Herzlichen Weihnachstgruss (heartfelt Christmas greeting) ...an older German style wording for Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas). This image is from a vintage 1917 WWI German Christmas card, depicting a lady joyfully reading a Weihnachstgruss from her soldier away at war. It also reflects the tradition that a Christmas tree always had to be there and when… Continue reading When circumstances were difficult, as in 1917, then even a tiny tree would make Christmas special
This Map of German Language Areas was produced after a 1910 census. It shows German-speaking areas outside of the Reich borders, giving a good picture of where Germans in previous centuries created settlements, either by self-motivation or in many cases by invitation of foreign rulers who valued their skills and industriousness. This is an… Continue reading Why so many people consider themselves German, even though their ancestors lived in other countries, sometimes for hundreds of years.
Bach at age 61, by Elias Hausmann Johann Sebastian Bach personally designed this Monogram, which cleverly consists of his initials JSB, superimposed over their mirror image. He then topped the design with a crown. Bach took the liberty of adding a crown due to his assignments as royal court musician in Leipzig to the Elector… Continue reading Johann Sebastian Bach took the liberty of adding a crown to his Monogram
In February 1906, the Silver Wedding Anniversary of the German Emperor and Empress was turned into a double wedding celebration when they gave their second son, Prince Eitel, permission to be married on the same day. Kaiser Wilhelm and family in 1906, by Ferdinand Keller Their son’s bride, the Duchess Sophie-Charlotte, was the daughter of… Continue reading A cavalry of trumpeters led the royal carriage thru Berlin where a 72 gun salute started the dual wedding ceremony
… a German vintage 1800’s Christmas card reflecting the tradition of bringing home a Christmas tree...a snowy scene with a lit up church in the background. Explore images on brand new products at my stores https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagegermanygifts
This vintage world map shows the wide dispersion of 100 million Germans around the world. Of course most, 83 million, lived in Germany...at that time a much larger country than the Germany of today... but the remaining 17 million were widely spread out all over the globe... in the U.S. (9 million), Brazil (620,000), Canada… Continue reading People with German Heritage…where did 100 million Germans live in 1930?
This ancient Roman manufactured brass head represents a Teutonic warrior from the era 10 B.C...it was found by archeologists in Germany, along with a silver Roman cavalry face mask. Both items are believed to be from the Teutoburg Forest battle field in Germania Magna. In the background, a Roman Legion SPQR standard, representing the three… Continue reading Rome’s attempts to subjugate Magna Germania were permanently halted after the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD
Soon we'll be out looking for a Christmas tree, most likely at some corner lot or big box store. This vintage scene reminds us of how it used to be done in the early 1800's ...artwork by Franz Krüger, entitled "Vorweihnacht" (Before Christmas). Explore images on brand new products at my stores https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagegermanygifts
Christmas Season is here and for the benefit those who are new to this page, I will once again relate my memories of how Christmas was celebrated in northern Germany. Most significantly, Christmas Day was not as important as Christmas Eve and therefore many German-Americans still follow the tradition of exchanging gifts on the 24th.… Continue reading My memories of how Christmas was celebrated in northern Germany
German Children's Prayer at Christmas Time, with a Victorian era drawing of a little girl in bed before Christmas Eve. She is dreaming of angels delivering her Christmas tree, complete with lighted candles. The title of the prayer is roughly translated as: I lay here and sleep completely at peace, because you, God, help me… Continue reading German Children’s Prayer at Christmas Time
For People Proud of their German Heritage 