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Original WW1 German postcard collection consisting of 55 authentic Feldpost mailed sweetheart / romantic theme postcards, all tied together by the Thiemann family correspondence. This is a fantastic, cohesive archive grouping with strong collector appeal due to the consistent sender/recipient and wartime usage.
These postcards were mailed during the height of the war, dated 1916–1917, and provide a personal glimpse into relationships and communication between a German sailor and his loved ones.
Historical Details:
- Majority addressed to Matrose Josef Thiemann
- Unit references include:
II. Matrosen Division, VI Kompanie - Primary location:
Wilhelmshaven (Kaiserliche Marine base) - Many cancellations from Cöln (Köln) and other German postal hubs
- All are genuine Feldpost correspondence from WW1
This grouping represents naval personnel correspondence, making it especially desirable compared to more common army feldpost.
Breakdown of the Cards:
- Total: 55 postcards
- 100% Feldpost mailed examples
- Dates range: 1916–1917
- All connected to the Thiemann family (tight archive group)
Themes include:
- Romantic couples / “sweetheart” scenes
- Courtship & love imagery
- Dramatic staged scenes (titled series such as:
Geständnis, Zur Liebe erwacht, Schäferspiel, etc.) - Women in period dress / fashion postcards
- Pastoral and countryside romantic settings
- A few photographic-style studio cards
Series & Notable Groups:
- Multiple cards from the same numbered romantic series (matching artwork & titles)
- Matching publisher sets (great for collectors trying to complete series)
- Goethe quote cards and poetic theme postcards
- Consistent early 1900s German lithographic printing styles
Feldpost / Postal Features:
- Clear fieldpost cancellations and markings
- Period handwriting throughout
- Military mail routing typical of WW1 Germany
- Some cards show censoring, unit markings, and transit stamps
- Strong variety of ink types, handwriting styles, and postal strikes
Condition:
- Overall good vintage condition for age (100+ years old)
- Some corner wear, edge wear, light creasing, and toning
- A few heavier used examples as expected from wartime mail
- No major damage affecting display value
See photos for condition.
Collector Value:
This is a ready-made collection ideal for:
- WW1 Feldpost collectors
- German Imperial military collectors
- Postal history enthusiasts
- Thematic collectors (romance / love / couples)
- Dealers looking to break down for individual resale
The fact that this is a named, family-connected grouping significantly increases desirability compared to random mixed lots.
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(PB series)
