit, and for every other day a small one. Children could see how many more days till Christmas. Another relates the “Advent tree”, originating around the mid-19th century; at the start of the Advent period a conifer would be placed in the home and every day a prophecy of the Old Testament would be recited before putting a candle, together with a paper star on which the recited text was written. Around 1880 printed prophecies became available (model in the form of vine leaves has been found).
The first printed Advent calendar dates from 1902, some mention 1904, but it was after WW2 that mass production started.

A6 Stand-up 4-panel advent calendar or advent house in the form of a house.
Dimensions: the front and back panels are 20,2cm wide and the two side panels are 16,6cm wide; all are 25cm high; when a light is placed inside, the round panels light up.
A similar design is shown in the book “Weihnachtszeit” from the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in München, page 28, photo n°9.

This calendar has been produced since 1926 and still is today. The above dates probably from around the 1930s. I have another one, which I think is older because the back of the cardboard is dark brown, while this is a light cream color.

Text printed on the envelope of the above advent house. It says that this is no. 7043 Advent House in litho print. High 24,5 cm and total width 73 cm.
Is from the “Verlag der St.-Johannis Druckerei, Dinglingen (Baden)”.

A8 Advent calendar, 1 thru 24; dimensions 29,5 x 21,5 cm. It bears the signature of Fritz Baumgarten and the number “381” in the right hand bottom corner. Published by A. Korsch Verlag.
This calendar is without glitter, but I have seen one that was and thought to be of around 1955.

A10 Stand-up 4-panel advent calendar or advent house; each panel 15,5 x 21,5 high. At the bottom is printed “S.J.D. 7019” and “Buchhandlung der Evangelischen Gesellschaft, Stuttgart”. Shown in the book “Weihnachtszeit” from the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in München, page 28, photo no. 9.

This calendar has been produced since 1926 and still is today.

A12 Advent calendar, 9-panel stand-up in the form of a nativity scene. Completely pulled out it is about 51 cm wide and 20,5 cm high. Highlighted with glitter and doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below right is printed “Printed in US Zone Germany” and on the left “313”.
I have seen a similar one with a paper glued to the back explaining Advent and on this paper was printed “Made in Western Germany”; I do not know what was printed on the calendar itself.

A15 Advent calendar which is part of the panorama book “Een boek voor de Kersttijd” (A book for Christmas Time), a Dutch version of Tasha Tudor’s 1979 edition.
Dimensions: closed 19,5 x 27,5 cm and open 38,5 x 27,5 cm.
The nativity scene in this book is also shown in this section, but on the page Houses-Nativity.

Other Advent calendars by Tasha Tudor :
- COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR, New York, Rand McNally, 1982.
- THE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, New York, Rand McNally, 1980, 11" x 25 1/2".
- LAPIN AND LAPIN, AN ADVENT CALENDAR FROM TASHA TUDOR, Chicago, Rand McNally & Company, 1978, 11" x 25 1/2".
- Village fold-out advent calendar

A17 German “Frösi-Weihnachtskalender ” with “Schlüsselkarte zum Frösi-Adventskalender”(Christmas calendar with key card for Frösi advent calendar), supplement of the magazine “Fröhlich sein und singen” edition 1959, number 11. Junge Welt – Verlag für Zeitungen und Zeitschriften. Junge Welt was the official newspaper of the Freie Deutsche Jugend (FDJ; Free German Youth; ref. Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_German_Youth).
The calendar consists of three parts:
- the front page : 1 thru 5 December to be cut out from the key page and to be pasted on this front page in the blank spaces.
- the inner part: 6 thru 24 December to be cut out and to be pasted on the uncolored figures.
- the back page: 25 thru 31 December to be cut out and to be pasted on this page in the blank spaces.

Artist would be Richard Hambach.
Dimensions: closed 29,5 x 20,3 cm.

A19
Advent calendar, doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 31 x 25 cm.
In the bottom right hand corner is printed “Dr.Trenkler – Verlag G.m.b.H. Leipzig 1182” and below left is the signature :

Artist : Toni Wagner-Schilffarth

See A118 by the same illustrator and publisher.

A22 & A23 Two Advent calendars with glitter, each numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 28,3 x 20,3 cm.
These calendars come from a family in The Netherlands. They were part of an estate they inherited from an old aunt who had a shop, which certainly existed in the 1950s and closed down around 1985.
On the back of A22 is printed “47 Made in Western Germany” and on A23 “54” and on the cover sheet of both is printed the same text, which is peculiar because of the different graphics: “No. 851 © Made by Kruger in Western Germany”.
I have seen several advent calendars with identical graphics, sold in Germany, but with text “47 AFKH” and “54 AFKH” bottom left and thought to be of the 1950s.
Another AFKH advent calendar in this collection under A93.

The following information is available on the internet, but I cannot vouch for its correctness:
Arthur F. Krüger Verlag, Hamburg (later Intana / Venezuela.
Approximately 1913-1983? produced Advent calendars and greeting cards, from 1949 also glossy pictures (die cut scraps).
The company Krüger has not been around for some years.
Under "AFKH" usually double arches 21x 29 cm (ie 2x 21x15) glossy images were produced.
Later, as "Kruger" as far as known only the small arches 21x15 (A5).

A28 Pop-up advent calendar, the front cover with Santa and holly; open it shows Santa in a sleigh and many children and a house, with doors numbered from 1 thru 24.

It is marked in the top right corner “Copyright E.O. & Co. Nr 61.050 Printed in Sweden” (According to info found on the internet: Erik Olsson & Co., Sundbyberg/Solna, Sweden), and illustrator is Evalisa Agathon (ref. Mimmu Takalo from Finland).

Probably dates from the 1950-60s ???

Dimensions closed: 25,3 x 33,5cm.

A29 Pop-up advent calendar with on the front and the back Santa in a chimney with toys and a cat, inside many children and angels, a house with Santa climbing in the chimney. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
On the front cover is what could be a signature “S.P.Z.” and on the back cover are the printers information “COPYRIGHT 6105 IF COPENHAGEN CARLSEN VERLAG GMBH – HAMBURG MADE IN DENMARK”.
Probably dates from the 1950-60s ??
Dimensions closed: 25 x 32,5cm.

