A US Military stein from Bitburg AFB, Germany, 1953-56

November 2003

These photographs of her father's stein were sent by Rhonda Dohna.

The central scene on the stein names the unit as the 2nd Air Postal Squadron, and shows a cigar-smoking buzzard riding a magic carpet to deliver a parcel. The base contains the typical nude lithophane of this era, while the side scenes show the civic arms of the Rheinland-Pfalz and the city of Bitburg.

These steins are often referred to as GI Steins or American Cold War Steins. The designs are quite varied and personalized, and the humorous decorative themes, as on this stein, are sought after.