This pictorial map of East and West Prussia was produced in 1937. All of the major towns are pictorially represented on the map, notably with images of signature buildings, while the coat of arms of the towns line the edges of the printwork. The body of water on top of map is named Ostsee which… Continue reading Pictorial map of East and West Prussia
Martin Luther influenced our German Christmas traditions, in both northern and southern Germany. In general, the Christkindl …or Christ-child… always seemed to be the tradition in Catholic southern Germany and the Weihnachtsmann seemed to be the Lutheran tradition in northern Germany. But it was not always so…early in the 16th century there was no Christkindl… Continue reading The Christkindl gift bringer tradition was first introduced by Martin Luther
These Trachten, or folk costumes, represent 10 areas of old Germany... these images were used on a series of postage stamps issued early in the 20th century. East Prussia...or Ostpreussen...was the easternmost part of northern Germany, founded by Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. It was removed from Germany after WWII and is now part… Continue reading Images from the past…10 traditional women’s folk costumes of old Germany
The double-headed eagle symbol of the Holy Roman Empire starting in 1440, while the name change “of the German Nation” was added in 1512. The double headed eagle was introduced in 1440 to emphasize the religious and secular nature of the empire, and it replaced the single headed eagle that was used by the Empire… Continue reading German Eagles…single head 640 years, double-headed 366 years, then single head ever since 1871.
Herbst in Wiesbaden (Autumn in Wiesbaden) Travel Poster, vintage Germany 1930's. The image portrays a fashionable lady of the era, holding a bunch of flowers with seagulls flying overhead, painted in watercolor by the master of advertising art, Ludwig Hohlwein. Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name translates to "meadow… Continue reading Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe
My parents lived in Königsberg and were married there in 1940. The city was the capital of East Prussia in Germany. I remember a photo of them in 1937 in a rowboat on this large castle lagoon, the one pictured here. And stories of how they had dinner in the somewhat spooky Königsberg Castle’s Blutgericht… Continue reading This photo brings back memories of my parents who lived in Königsberg
In Treue Fest…German WWI patriotic farewell card, with the lady professing that she is Firm in Loyalty to her man....a German Flag is prominent on a diagonal...The motto, In Treue Fest, was also used to describe the alliance of Germany and Austria.....It was also the motto of the Bavarians in WWI, whose army proudly wore… Continue reading Firm in Loyalty…WWI motto for men and women
It seems out of character for a German patriot like Wagner to stage such a Germanic Opera in France....even more out of character is that he reworked the opera and added a ballet to suit his Parisian audience. Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg Upon researching this event, I learned that Wagner was in Paris… Continue reading Does it seem odd to you that Richard Wagner premiered his 1861 reworked Tannhäuser Opera in Paris?
This is another painting that needs to be viewed large to be appreciated... Its the year 1875 and the "The Iron Rolling Mill" by Adolph Menzel was a sensation. Shortly after its introduction the painting became known as the " Modern Cyclops", as in the Greek sagas of Vulcans helpers who forged the gods' weapons. … Continue reading The first painting of a factory and working life in German art
A moment in time...one of many that the Marienburg Castle witnessed during its 742 years of existence in northern Europe, from 1274 to 2016. On this occasion in 1902, Kaiser Wilhelm II made the trip to West Prussia to participate in the consecration of Virgin Mary's Church in the Marienburg Castle. His visit also coincided… Continue reading In 1902, Kaiser Wilhelm II made a trip to the Marienburg in West Prussia
