39.00 USD
Priceless image! Not a postcard. This is a backed photograph (approx. 3 and 1/2 by 4 and 3/4 inches) of two lieutenants (perhaps brothers or cousins) in the Austro-Hungarian infantry, posing with wives, girlfriends, or, because of a marked resemblance, quite possibly sisters.
There is a fair amount of writing on the back of this photo, but all we can really make out is that the two young men are the Lieutenants (plural) Schmidt (hence the brothers, or cousins, idea), in an infantry regiment, and followed by the numerals "99."
If you look closely, you'll notice that the couple on the left are wearing two different uniform tops (perhaps "dress" and "fatigues"), while the couple on the right have those tops switched. Also, toward the bottom edge of the photo you can glimpse some pleated skirt, indicating that the women didn't change into the uniform pants :)
All four are using cigarettes as props in this image. By appearance alone, the photo is almost certainly from the pre-WWI era. The "99" on the back might well be the date of the photograph, but we have no way of knowing.
What image research we were able to do online suggested that the uniform hats in our image have higher crowns than those of headgear worn by Austro-Hungarian infantry during WWI, and are probably from late 19th century, but unless you are an expert (and we are so very far from that), the peculiarities of military uniforms from country to country, year to year, are mind-boggling. Even within one country's army infantry, the number of different units, and consequent variations in uniform, requires expert knowledge to untangle.
For example, just about everyone associates an ornamental spike on a helmet with early 20th century German military dress, and that is a reasonable association, particularly given the ubiquitous images of spiked helmets in the anti-German propaganda art so prevalent during WWI. But, very few here in the USA would associate that spiked helmet with the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. And yet, for a time, the USMC did in fact sport spiked helmets!
These things happen because designers of military uniforms would (and almost certainly still do) borrow details from the uniforms of successful foreign military units, sometimes for reasons having more to do with military "fashion," or "trend," than actual practicality in the field.
A wonderful photograph, historically fascinating, with great resolution, and a mood that is both humorous, and poignant. Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for fully insured, first class, shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
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!