A32 Advent calendar of snow babies in a tree with lots of mushrooms beneath it. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.Graphics by illustrator Hannes Petersen, signature at the left. This is her artist name. Born in Berlin on July 21, 1885 as Johanna Helene Charlotte Schröder, and died on January 20, 1960, also in Berlin. She worked for about 25 publishing houses among others in Danmark, Belgium, France and USA. Most important publishing houses in Germany were Pittius Publishing House, where Frau Tucholsky worked as manager, Hermann Wolff Publishing House, AFKH - Artur F.Krüger, Hamburg and Wiechmann Publishing House, Starnberg near Munic.
Dimensions: 21,5 x  29,5cm

A35 Advent calendar with angels and a Christmas tree with below the text “Ehre sei Gott in der höhe !” (Honor to God in the highest (heaven)). Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
The illustrated angels are typical Erzgebirge made by Wendt & Kühn (ref. Mr. Peter Nicolaus).
In the margin below left is printed the designer’s information “Entwurf: Gesellschaft Graphik u. Kunst” and on the right probably the printer’s or publisher’s specifications “Merzdorf & Frosch, Saalfeld-S./0182 5704 30.5.49”. Maybe these last figures could mean that it dates from 1949, although considering the print it seems older to me.
Dimensions: 18,8 x 20,8cm.

A36 Advent calendar with children baking Christmas cookies. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Below left is the signature, a letter “R” and in the margin is printed: “Flechsig-Adventkalender Nr. 7 “Weihnachtsbäckerei” (Christmas bakery) .
Dimensions: 21,8 x 30cm.

A37 Advent calendar angel ringing bell. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below right is the signature “Lore H.” (Lore Hummel) and in the margin below left is printed “Made in West Germany” and on the right “020”..
Dimensions: 20 x 28 cm.

A43 Advent calendar in the shape of a lantern. The other side has the same design. In the base is a candle holder and when lit, light shines through. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
No mention of designer or publisher. It dates from 1957 and was sold under the ref. no. 203, according to information from the November 2004-January 2005 exhibition in the Museum Voswinckelshof, Dinslaken in Germany. This is confirmed by information in the Herold catalog of 1957 when it was offered as “Nr. 203 Adventslaterne, mit 24 Fenstern zum öffnen DM 1.20”
In the 1960’s a white version was produced.
(Ref. T. Peschel)
Dimensions: 26,5 (2 sides) x 24,3 cm high.

A45 Advent calendar, designed by Fritz Baumgarten, with a Hansel and Gretel scene with the witch and dwarfs around a “lebkuchen” house. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Baumgarten’s signature is below right and in the border, left hand side “Leipziger Adventskalender Nr. 18374” and on the right “MEISSNER & BUCH (logo) LEIPZIG  O 03 / Z 3342” .
Dimensions: 29,8 x 21,2 cm.

A46 Advent calendar depicting children and angel scenes. At each scene the title or first bar of a Christmas song is shown. Doors numbered from 6 thru 24, meaning that the opening of the doors started on St. Nicolas day.
Below, in the right hand corner, is the designer’s signature “RAA”, referring to the children books illustrator Charlotte Baron-Raabe (see also no. A30). In the border, left side, is “KMN Nr. 5” (Publisher Michel Kunstverlag Nürnberg).
Dimensions: 28,7 x 37,8 cm.

A47 Advent calendar showing a house with a star, angels and children. Doors numbered from 6 thru 24, meaning that the opening started on St. Nicolas day. No printer’s indication, but signed below left the monogram “AR”, and below right the signature “A. Rebmann”. According to the November 2004-January 2005 exhibition in Museum Voswinckelshof, Dinslaken in Germany, this calendar dates from around 1950. No designer's name was given.
Dimensions: 14,6 x 20,8 cm.

A48 Advent calendar with Walt Disney’s Dumbo as main theme in the circus, together with other of his characters, glitter highlights. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below, in the left hand corner is printed “© WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS No 32 A. KORSCH VERLAG . MÜNCHEN . Made in W.-Germany”. Advent calendar A33 in this collection is another Disney advent calendar, but from another publisher and with no glitter; I feel that one is older.
Dimensions: 43 x 30 cm.
Photo has been taken with calendar in its plastic cover, which has some effect on the result.

A49 Advent calendar with Walt Disney’s Pinocchio and Gepetto as main theme, together with other Disney characters, with glitter highlights. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below, in the left hand corner is printed “© WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS No 22 A. KORSCH VERLAG . MÜNCHEN . Made in W.-Germany”. I have seen an advent calendar with the same main theme, but only half of this scene, by the same publisher, but with the ref. no. “222”.
Dimensions: 43 x 30 cm.
Photo has been taken with calendar in its plastic cover, which has some effect on the result.

A50 Advent calendar in the form of a house, so-called “Adventshaus”, consisting of 4 panels. The inside is covered with thin red paper on with bible text, which can be read when the doors are opened. When set up a lit candle is put inside and the light shines through the windows. Doors numbered from 1 thru 25. Design by Ruthild Busch-Schumann (1900-1989), signature bottom right, and at the left “Nr. 7102  St-Johannis-Druckerei  Lahr-Dinglingen”, the publisher. Period: 1935.
Dimensions: each panel 11,7 wide x 14,7cm high.

A51 Advent calendar, supplement of the children’s magazine “Frösi”, 1956 edition, November number. It was the customs to have an advent calendar in the November edition.
Artist: Richard Hambach
Info from Wikipedia: FRÖSI is the name of a children's magazine which was very famous in the German Democratic Republic. It was the magazine for members of the Erns Thälman Pioneer Organisation. The word FRÖSI comes from the first line of the at that time popular pioneer song "Fröhlich sein und singen" ("Being happy and sing"). This title in full length was used until 1965, then the short form replaced it. The first edition was released on June 25, 1953. At first it was published every 6 weeks, from 1956 monthly.
Many children and teenagers read the magazine in the GDR, it was always sold out quickly. A reason was the very creative and interesting, originally and individual presentation. The magazine included Comics, articles about nature, science and technology and more. It was also popular because of the gimmicks. The magazine was also recommended by many teachers.
In 1990 it was renamed as tandem. In March 1991 it was discontinued.
In June 2002 Neues Deutschland tried to reanimate the magazine with a single edition of FRÖSI as a gimmick in the news paper. In May 2005 the FRÖSI started again as a monthly magazine. But only some months, it was discontinued again in November 2005.
Dimensions: closed  29 x 21,5 cm.

