Summary
Postcard in German, written on Christmas Day, 1916, during World War I. The front features a photographic portrait of a girl and woman, with wishes printed in German and four-leaf clover inscribed with the flags of Germany's allies - Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Germany - with the fourth leaf showing the German State Crown. It is hand-written on reverse in German (Suetterlin). The sender, Res. R. Wittler, was hospitalised at the military hospital no. 14. He writes wishing the 'gentlemen of the [?].W.W., especially Messrs. Lindner + Berkefeld, a very happy New Year'. He is 'hopeful that the year 1917 will bring us the long-awaited peace'.
During World War I around 11 billion letters or postcards were sent from the front free of charge through the German Army Postal Service. Millions more letters were sent to the front by families and friends at home. From 29 April 1916 onwards postal service stations were set up at every army command station in order to monitor the content of the mail and to create reports on the content. The transmission of classified military or rebellious and discouraging information was prohibited.
It is not known how this particular item came to be in Australia.
Physical Description
Coloured postcard with black and white portrait of a girl and woman. The background of the postcard is green. The oval portrait of the woman and child is framed with a bow in the colours of the German imperial flag. The wishes are bordered with four-leaf clovers in green and yellow. Underneath the inscription is a big four-leaf clover. Three leafs depict a flag of Germany's allies - Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Germany - the fourth leaf shows the German State Crown. The postcard shows some wear.
Significance
This coloured postcard with black and white portrait of a girl and woman is an invaluable record for greeting cards during the First World War. It is part of a postcard series. Through its iconography it depicts themes like everyday life during war, allied forces and family life.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Date Written
Germany, 25 Dec 1916
Apparent date written -
Inscriptions
Front: Glück- und Segenswünsche zum Jahreswechsel. Translation: Felicitatin and blessings to the turn of the year. Back: In print: Absender; Postkarte / S. V. D. Serie 6028, 2 Handwritten text in Suetterlin: [???]. Res. R. Wittler den 25.XII.16 / Kriegsla_er elf [??] XIV [??]. Insp. d.l.t / 'Wünsche den Herren des [?].W.W. / insbesonderen Herrn Lindner + Berkefeld / ein recht frohes Neues Jahr. Hoffend, / daß das Jahr 1917 uns den langersehnten / Frieden bringt verbl. ich den besten / Grüßen Hr. R Wittler' Translation: '[???]. Res. R. Wittler / the 25.XII.16 (ie, July) / Army** camp eleven [??] XIV [??]. Insp. d.l.t / Wishing the gentlemen of the [?].W.W. / especially Messrs. Lindner + Berkefeld / a very happy New Year. Hopeful / that the year 1917 will bring us the / long-awaited peace, I remain, [with] best / wishes, Mr. R. Wittler'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
140 mm (Width), 91 mm (Height)
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References
Information on World War I German postal service from German History in Documents and Images (GHDI) web site [Link 1] accessed 9/2012. Translation undertaken by Museum Victoria volunteer Kate Davison in March 2014.
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