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WWII Japanese Occupation Propaganda Matchbox Labels x9 Dutch East Indies Indonesia Hisshō Collection.
Offered here is a fascinating group of 9 original WWII-era Japanese Occupation propaganda matchbox labels produced for circulation in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), circa 1942–1945.
These labels form part of the “Himpoenlah Kertas Api-Api” collector series and are printed in both Malay/Indonesian and Japanese, featuring powerful wartime propaganda imagery and slogans.
Text & Slogans present across the group:
-必勝 (Hisshō — Certain Victory)
-日軍必勝 (Japanese Army — Certain Victory)
-Kekoeatan Asia (Strength of Asia)
-Tentoe Dapat Kemenangan (Certain to Win Victory)
Imagery includes:
-Allied flags (Union Jack, US Stars & Stripes, Chinese Nationalist) being cut and crushed
-Caricatures of Allied leaders (Churchill/Roosevelt)
-Rising Sun motifs, Imperial Japanese warships, aircraft formations
-Japanese soldier dominating Allied figures
Series numbers visible: No. 11, 15, 20, 61, 75, 101, 204, 205 and one partially legible
Condition: Poor to Fair overall — consistent with age. Labels show edge wear, minor tears, and light foxing. Displayed flat and intact. Priced accordingly.
A rare and historically significant phillumeny lot with strong appeal to WWII militaria collectors, Japanese occupation historians, and matchbox label enthusiasts worldwide.