A52 Dutch advent calendar, called “Op weg naar de Kribbe” (on the way to the manger) in the form of a spiral booklet.
It is Dutch and was published by Cantecleer/De Bilt in the 1960s. On the back of the cover page it says “Copyright 1960 Verlag Ernst Kaufmann, Lahr/Schwarzwald, Germany. Original title: Der Weg zur Krippe”. Text from Heidrich Hoffmann, drawings from Reinhard Herrmann.”. It is still being sold e.g. “Ernst Kaufmann Verlag, 1997, 50 Blatt, 3-7806-0517-1” and “(1960/1972), 52 Seiten, durchgehend farbig illustriert, kartoniert, Format 29,7 x 21 cm” on the same site.
On the front page it says that with the pictures in this advent calendar you can make a wonderful Christmas group and the stories are to be read.
The calendar starts with “24 days before Christmas”, the next page with “23 days before Christmas” followed by a page with an angel to be cut out, page with “22 days before Christmas” is followed by a page with a star, etc. up to the last page with “Christmas eve” and the cut-out page with baby Jesus and a lam.
The back of the cover page shows a picture of the finished nativity scene.
Dimensions calendar: 24 x 17 cm.

A53 Advent calendar described as “Im Weihnachtsland”, meaning “In Christmas Country”. There are clouds with children and angels and with Santa Claus on a cloud top right, all above a city from which a ladder leads to the Christmas Land. It has been decorated with glitter, now turned a dark gray.
It bears below right a monogram “RL” or “DL”(?) and the letters of the publisher “J.S.J/W” (Jozef Schwartz Junior, Wien). In the description of this calendar it was said it was by Kurt Brandes.

This is confirmed when looking at the signature in full on calendar A96, purchased later on.
On the back is stamped "Made in Austria".
Doors start with number 1 and end at 24.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 27,5 cm.

A54 Advent calendar described as “Regenbogenrutsche” (rainbow slide). The illustration, it seems also by Kurt Brandes, is very similar to the previous advent calendar. Angels and Santa on clouds with the rainbow going down into a town at night. Also enhanced with glitter.
Bottom right corner is the monogram “DL” or “RL” and in the margin “Printed in Germany” and left a logo “M” (Michel Kunstverlag, Nürnberg) and “78”. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dates from around 1957.
Dimensions: 30 x 30 cm.

A55  “Münchener Weihnachts-kalender” by Jos Mauder, titled “Bilder-Album wie Peter und Liesel das Christkind suchten” (picture album as Peter and Liesel look for the Christ child)
This is the booklet in which the pages of the tear-off calendar are pasted. The calendar block was attached to a strong cardboard with the same design. Each day, starting December 1, a page was torn off and pasted in the book, to end with December 24.Dimensions of the booklet: 12 x 18,8 cm, pictures are  5 x 7,1 cm.

A56 Panoramic advent calendar “Kleine Stadt im Mondschein” (Small Town in Moonlight). This version was published by Sellmer verlag in 1954, and it is now available as a reprint under panoramic no. 140.
It shows an idyllic old town at night with people still about and, on the right, Santa going over the bridge. Enhanced with glitter, now turned dark grey.
Below, in the corner left there is a designer's signature “Kaiser”, with in the margin “Made in Germany US Zone”.
I have not found any information on Ms Kaiser, but it seems she is still living.
Right, in the margin, is Sellmer’s logo and “Copyright 1954 by Sellmer Verlag Stuttgart-Rohr”.
Dimensions: 68,8 x 21,5 cm.

A57 Advent calendar, design by Else Koch, a writer of children books.
Santa Claus with his sack spilling toys etc. in a snowy landscape with children and an angel.
Below right is the signature and probably publisher’s reference “M 307 – Z 6175”, while below left is the publisher's logo "AL" (Großvertrieb Berlin Tempelhof ( rd. 1950 ) and the reference “Best.- Nr. 2”.

Doors are numbered from 1 thru 24.

Advent calendar A114 is by the same artist and publisher.

Dimensions: 21.3 x 29.5 cm.

A58 This is a panoramic stand-up advent calendar, published under the name "Die kleine Stadt" (The small Town), in 1946. It was Sellmer’s first advent calendar after WW2. The shop names were in German, while on my calendar the names are in English, so this is the version for the American market. As in the bottom right margin is printed “Made in Germany US zone”,  one could conclude that it dates from 1945-1949. But I have seen another Sellmer calendar with US zone and copyright 1954.
In Newsweek magazine a picture of President Eisenhower’s grand children with this advent calendar was published at the time. A member of the Sellmer Verlag was kind enough to let me know that this is the English version and only available in the U.S. This calendar was published in German, English and Swedish, but there is no record which version was printed first. I cannot see the date of Newsweek.
Design by Elisabeth Lörcher
Doors are numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 68,7 x 21,5 cm.

A58B This is the German version of “Die kleine Stadt”, and Sellmer's first calendar after WW2, published in 1946. Texts are in German and while on the American version only the Sellmer logo is on the front of the first house from the left, on the German version the following text is added: “VERLAG v. R.SELLMER  STUTTGART ROHR”, while for the “POST”, the words “Office” have been left off.
Design by Elisabeth Lörcher.
Dimensions: 69,3 x 21,5cm.

Also, it is now available as a reprint.

A60 Advent calendar showing a Christmas market, doors numbered from 1 thru 24. At first glance it is a standard advent calendar, but when looking behind doors 12, 16 and 20 there are pictures of packets of corn flakes of the firm Kölln-Werke, Elmshorn. This is very unusual, as advertising advent calendars normally show the firm's name on the front, clear to see for everybody.
I cannot find any indication of illustrator or publisher, but it is supposed to be from, and it does fit the style of the illustrator Gudrun Keussen, published by Ars Sacra in München, thought to be in the 1960s. But this calendar could be later, certainly when compared with advent calendar A87, also by Gudrun Keussen, but dated, and different quality paper & cardboard and colors.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 21 cm.

A75 Very attractive advent calendar of Santa and angels in the snow. There is no mention of illustrator, publisher or country, but according to the CD of the Exhibition “Adventkalender”, 28 November 2004 – 16 January 2005 in the Museum Voswinckelshof, Dinslaken, it is called “Der Weihnachtsmann kommt ins Dorf” (Father Christmas comes in the Village), Meindl & Kittsteiner, München, about 1935.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 30 x 21,50cm.

