DAF / Kraft durch Freude “Deutsche Gemeinschaftstänze” 78 RPM Record – Telefunken T 70195

An interesting and seldom encountered period Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF) / N.S.-Gemeinschaft “Kraft durch Freude” (KdF) 78 RPM shellac record, produced as part of the “Deutsche Gemeinschaftstänze” series.
The distinctive cream and red labels feature the prominent DAF cogwheel emblem together with the inscription “Die Deutsche Arbeitsfront – N.S. Gemeinschaft ‘Kraft durch Freude’”. These records were specially produced for organized cultural and recreational activities associated with the Kraft durch Freude organization and differ considerably from ordinary commercial Telefunken releases.
This example carries catalogue number T 70195 and contains:
“Gretele, willst tanzen?” – Rheinländer – BIEM 51650
Composer: Karl Marx
“Die Kirschen sind zeitig” – Walzer – BIEM 51651
Composer: Karl Marx
Both recordings were performed by the Orchestra of the Deutsches Opernhaus, Berlin, together with mixed choir, under the direction of Carl Hannemann.

Particularly interesting is the manufacturer's inscription around the lower edge of both labels:
“Hergestellt von der Telefunkenplatte G.m.b.H. Abt. Spezialaufnahmen Berlin”
The reference to Telefunken's “Abteilung Spezialaufnahmen” (Special Recordings Department) indicates that this was a special-purpose production rather than a regular commercial Telefunken release.
Both titles are documented in a German archival collection as belonging to the DAF/Kraft durch Freude “Deutsche Gemeinschaftstänze” series. The series dates from the late 1930s and was intended for organized communal dance and cultural activities.
The record remains in very nice condition for its age, with both characteristic DAF/KdF labels well preserved and displaying strong and clearly legible printing. The record also retains the impressed “Made in Germany” marking.
An attractive and increasingly difficult-to-find piece of period DAF/Kraft durch Freude material, combining the history of the KdF organization with German dance music and the specialist recording activities of Telefunken during the late 1930s.