First World War postcards

[Eduardo]

Great photo postcards Ksg. Thanks for sharing them.

If you can read "postcard" German maybe you could try reading a card with four soldiers that I have placed above and give me a hand. The reverse with the text is in the German uniforms etc. section.

Have a Merry Christmas

Eduardo

Edited December 23, 2006 by Eduardo

[ksg]

Great photo postcards Ksg. Thanks for sharing them.

If you can read "postcard" German maybe you could try reading a card with four soldiers that I have placed above and give me a hand. The reverse with the text is in the German uniforms etc. section.

Have a Merry Christmas

Eduardo

Hi Eduardo

I will try to do so during the holiday, There are some writings on the back. Will get back to you.

A Merry Christmas to you to !

Best,

Kjell

[Eduardo]

These two new cards were Santa's Christmas present for my collection. The first one shows a very dramatic view of the last fugitives leaving Ypres. The card was printed in Paris by: Imp. Phot. Neurdein et Cie.

Edited December 29, 2006 by Eduardo

[Eduardo]

And this one is a view of the trenches near Rems. The card was printed in Paris by E. Le Deley.

To all a Happy New Year in which we can keep enjoying this great forum.

Eduardo

[Eduardo]

Just received this view of Baccarat with the statue of the Fall. The card was printed by " Clich? Antoine" or at least the clich? was made by Antoine. There are no other references.

[Eduardo]

This view of the "Passerelle" walking bridge over the Sambre in Namur, has a dificult to read preasure seal with a monogram and the word "Paris" at the left .

[Eduardo]

This last postcard of today is very special. Not only a dramatic card showing the destruction of the Halles of Nieuport in Belgium printed by "Imp. E Le Deley, Paris". but a delicious text written by "Emile" to his parents and dated 21 march 1916, in which he thanks them for the raisins and sausages which improve his diet.

"We have dinner at very variable hours, and it is a re-heated dinner which is no great pleasure. Today I had an excelent dinner with half of the sausage.... I have kept the rest for my night guard that is from mid night to 7 hours."

Edited January 5, 2007 by Eduardo

[Chris Boonzaier]

Keep them coming, these are fantastic...

[Hauptmann]

Hi all,

I'd like to second the motion! As I've said before these are simply fantastic. So much history... so many faces and places that otherwise might be long forgotten were it not for fantastic collections like these. You are literally preserving what was for those who have not yet been born and I know they will thank you as we do.

Dan

[Eduardo]

Thanks Chris and Dan,

As a historian I am well aware that almost anything can be a source for history. The postcards combine the photograph which is a view frozen in a given moment; the message, informative and with a fresh insight in some cases like in the last one by Emile; and all the political intentions for printing them. I will continue posting the cards as I get them.

Eduardo

[Eduardo]

Hello, I have some new postcards to add. The first one is one printed by G.D & D., London under the name of: "The Star Series" Although posted on December 27, 1908, this full body picture of General John D.P. French, 1sr Earl of Ypres wearing a beautifull uniform and all his decorations is a very special photograph even if it not in a very good condition.

[Eduardo]

This card was printed and issued in Paris. by Phototipie Baubibt.....? as the next two. The picture was made at Margival and belongs to the Battle of Chemin des Dames. I had never seen a machine like this one. It sais: French piece that destroys the "Bertha". Maybe someone can explain more.

[Eduardo]

Two views of the destruction at Coucy-le-Chateau issued in Paris by the same printer as the previous one. The first one shows the ruins of the tower blown by the "boches" in their retreat on March 1917. and the second one what was left of the market place.

Edited February 8, 2007 by Eduardo

[Eduardo]

The last card I will post tonight is a view that I find awesome. The ruins of the church square at Loos-en Ghelle with a broken wagon that is in itself a representation of the desolation of war. The card was printed by "Visa, Paris".

[Kev in Deva]

This card was printed and issued in Paris. by Phototipie Baubibt.....? as the next two. The picture was made at Margival and belongs to the Battle of Chemin des Dames. I had never seen a machine like this one. It sais: French piece that destroys the "Bertha". Maybe someone can explain more.

Hallo Eduardo,

Great Cards as usual, the Bertha probably refers to "Big Bertha" one of a number of long-range artillery pieces the Germans used to lob shells into Paris, this looks like the body of the gun, the barrel being blown off, the guns were mounted on railway waggons.

Kevin.

[Eduardo]

Thanks Kevin. Yes I understand it refers to the "Big Bertha" cannons which were monted in railroad wagons. What gets me is the french inscription "Piece francaise qui detruisit les Bertha". I will post this card in the weapons section to find out if it is a Big Bertha with its barrel blown off or something else.

Eduardo

Edited February 8, 2007 by Eduardo

[Eduardo]

Today I will post three views of Belgium. The first one of Ethe, in the south, and the other two of the Halles of Ypres after its destruction.

The "Panorama" after the battle of Ethe, was printed by "Verlag W Capus, Luxemburg-Bahnhof, after a photografh made by N.chumacher. numbered: Mr.49.

[Eduardo]

And here a view of the Halles of Ypres after the bombs made by "Photo Express" and printed by Imp. Baudiniere, Nanterre.

[Eduardo]

Another view of the Halls of Ypres. Very similar to the previous one. This one issued by: Imp. R. Pruvost. 159 r. Montmartre. Paris.

[Eduardo]

I am posting now a postcard which I doubted if I should include it into my collection. For one thing because it is dated before the war, 22. XI. 1913, and because nothing about the war can be seen. Nevertheless if heads or state and other political actors of the war are included, the Reichstag "Plenar Saal" I believe fits properly. Even if it was taken a few months before the war.

This card, issued by "Kunstverlag J. Goldiner, Berlin." was send by a Peruvian tourist Mr. Jos? Barrios to his brother Jorge L. Barrios in Lima, Peru.

[Eduardo]

A complete 75mm Battery taking it's position. Printed by: R.P. Paris N? 102

[Eduardo]

The ruins of l'Epine, near Chalons, beins searched by french officers. Editor: L.G. Par?s.

Send on 16th October 1917 by R.I.C.T V? 80. Marcel Pothier.

[Eduardo]

Ruins of Sermaize. Edit. Pays de France N? 108. Imp. de Vaugirard. H.L. Motti. Imp Roman, Paris.

[Eduardo]

Group of prisioners at a stop. . Send by Raymond Suire. R.E.C.P. 2 S 94. S.C.P.I. 209. At the stap's seal I can read 2. 10. but not the year.

[Eduardo]

This card shows a Sugar Mill at Laffaux. The card was isued by Imp. Levy Fil et Cie. Paris and is numberesd 613. As can be read in the front, it was the "Red Bridge Sugar Mill"-