A62 Three-fold advertising leaflet  from the firm Haeverlein-Metzger, promoting Lebkuchen and other sweets, in tins, boxes and in Hexenhäuschen (witch houses), Adventshäuschen (advent houses)and Adventskalender (advent calendar) filled with biscuits, chocolat or sweets.
According to information found in the Advent Calendar exhibition held in the Museum Voswinckelshof, Dinslaken, Germany, in 2004-2005, this leaflet dates from the 1950s.
The Haeverlein tradition can be traced back to 1492; the Metzger brand was first documented in 1586. The two companies merged on June 5th, 1920.

A63 Advent calendar titled ‘Bald ist Weihnachtstag’ (soon it is Christmas Day). Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
I cannot find any signature, but on the back there is printed information/advertisement for two children games, plus the following publisher and printer information:

Gen. WIM NRW – B III a – 17-25.Nr. 1679 vom 31.5.48   Herausgeber : Heinrich Borgmann, Dortmund  Druck : Fritz Busche Druckereiges. M.b.H., Dortmund / 7. 48

I think this means it is from 1948.
The printer is still active today, and still in Dortmund; about the publisher I have not found any information.
Dimensions: 21,5 x 27cm.

A64 Kruger Advent calendar, with doors numbered from 1 thru 24. A snowy scene with a church and angels on a gold background. The decoration is in relief printing.
There is no signature, but on the back is printed the Kruger information and at the op the number ‘442’. Notice that this one has reference No. 860, while the two next ones have the same reference No.860/1.
Dimensions: 29,7 x 29,5 cm.

A65 Kruger advent calendar with a Santa  train and angels on a gold background. The decoration is in relief printing.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Below right is a signature ‘Frankie’ in white.
On the back is the Kruger reference, No. 860/1 and the number ‘12941’.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 28,5 cm.

A66 Kruger advent calendar with a Christmas market and children on a gold background. The decoration is also in relief printing.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below right is a signature ‘Frankie’ in white.
On the back is the Kruger reference, No. 860/1 and the number ‘12943’.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 28,5 cm.

A89 Kruger Advent calendar with angels flying from the sky to a Christmas tree and Baby Jesus, on a gold background. Decoration also in slight relief.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Below is also the signature in white „Frankie“.
On the back is again printed, “860/1 © Made by Kruger in Western Germany” and at the top the number “12940”.
Dimensions: 29.5 x 28,5cm.

A90  Advent calendar of angels carrying packages coming from windows in the clouds down a slide to Father Christmas. No indication of publisher or illustrator, but in the margin of the left bottom corner the number “3054”.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Design by Hannes Petersen; Publisher is Meissner & Buch, Leipzig; approx. 1935 (ref. Peter Nicolaus).
Dimensions: 21,2 x 29cm.

A67 Stand-up advent calendar with two fold-outs, called “Drei Könige” from the publisher  Richard Sellmer Verlag in Stuttgart, Germany. It dates from 1958.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Below left on the fold-out is printed “Order Nr. 205” and underneath the fold-out is printed in red “© 1958 (logo Sellmer)”.
Below right under the right fold-out in red “Order Nr. 205  Made in Western Germany”
According to information on the Sellmer website the design is by Elisabeth Lörcher, but I cannot find any signature.
Dimensions open: 71 x 21 cm. On the Sellmer website the dimensions are 69 x 20 and date given “50er”.

A69 Advent calendar called “Fairy Tales”, with a village in the snow with dwarfs and “lebkuchen” house. At the bottom is a banner, reading “Wake up, wake up, little fairy folk, come out of your hiding places. Doors and windows open wide, usher in the blessed Christmas-Tide!”
In the left corner is the designer’s signature “E. Lörcher”, and in the margin “Made in US Zone Germany” with the Richard Sellmer Verlag logo.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
An inclosed yellow leaflet in English with instructions and the very amusing addition “He who looks behind a door or window before it is their turn will get a reprimand from Father Christmas and steal his own daily pleasure.”, the list of fairy tales and “Made in Stuttgart-Rohr, Germany US Zone”.
The envelope is decorated with greenery and angels and “FAIRY TALES  MADE IN GERMANY US. ZONE”.
This is the version for the American Market.
Dimensions: 40 x 29,3 cm.

A70 Advent calendar, “Märchen-Rätsel-Kalender”, the German version of A69. Identical graphics, with the exception of the german text in the banner and text in the banner of house “12”. Also the text "Made in US Zone Germany" is not on the calendar, only on the envelope. It is also not visible on the example printed on the envelope. The envelope has text in German and English, listing the fairy tales in English only; could be used for the two languages, and the Sellmer logo. On the envelope is pencilled "S 12.10.56 nr.20 D.M. 1,-".

In Sellmer's advent calendar list it is noted being of the 50s, which does corresponds with the note on the envelope.

A71 Very large Advent calendar, to be folded into a tall box, representing a wall clock. I have not tried it out.
Photo on the left is the front and one side and the photo on the right is the back with the other side.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24, being the clock with moveable dials.
Below near the base is printed publisher’s information “copyright I.CHR.OLSEN  KUNSTFORLAG”. It is probably from Denmark.
Dimensions: 66,5 cm high and front side is 13cm wide.

A91 Stand-up advent calendar in the form of an angel, double sided; the wings are movable. Doors numbered from 1 thru 25 (Christmas day). On the back are printed the publisher’s name and reference „Copyright E.O. & Co.  nr. 68.086. Made in Sweden“ (According to info found on the internet: Erik Olsson & Co., Sundbyberg/Solna, Sweden).

A72 “Advents=Häuschen” (Advent House). The front of this album had the bloc with the 24 tear-off sheets attached to the door. Where it was it is damaged. The top sheet of the calendar, duplicate of the door, has been glued to the inside of the cover. I have seen this practice with other tear-off calendars. On this top sheet is printed “Ein Bilder=Märchen für die Weihnachtszeit vom 1. bis 25. Dezember” (fairytale images for the Christmas period 1 to 25 December). As far as I can understand it tells the story of the adventures of Hans, Liesel and their dog Schupp. For 20 days they walk through the forest of fairytales, among which I recognize the Land of the Goblins, Santa, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Mother Hulda. On day 21 they are lost and homesick. An angel finds them, with whom they fly through the starry sky back home, where the bright Christmas tree awaits them.
The front bears the illustrator’s name “Rita Pauer”. I have not found any specs on this illustrator.
Ref. the CD of the "Ausstellung Adventskalender 28.November 2004-16.Januar 2005 in the Museum Voswinckelshof, Dinslaken" under no. 21, it is dated of 1930.
Dimensions closed: 21,5 x 30,5cm.

