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29.00 USD
No photographer or model attribution on this very interesting old German postcard. This could almost be an RPPC (though nude RPPCs of this era are very uncommon), except that there is a 4/6 (presumably meaning 4 of 6) printed on the front side of the card, probably indicating that this image is one of a series of six, and so more likely to have been commercially published.
As a nude (arguably semi-nude), it's a lot of fun. The model is in a wonderfully veiled, evocative, and dated, pose, but the thing that really intrigues us is the text "Postkarte" on the reverse side in a very bold Fraktur typeface.
Germany, being the center of postcard production during the early 1900s, mostly produced cards for export as well as for sale within the borders of the German Empire, but this typeface, and the lack of any foreign words for postcard, like "Carte Postale," for example, pretty much precludes the idea of intended export.
The Fraktur typeface goes back a few hundred years in origin, but in modern times was almost exclusively used in Germany. In the 19th century, it became, somewhat controversially, one that many Germans identified with culturally. As a result, the more standard throughout the rest of Europe,"Latin" typeface, was considered by some, to be "un-German." Later, in the 1910s, the argument came to a head, with different factions attempting to force legislation on the issue. In fact, the famous German military commander, Otto von Bismark, refused to read any books that were not printed in Fraktur (Thanks as always, Wikipedia :).
Our card looks to be from around 1910, but we're thinking maybe from the mid-1910s, during WWI, with the bold Fraktur printing of the word Postkarte expressing for the printer, Germany's independence from (the economically important) foreign export market.
Fraktur was also promoted heavily by the early Nazi regime in the 1930s, before (in an abrupt policy reversal), being later abolished by them in 1941, which pretty much spelled the end of its widespread use in Germany, but we believe this card clearly predates the 1930s, and believe the mid-1910s more likely.
A lovely card in so many ways, in very nice unposted condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!
