Hamburg

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HAMBURG

State : Hamburg
Additions : 1937 Altenwerder, Altona (1889 Ottensen), Bergedorf, Bergstedt, Billstedt, Bramfeld, Cranz, Curslack, Duvenstedt, Finkenwerder (partly), Fischbek, Francop, Gut Moor, Harburg-Wilhelmsburg (1927 Harburg, Wilhelmsburg), Hummelsbüttel, Langenhorn, Lemsahl-Mellingstedt, Lohbrügge, Lokstedt, Marmstorf, Neuenfelde, Neugraben, Neuland, Poppenbüttel, Preußisch Kirchwerder, Rahlstedt, Rönneburg, Sasel, Sinstorf, Steilshoop, Wandsbek, Wellingsbüttel

Origin/meaning

Hamburg developed around a small fortress, used by the people as a refuge in the early Middle Ages (6^th-9^th century). In 831 an Archishop of Hamburg was mentioned, in 835 already an Archbishop. It is not quite sure when the village became a city, probably in the early 12^th century.
In 1188 the new-city or Neustadt was founded by Count Adolf of Schauenburg-Holstein. In 1215 the two cities were united under the counts of Holstein, and since 1461 the Kings of Denmark. Although the Kings of Denmark were the official overlords, the city was practically independent.

The oldest known seal dates from 1241, on which is shown a castle made of three towers. The cross on the middle tower as well as the two stars are already present. The middle tower could thus indicate the largest church, the Holy Mary Church. The stars are aslo a common symbol for the St. Mary. All other seals of the city show the castle, the shape, however, differs between the seals. On some smaller 13^th -14^th century seats the castle is standing on a river and the stars are replaced by a half-moon (crescent). The castle also appears on coins minted in the 13^th century.

The seal of Hamburg in 1241	The seal of Hamburg in 1254
The seal of Hamburg in 1309	The seal of Hamburg in 1318
The seal of Hamburg in 1554	The seal of Hamburg in 1743

Seals of Hamburg around 1900

In 1510 the city became an Imperial city, in 1618 a free city (which Denmark did not recognize until 1768). In 1815 Hamburg joined the German Empire, and since 1919 it is one of the states of Germany.

In Napoleonic times the colours were inverted (a red castle on a silver shield), as the addition of a red head with the golden bees (the symbol of a city of the first order) did not fit with a red shield.

Arms of Hamburg during Napoleonic times

The whole arms as they are now were first used officially in 1695 and were officially granted in 1835. The only municipality is Hamburg, after the merger of 33 municipalities in 1937.

The helmet with the the feathers already appeared in the 16^th century and are derived from the counts of Holstein. The lions appeared in the 17^th century.

As far as known the colours have always been a silver castle on a red shield.

The present arms of Hamburg for daily use (middle and small arms)

The great arms (Gaedechens, 1855)

The great arms from around 1900 by Ströhl

The arms on collector's items:

The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms from around +/- 1925
The arms on a British cigarette card, +/- 1906	The arms from around +/- 1920
The arms on a postcard, +/- 1900	The arms from around +/- 1920
The arms on a matchbox label, 1960s	The arms in the Wappen-Sammlung (+/- 1910)
The arms in the Abadie albums	The arms in a 1930s album
The arms in a German album +/- 1910	The arms in a 1936 album

The arms in the city:

The arms on the Elbe-bridge

The arms on a manhole cover

The arms on coins of the city (images from auction sites)

The arms on a coin, 1638	The arms on a coin, 1727
The arms on a coin, 1794	The arms on a coin, 1910

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© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink
Index of the site

Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Gaedechens, 1855