A73 Another Walt Disney advent calendar, this time with Snow White and the seven dwarfs, with silver glitter highlights, now turned dark grey. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
In the left bottom corner is printed “© WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS No 35 – MICHEL KUNSTVERLAG – MUNCHEN – Printed in Germany”. Probably it dates from the 1960s.
Dimensions: 43 x 30,5 cm.

A76 Advent calendar of Santa with sleigh in the woods, heavily glittered. The only publisher’s indication is on the back “14 Printed in Germany/importé d’Allemagne” (Publisher AFKH Nr. 14).
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 20 x 28cm.

A77  “Salamander” Advent calendar, showing Santa on a pony with angels and dwarfs at the dwarfs’ house. It has been issued by the firm “Salamander, Berlin SW 29, Kottbusser Damm 81/82”. In the bottom margin, on the left, is printed “Imprimé en Allemagne”. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 24 x 18cm.

In the folder of an exhibition the same advent calendar is shown, but the text on the wooden post reads "Salamander-Alleinverkauf SCHUHHAUS OBSEN Bad Schwartau", but has also "Imprimé en Allemagne" in the margin. Design by Heinz Schubel, published by Salamander AG,Kornwestheim, 1954.

German artist Heinz Schubel was the longtime illustrator of 'Lurchi', a well-known series of illustrated advertising stories for the Salamander shoe firm.

A78 Fold-out, three-dimensional Walt Disney advent calendar with many of his characters. When the lever on the right is pulled the see-saw with Mickey and Dumbo goes up and down and Santa moves from left to the right. It is marked “© WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS, GEMO logo, MADE IN DENMARK COPYRIGHT 7552, JOENSEN KRUCKOW HJALMAR WALDORFF logo”.
Doors are numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: approx. 40,5 x 33cm and 8,5 fold-out.

Hamish Hamilton Christmas Cards and Advent Calendars
These are the first advent calendars published in the United Kingdom by Hamish Hamilton Limited, British book publishing house.
In 1953 they approached Dorothy Sayers with the idea of creating an illustrated Christmas card. The cards would be designed for commercial sales, and geared towards children in particular. D. Sayers agreed to provide the text and after the first card was published for Christmas 1953, The Days of Christ’s Coming, collaboration continued between D. Sayers and Hamilton for several more, The Story of Easter, The Story of Noach’s Ark, The Story of Adam and Christ.
Others were published, but texts by Enid Blyton: Christmas Story, Elizabeth Goudge: David, the Shepherd Boy, R.J. Cruikshank: A Christmas Carol, and The Days before Christmas, no author, only illustrator F. Wegner mentioned.
Illustrations by B. Biro and Fritz Wegner.
There is an unpublished one, called “The Enchanted Garden”, intended to become a Christmas card.
Commonly known as the “Advent cards”, seven of them contain illustrations with small numbered doors, like an advent calendar, which are opened to reveal scenes behind each.

The Days of Christ’s Coming was later published as a book in London by Hamish Hamilton in 1960.

Publishing dates given below are in my opinion not all correct as some are contradictory, but I do believe they are all in the 1950s.

Dorothy Sayers: British author, 1893-1957.
Fritz Wegner: illustrator, born in Vienna, Austria, in 1924, naturalized British subject.
Enid Blyton: a very successful children’s writer, England 1897-1968.
Elizabeth Goudge: English author of novels, short stories and children’s books, April 24, 1900-April 1, 1984.
R.J. Cruikshank: Robert James; journalist, April 19, 1898-May 14, 1956.
B. Biro: Stephen Balint ("Val") Biro; October 6, 1921, born in Budapest, Hungary, and in 1939 came to England, children's author, artist and illustrator.

A79 I bought this, thinking it was a Christmas advent calendar ‘The Story of Easter’, although I was a bit confused about the title, told by Dorothy L. Sayers (British author, 1893-1957). The picture painted by B. Biro. Published by Hamish Hamilton Ltd., 90 Great Russell Street, London W.C.1, in 1955.
On the cover it also says “There are 27 numbered doors to be opened as you follow the story”, and indeed, in the text the door to be opened is between brackets.
It is a booklet with three pages text, one page with the doors and one page with the pictures behind the doors.
On the back of the booklet is a list of other publications in this series: The Days before Christmas, The Days of Christ’s Coming, Enid Blyton’s Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol, The Story of David (David The Shepherd Boy), and The Story of Adam and Christ (with numbers, but no doors); the publishing company is repeated; Printed in England; The Haycock Press Ltd., London,S.E.5.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 19,2cm, the back somewhat wider.

A80 This is ‘The Days of Christ’s Coming’, published in 1953. It has three pages with text and one page with the calendar doors; the pictures behind the doors seem to be have been printed on the inside of the back cover.
On the cover are the instructions “The picture inside has twenty-seven doors for you to open as the story goes along. You can start on the fourteenth of December and open one door every day until the seventh of January. If you start earlier or later than this, remember that the Stable Door (door 12) is the one that opens on CHRISTMAS DAY.”
The picture painted by Friz Wegner, the story told by Dorothy L. Sayers. Published by Hamish Hamilton, Ltd., 90 Great Russell Street, London, W.C.1. There is no information on the back.
Dimensions: appr. 29,2 x 19,2cm.

A82 This is “The Story of Noah’s Ark”, retold by Dorothy L. Sayers and illustrated again by Fritz Wegner. It is another of the Hamish Hamilton calendar card series, published in 1956. Three pages text and one page with the picture with the doors to be opened; they are not numbered. On the back is printed “Printed in England by Harrison & Sons Ltd., London, Hayes & High Wycombe”.
Dimensions: 20 x 29,5cm.

A83 This is “The Days before Christmas” by Fritz Wegner and it is another of the Hamish Hamilton calendar card series, published in the 1950s. Doors numbered from 1 thru 25. The one page text gives a description of the image behind each door.
Published by Hamish Hamilton Ltd, 90 Great Russell St, London W.C.1.; no text on the back.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 20cm.

A84 This is another of the Hamilton calendar card series, “A Christmas Carol”, adapted from the Charles Dickens’ story by R.J. Cruikshank, picture by Fritz Wegner. There are twelve doors, numbered from 1 thru 12, to be opened daily as you follow the story and the last one, no. 12, should be opened on Christmas Day.
Published by Hamish Hamilton Ltd., 90 Great Russell Street London W.C.I. On the back is printed “Printed in England by Harrison & Sons Ltd., London, Hayes & High Wycombe". Published in the 1950s, but cannot find exact date.
Dimensions:29,3 x 19,5cm.

