Bill,
That's one heck of a nice plate! I think the reason given is a great explanation. But I just wanted to add that "the red rooster on a roof", refers to arson and pillaging. In the Norse sagas, we find one of the first references to the "red rooster" as a fire bird and Edda as the "black red rooster" which was the bird of the underworld. Also, the rooster crows at the break of every new dawn which symbolizes vigilance and victory, reasons why we see them on houses and barns. This dual symbolism of the red roaster embodies this theme of fire and protection.
A Jahresschau yes, but it was the first for the Deutsche Volkschau fur feurschutz und Rettungswesen, which was an exhibit held from June to September 1935 in Dresden and today is known as The Red Rooster, Interschutz. These shows continue to this day. The main theme of this exhibition in 1935 was " large fires in the community", so a contest was held to name this exhibition and come up with a logo. The prize winner was to receive 100 Reichsmarks and the individual who won this contest was Dresdener painter and graphic artist Helmut Müller-Molo who also designed the official advertising poster which is the same one shown on this fine plate.
The exhibits among other things included fire protection, fire extinguishing systems, rescue services, fire alarms, communications, water supply, emergency services, air protection and insurance. And among the exhibits, there was a special section for history and art which included the development of fire fighting equipment, paintings,engravings and photographs of fire disasters from around the world. They had some really old equipment that was shown. There's much more history but wanted to keep it as short as possible. Thanks.
