PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1900)

This page was last updated
07-Apr-2022 06:30

These two (possibly more) postcards were almost certainly published in 1900, the same year as the equivalent Germania stamps inscribed "REICHSPOST" that is depicted on the reverse of the cards. These cards do not have pre-printed stamps, and appear to have been published to commemorate the release of the Germania REICHSPOST stamps.

The inscription on the lower left-hand side of the card translates as:

"This picture appears to you quite often this year and always brings news that your heart and mind hope for."

GERMANIA 3Pf

GERMANIA 10Pf

This particular example was cancelled in HAMBURG on 18th May 1900.




On the bottom right-hand side is a line of text that is easy to miss. It says:

"Bitte gegen das Licht zu halten."

'Please hold up to the light'.



Once held up to the light or backlit, the image of Germania has a phosphorescent glow, which is a very cool effect, and is surprisingly bright considering the card is over 120 years old.

Although it isn't clear here due to thin, narrow backlight being used, the entire section of Germania will glow