A86 “The Story of Adam and Christ” is another of the Hamish Hamilton Christmas cards series; it is not a Christmas calendar with doors to be opened, but there are 27 verses corresponding to 27 numbered panels:

The verses are written by Dorothy L. Sayers, the window by Fritz Wegner, published by Hamish Hamilton Ltd 90 Great Russel Street London W.C.I; on the back is printed “Printed in England by Harrison & Sons Ltd., London, Hayes & High Wycombe.
Published in 1955.
Dimensions: width 3 x 19,6cm and 29,3cm high.

A87 Advent calendar of a town on Christmas Eve, recognizing the star above a stable, designed by illustrator Gudrun Keussen. In German it is called “Das Weihnachtsstädlein”, for which I cannot find the exact  translation. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24; behind door no. 6 is a St. Nicholas.
On the back is printed “Nr.540 . © 1956 by Verlag Ars sacra Joseph Mueller, Munich (Germany)”. It seems this was Keussen's first advent calendar, published for the first time in 1954, and was re-issued several times, ref. Esther Gajek’s Adventskalender, pg. 92-93. Peculiarity is that the calendar portrayed in this book has the text printed in the front margin, bottom right corner, while this calendar has it printed on the back. Another calendar by Gudrun Keussen in this collection, A60, is not as old, certainly when comparing paper and cardboard quality, size and colors.
Dimensions: 39,2 x 28,6cm.

A92 Advent calendar of Hansel and Gretel in the forest before the ginger bread house and angels. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
In the margin, below left, is printed “40 AFKH”; the number “40” is repeated on the back.
Dimensions: 28 x 20cm.

AFKH: The following information is available on the internet, but I cannot vouch for its correctness:
a) Arthur F. Krüger Verlag, Hamburg (later Intana / Venezuela.
Approximately 1913-1983? produced Advent calendars and greeting cards, from 1949 also glossy pictures (die cut scraps).
The company Krüger has not been around for some years.
Under "AFKH" usually double arches 21x 29 cm (i.e. 2x 21x15) glossy images were produced.
Later, as "Krüger" as far as known only the small arches 21x15 (A5)b).
b) Firm in Hamburg from 1920-1970; then they moved to Venezuela.

Several other Kruger advent calendars in this collection, a.o. A22 and 23, 64, ...

A93 Advent calendar manger scene with all the standard personalities. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Below left is the monogram „WA“ or „AW“ and in the margin is printed „Günther-Kalender”, while on the left “15  Made in Germany”.
I have  not been able to find any information about publisher or artist.
Dimensions: 31 x 22cm.

A94 The Advent calendar called “Christkindleins Haus”. This is the version that can be filled with chocolates. Design is by Dora Baum and in the advent calendar catalog of Reichhold & Lang München of 1938 it is shown under “Nr. 966 zum Füllen” (for filling). Doors numbered from 6 thru 24, and therefore also called a “Nikolaus-Kalender”; behind the first door, no. 6, there is St. Nicholas. See A7 for a variation in graphics, smaller size and no filling.
The envelope shows the picture behind door 24 and says “Münchener Weihnachtskalender Nikolauskalender/Adventskalender  Christindleins Haus”, followed by instructions in verse.
Dimensions: 24,5 x 32cm.

Other editions:
Nr. 366 : small version for filling
Nr. 955 : 24 x 27cm.
Nr. 355 : 16,5 x 24cm.
Nr. 355 : 16,3 x 23,6cm (A7, variation graphics)
Reprint early 1990s: 25 x 30/33cm.

A95 Advent calendar where the image is drawn in Santa’s beard, which rather amusing. There are fairy tales, an advent wreath and “lebkuchen” hanging from the ceiling. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Illustrator is Rudolph Hanitzsch, signature below left corner, published by “KORSCH VERLAG Gilching vor München” and in the right hand corner “Made in West-Germany  10434”. It is not very old, more to the end of the West-German period I think, 1949-1990).
Dimensions:28,2 x 29,57cm.

A96 Advent calendar showing fairy tales. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. It is highlighted with glitter. Designed by the illustrator Kurt Brandes, signature in full below left.
Also “Made in Germany” and on the right “411”. No publisher’s name.
Dimensions: 30 x 28,5cm.

Other advent calendars in this collection by this artist, signed with monogram: A53 – A54 – A74.

A98 Advent calendar with Santa carrying a bag over his shoulder, angels and dwarfs with large tree, laden with snow. Below left is a monogram “WM” or “MW”; no publisher’s name or reference.
Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Dimensions: 20,7 x 29,8cm.

A99 Advent calendar included in the children’s booklet “Die Bunte Kiste” published 1950 by Jos. Scholz-Mainz Verlag. The two center pages are to be carefully removed by taking out the staples; the pages are to be held together, for instance with paperclips; the top and right side of the windows to be cut so that the left side can be folded open. The doors are numbered, starting at the bottom row, from December 6, St. Nicholas day, thru December 24.
The title page is designed by Else Wenz-Vietor and the back page by Charlotte Baron-Raabe, the advent calendar by Fritz Westenberger and the verses by Karin von Merhart.

A100 Tear-off Advent calendar consisting of a block of 24 sheets and a cardboard panel, on which 16 encircled numbers have been printed. A free translation of the instructions on the back of the cover sheet :

1. Cut out the figure of the daily calendar sheets (without stars and other additions) very carefully with a scissors and smear the back with paste or glue.
2. On the large calendar cardboard you will find for each day the place marked where the cut-out figure should go, and stick it there.
3. When you have done the series of December 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24, you will have a wonderful and colorful Advents picture, that will certainly give you much pleasure.

Below right is the illustrator's signature, Erika Henkel; according to information it was published by the Ratsdruckerei Chemnitz in 1948, ref. information shown on the website of the Toyshow Ausstellung Adventskalender.
Dimensions: 31 x 34cm; calendar block 6,7 x 9,7cm.
The picture on the right shows a completed version, made with copies of the calendar sheets.

A101 Advent calendar of people listening to “Kurrende Singers”: this comes from an old tradition in Germany when children, students or choristers, from poor families went from home to home in their district singing hyms. They were always boys and were given a few coins. They were called Kurrende Singers. It seems it goes back to the Reformation (17th c.). The word would come from the Latin “currere”, meaning walking or going. They were dressed, and still are, in black capes and flat black hats.
Presently the custom has not disappeared, boys are no longer specifically from poor families and girls are also participating. A boy’s choir that maintains this tradition today is the Wuppertaler Kurrende, but they are not the only ones.

