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Step back into New Year’s 1899 with this charming antique German greeting card featuring the ornate inscription:
“Viel Glück 1899 zum Neuen Jahre!”
Translated, the greeting means approximately “Much Luck in 1899 for the New Year!”
This authentic period piece features a beautifully decorative 1899 date, accented with green four-leaf clovers and ornate purple, black, and gold-tone detailing. The card has an embossed design that can clearly be seen from the reverse, along with attractive scalloped/deckled edges.
The reverse retains period handwritten ink, adding wonderful character and evidence of its history.
A fantastic survivor from the closing years of the 19th century, this would make an excellent addition to a collection of antique postcards, German ephemera, Victorian-era paper collectibles, New Year memorabilia, or historical holiday decorations.
Comparable German New Year cards from 1899 and the early 1900s are documented in postcard archives and collector markets, including embossed examples with traditional good-luck motifs such as clovers.
Approximate Size
5” x 3½”
Please review the ruler photographs for scale and approximate measurements.
Condition Description
Antique / Pre-Owned — approximately 127 years old.
Shows expected age-related wear including toning, scattered discoloration/spotting, minor edge and corner wear, and handling consistent with an antique paper item. Scalloped edges remain visually attractive. Embossed design remains pronounced, and the decorative colors and lettering display nicely.
There is handwriting in ink on the reverse.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the condition description.
Collector Highlights
• Dated 1899
• German New Year greeting
• “Viel Glück” good-luck message
• Ornate embossed design
• Four-leaf clover motifs
• Purple, green, black & gold-tone decoration
• Decorative scalloped edges
• Period handwriting on reverse
• Late-19th-century European ephemera
• Excellent display piece for postcard or holiday collectors
SEO Keywords
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Humorous Description
Forget texting “Happy New Year” at 12:01 a.m.—in 1899, you sent something with embossed lettering, four-leaf clovers, fancy scalloped edges, and enough decorative flourishes to make sure everyone knew you were serious about having a lucky year.
More than a century later, this little card is still delivering good luck. Your smartphone probably won’t manage that.
Tugmon Valley Sales
Welcome to Tugmon Valley Sales, where this treasure seeker enjoys finding unusual pieces of history and giving them another opportunity to be appreciated.
We offer combined shipping whenever practical, gift wrapping is available, and we are always open to reasonable offers.
Antique and vintage items are sold in their existing condition. Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing.
