This notgeld represents the 2nd note of 6-piece set issued by the city of Oldenburg. The set commemorates the German Association for Medical Dogs, then headquartered in Oldenburg. The association with assistance from the German Red Cross, was founded by Dr. Gerhard Stalling.
Dr. Stalling established the first guide dog school in 1916, during the Great War (1914-1918). After noticing his German Shepard assisting one of his patients, a blinded veteran. As veterans with temporary to permanent blindness (often due to poison gas attack), made between 5-8% war injuries. Action was quickly taken to establish more training schools.
Due to the economic hardships of the post-war era, many schools were forced to close. Although despite this , some schools were particularly successful. Making guide dogs available to veterans living in some major cities, such as Oldenburg. Eventually gaining the attention of American dog breeder-philanthropist Dorothy Harrisson-Eutis.
Who first encounter trained guide dogs in 1927, while living in Switzerland. In 1927, she founded The Seeing Way in Morristown, New Jersey. The involvement of Dorothy Harrisson-Eutis provided the movement with the necessary funding and publicly. Thus helping the movement into becoming an international success.
Observe
The observe features an illustration of a guide dog, with a Red Cross symbol on its neck. Above is the title, which reads "German Guide Dog" "For The War Blind". The title is flanked by 2 squares, each identifying the note's "50 Pfennig" value. Notably all notes of the the "German Association for Medical Dogs" set, are valued at 50 Pfennig. Rather than differing denomination, as was common with most notgeld.
Returning back to center art, the guide dog is flanked by 2 silhouette images. The first to the right, depicts a blind man first meeting his guide dog. While second image to the right depicts, the guide dog (in a harness), guiding the man. Who can be seen using the assistance of a cane. Both images use a "tree-like" underprint, as a form of anti-counterfeit measure.
Moving below is text, divided beneath each silhouette image. This outlines the note as being approved by the Bremen Senate Police Commission. In addition to notifying the holder it can be redeemed at the Oldenburg commercial and private bank branch. Generously this note can be redeemed, up to 3 months after recalled.
At the center between the before mentioned text, is a small embellishments for the center art. Below is the note issue date, read as "Oldenburg 1-9-2-1". Further below the footer, references (Dr.) Gerhard Stalling of Oldenburg. Who commissioned the note and founded the association it commemorates. This is unusual, as most notgeld reference the note's artist, at the footer.
Translation
German Guide Dog
For The War Blind
The issue of the note has been approved by the Bremen Senate Police Commission. It can be redeemed at any time by the Oldenburg commercial and private bank branch, (which) knows that it's valid if it's not redeemed three months, after it has been called up in the Bremen newspaper.
Oldenburg 1-9-2-1
Gerhard Stalling, Oldenburg
Reverse
The reverse features an silhouetted illustration of what appears to be a man crossing a road, assisted by a guide dog. The image is framed on 3 sides by bundles of leaves, at the bottom is the title "A Rescuer From Danger".
This image is flanked 2 decorations, which lists note's 50 Pfennig value. Each featuring large number "50", in stylized frames with regal-like embellishments. Each image has a pair of small signs, the upper reads "Fifty", while the lower reads Pfennig (German equivalent of Pence).
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