A102 Advent Calendar of angels going up a ladder to heaven, in Germany called "Himmelstore" or "Engelsleider". Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Very attractive graphics by illustrator Marigard Bantzer, as stated:

Text reads: "Weihnachtskalender von Marigard Bantzer + Verlag Dürer-Haus Marburg/L." In the right corner is also the ref. "No. 400".
Dimensions: 27 x 33,5cm.

Sunday School books with Advent calendars and Advent stories for young children in The Netherlands (Zondagschoolboekjes)
Part of the Christmas celebration in Sunday schools and churches was the presenting of Sunday School books to the (younger) youth. A tradition that was born around 1850 and still being practiced.
Many have been published, and there was also a series “25 (or 24) advent stories for young children”, published by Van Gorcum & Comp. N.V. – Dr. .J. Prakke & H.M.G. Prakke, Assen (The Netherlands). Author is Jacoba (Coos) Covens and sometimes co-author Dora van der Meiden-Coolsma.
Together with the book an advent calendar was printed and when opening door no. 1 it was the intention to read the first story, dated December 1, in the book, the last story being on December 25.

A105 Advent calendar with the corresponding book with 25 advent stories "Op weg naar het Kindeke" (on the way to the Born Child) from The Netherlands, children of different origin bringing presents to the new born child.
Below right is the signature of the designer, Lies Veenhoven.
Below is printed in Dutch, translated: Netherlands’ Advent Calendar 3. Composed and designed by Coos Covens and Lies Veenhoven. With notification, translated: “On the way to the Born Child”, 25 Advent stories by Coos Covens. In cooperation with the NVVZ published by the Koninklijke Van Gorcum & Comp. N.V. (G.A. Hak & Dr. H.J. Prakke) – Assen.
Published in 1953.
Dimensions of the advent calendar: 24,5 x 32,5cm
NVVZ : Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Vrijzinnige Zondagsscholen (Netherlands' Association for Liberal Sunday Schools).

A106 This is the book that goes with Advent calendar no. 4.
It is titled “Ga je mee naar Bethlehem ?” (Are you coming to Bethlehem ?), 25 Advent stories for young children, by Coos Covens; cover and illustrations by Lies Veenhoven; these Advent stories link to the Dutch Advent calendar no. 4. Series “Naar ‘t Zonlicht toe” No. 50, Van Gorcum & Comp. N.V. – G.A. Hak & Dr. H.J. Prakke,  Assen – MCMLV (1955)

A108 This is the book that goes with Advent calendar  no. 6. It is titled “Zij verwachtten Hem” (They expected Him), 24 Advent stories by Coos Covens and Dora van der Meiden-Coolsma, illustrations by Corrie van der Baan; these stories link to the Netherlands' Advent calendar no. 6, “Naar ‘t Zonlicht toe” No. 75, Van Gorcum & Comp. N.V. – Dr. .J. Prakke & H.M.G. Prakke, Assen – MCMLXI (1961).

A109 Religious Advent calendar “The other Wise Man”, adapted from the story by Henry Van Dyke, published by Hallmark.
Text left and right from the centre top panel :

“What happened to the wise man
Who never found the Child,
Who never knelt beside the crib
To praise the Babe so mild ?
T’was Artaban the Magi
Who searched with eager heart
In hopes that he would find the Christ
And thus, his gift impart."

Doors numbered from 1 thru 24; behind the doors is text, telling the story of Artaban (I think). On the back are the instructions:
“The Other Wise Man
Beginning with number 1, look beneath a different picture each day until, on Christmas Eve, you come to the inspiring words the Lord spoke to the other wise man."
At the bottom there is the Hallmark logo and the ref.:
“100XC 2 -9 COPYRIGHT HALLMARK CARDS, INC.”
As “Hall Brothers” became “Hallmark” in 1954, this calendar is published after this date.

Dimensions: total 64,5 x 30,5cm high; each panel 21,5cm wide.

A110 Religious Advent calendar in the same series as the previous one, also published by Hallmark, with text in the banner:
“The Story of the First Christmas
Do you wish you’d been in Bethlehem
When Christ, our Lord was born?
Or that you’d been a wise man
Bearing gifts on Christmas morn?
Well, perhaps you can imagine,
As you see this map each day,
That you’ve really seen the manger
Where the baby Jesus lay!”.

Doors numbered from 1 thru 24, and again there is text behind them. On the back also the instructions:
“The Story of The First Christmas
Beginning with Number 1 on December 1st, and Number 2 on December 2nd, look beneath another picture each day until on Christmas Eve you come to Bethlehem and the scene of the Christ Child’s birth.”
Also the Hallmark logo, but as ref.: “1 00 XC 2 2  COPYRIGHT HALL BROTHERS INC.”
As “Hall Brothers” became “Hallmark” in 1954, this calendar is published pre this date.

A111  “Advents-Fensterlein mit dem Weihnachtsspiel”, angels all going to a more or less gingerbread house. Below right there is the artist’s name, “Martha Wessels” and “Aladdin-Kinderfrueden” (children’s joy) and on the right “Rückseite abtrennen. Dann habt Ihr ein feines Weihnachtsspiel” (Remove the back. Then you will have a nice Christmas game), but what game is not mentioned and I do not want to remove the sheet.
Help! needed here please.
On the back sheet there is the publisher’s information “Hasenclever-Verlag GmbH., Düsseldorf 1948 – Aladdin-Kinderfreuden -  Gen. WiM-NRW – BIIIa-17-25 Nr. 1657 v. 15.5.48 Drück: W. Crüwell – R. 1. 9. 45, Dortmund – 48/10.000”
Dimensions: 20 x 27cm.

A112 Children, carrying lanterns and food filled baskets, on the way to the Stable. Numbered from 1 thru 24. Signed below right with the monogram “AR”, the artist A. Rebmann ? In the margin the publisher’s/printer’s references: left is printed “G.04. 40 000 Dr. 6946” and on the right “NEUBERT CHEMNITZ Nr.3793”.

It is described in Dominik Wunderlin’s “Advent! Advent!”, page 42, as “Lichterumzug” (light procession) and dated around 1950, but certainly before 1953 because then the name of Chemnitz changed to Karl-Marx-Stadt.
Dimensions: 21 x 29,5cm.

A114  Advent calendar showing the three wise men on their way to the stable. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Design by Ilse Koch, signature below right; publisher’s logo AL (Großvertrieb Berlin Tempelhof ) and ref. “Best.-Nr.4” below left.
Advent calendar no. 57 is by the same artist and publisher.
Dimensions: 19,5 x 27,5cm.

A115 Advent calendar with children admiring Baby Jesus in the stable and angels in the sky; it is highlighted with glitter; doors numbered from 1 thru 24. Design by Margot Ortlieb, Wiesbaden, whose signature is below right, with in the margin”Made in Germany” and “pmb” (Paul Meyer Bremen), while below left the reference “Nr. 6”.
See advent calendar A34 and A119 by the same artist.
Dimensions:  20 x 30cm.

A119 Advent calendar, Christmas tree and angels, doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Design by the Margot Ortlieb, Wiesbaden, whose signature is below right, with in the margin “Printed in Germany” and on the left logo “m” means Michel Kunstverlag, Nürnberg and the number “67”.
The calendar came with its original cellophane sleeve and included a leaflet with instructions how to use the calendar, also mentioning that  it was “Printed exclusively for Alfred Mainzer, Inc. Long Island City New York”.  Does this mean that the calendar was exclusively printed for the US ?
Advent calendars A34 and A115 are by the same artist.
Dimensions: 21 x 29,5cm.

A120 Advent calendar “Im Märchenland zur Weihnachtszeit” (In Fairyland for Christmas). Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.
Publisher’s reference “KWU Dresden Ratsdruckerei  D 03 1996 849 50.0” and in top right corner is “A. Jahn Dresden”, probably the illustrator, but I have no information on him/her.
The KWU existed from 1945 till 1951.
Dimensions: 30,5 x 32cm

A122 Advent calendar “Weihnachts-Uhr für Kinder” (Christmas hour for children) in the form of a clock with a dial and 24 biblical verses, published by the St. Johannis- Druckerei Dinglingen, Lahr (still active today), in 1922.
Dimensions: 22.5 x 29,5cm.

A124 Advent calendar called “Pfefferkuchenhaus” (gingerbread house), design by Marianne Drechsel. It has 24 doors to be opened, numbered 1 thru 24, but there is no picture behind it, but a cavity that could be filled with sweets or small toys.
Below left the printer’s or publisher’s reference: “III/18/194-Ka1803/57”.
Dimensions: 31,8 x 31,5cm.

A125 Advent calendar “Die Heilige Drei Könige” (The three Wise Men), enhanced with glitter. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24.  In the bottom margin is “895 400”, probably printer’s or publisher’s  reference and “Für die kleinen Freunde der Raiffeisenbank” (for the young friends of the Raiffeisenbank).
Design by the artist Gudrun Keussen and first published by the Adolf Korsch Verlag under no. 387, in Munchen in 1953.
According to information given by Korsch Verlag, this edition however was printed for the Raifeisenbank in 1976 and also in 1983.
Dimensions: 29,5 x 21 cm.

A127 Advent calendar “Fröhliche Weihnacht” (Merry Christmas), attractive design with angels and clouds, and woolly babyface-lams falling to earth like snow. Doors to be opened, numbered from 1 thru 24.
Printed on rather thin paper.
At the bottom is either the printer’s or publisher’s reference “038 KÜLPER, ERFURT 16988” and the signature  “LG” or “BG” or "L Oj" ?
Help! needed here please.

Dimensions: 26cm x 34cm.

: Signature of L. Grewen (?)

: Printer or Publisher's ref.

A128 Advent calendar “Santa Pilot” because of the “Rosinenbomber”, being the so-called “candy bomber” or “raisin bomber”, used by the western allies to bring in supplies to the western part of Berlin during the Berlin blockade in 1948/49.
There are 24 doors, numbered from 1 thru 24.
In the left bottom corner is “Di”, the signature of the illustrator Lieselotte Fabig – Distling, and in the margin, in light blue, “Printed in U.S. Zone Germany”  and on the right “117”, probably the publisher’s/printer’s reference. Published by Albrecht & Meister AG (AMAG) in 1952-1953 (ref. T. Peschel, pg. 79).

A129 Advent calendar, called “Ihr Kinderlein kommet” (Come ye little children). This is another one of Advent /Nicolaus calendars published by Reichhold & Lang in 1925.  It has the ref. “R.L.M. 805”, printed in blue, on the front cover. I think that originally the front cover had the text "ADVENTS-KALENDER" printed in red at the top of the front cover, but, judging by the red line marking at the top of the front/back, was cut off. Considering two small pin holes the tear-off calendar with 20 sheets was attached to the front cover and has been carefully removed. The pictures had to be cut out and glued in the oval panels. Each day has a Christmas song, title of which is repeated in the banner underneath the panel. Drawings are by Felix Elssner.
According to R&L’s 1938 Advent calendar catalog it was still available then, together with two others:
- no. 802 :  tear-off calendar
- no. 803 :  sticker album (with text instead of music).
(ref. Weihnachtszeit)
Dimensions closed: 23,5 x 29,7cm.

A130 Advent calendar “Die Christrose” (Christmas rose) in album format. It was sold with a tear-off bloc and each day, starting December 6, one was glued in the album, ending with December 24, Christmas Eve. Published by Reichhold & Lang in 1926, ref. “R.& L.M. 703”.
The story is about  Fritz and Gretl’s journey in search for the Christmas rose. Their father is very ill and can only be cured by the scent of the white Christmas rose from King Winter.
Author is Sepp Bauer and drawings are by Else Wenz-Viëtor (1882-1973), a very well known German illustrator in the 1920-30s.
Dimensions closed: 18,7 x 27cm.
Die Christrose was published in different versions (ref. D. Wunderlin and E. Gajek):
- no. 702 : tear-off bloc
- no. 703 : its sticker album
- no. 202 : small version tear-off bloc
- no. 203 : its sticker album
- no. 234 : small version, cheap edition, no album
- no. 566 : with tear-off bloc and filling, 20 pieces of chocolate, 16 x 8,5cm, no album.
Except no. 566, they are all still mentioned in R&L’s 1938 catalog.
On this one I can still see the pencil imprint of a name and the date “1928”.

A131 Advent calendar, angels and stars at lebkucken door. Doors numbered from 1 thru 24, with behind this large door, Jezus in the crib and Holy Mother Mary. Design is attractive, but printing is poor.
No indication of publisher, nor of designer, but I think it is of the 1950s.
Dimensions: 28 x 20,5cm.