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8 x 11 ?!?!? Dean,, do you think this is just a blow up of a postcard? and this maybe done post WW1 or even just after 1915 because its so cool and a nice piece of artwork..? Seems shes pretty good with a razor

For the hell of it ,,Have you done a UV on the rear of the paper?

Dean,
Thank you for the translation.

Medusa appears to be dropping fire bombs.
It is quite interesting. I find nothing online. Can not make out the town. Enlarged it to see if the artist had signed it but appears not. Unless that is a signature on the house in the lower right corner. (Or just rafters). Thanks for posting it.

--dj--Joe

If the medusa print is a re-do of a postcard I've never seen it. The paper seems high quality and is u.v. negative, plus it was done on a printing press. Under magnification there is age to it...maybe art for a publication or who knows?

I just took the mayhem as regular bombs from above...then searched the year fire bombs invented and got 1918 so very close to the dates listed on art. Good interpretation on that detail. Thank you.

Another search revealed "The first incendiary devices to be dropped during World War I fell on coastal towns in the east of England on the night of 18–19 January 1915. The small number of German bombs, also known as firebombs, were finned containers filled with kerosene and oil and wrapped with tar-covered rope. They were dropped from Zeppelin airships." accordding to wikipedia.

Here a postcard what looks to be a WW1 vet.
I internet search turned up on All Things German...'The day was first celebrated in Germany during the time of the Weimar Republic in 1919, but it was not until 1933 that the bank holiday status was confirmed as being an annual event.' Other sites state it had ancient origins.
From the read it would seem that Mayday was pretty big and somewhat political.

“Tag der Arbeit” - Labor Day. (Or Labour Day). May Day celebration.

--dj--Joe

The hammer looks like a one of those WW1 trench warfare weapons used to bash heads rather than drive nails.
The quote translated reads 'Rejected be the abuser of the holy blood'.
My take is along the line of diluting a blood line.
May be the hammer holder is drawn to resemble God.

Could it be Thor? I have seen Mjölnir depicted in a number of configurations.

--dj--Joe

Could be Joe...thanks for your interpretation.

I guess it's up to the viewer and there's no right or wrong answer. Each perception brings a different train of thought and is eye opening.

I haven't seen Thor with anything but a squared off hammer but am definitely no expert on the subject.

My perception was a God like character similar to what I've seen referred to as 'Altvater' with a four pointed trench hammer/mace ready to mete out justice if need be.

The translated quote "Rejected be the abuser of the holy blood" brings to mind theories from the 1871 publication 'The Descent of Man' by Charles Darwin.

Another God of Thunder artist depiction posted in 1909. Translated to 'Defense creates honor'.

Back on #329584 (page 80), a similar hammer can be seen superimposed over the curved arm swas.

--dj--Joe

If we succumb.

Very interesting these graphics; I like them a lot !


I have no graphics but a little brass sculpture (13cm high) as a addition: Thor with Hammer.

Frederick the Great cleans things up.
Posted the reverse in case it has anything to do with the art??

I wonder if there is any significance to the upside down postage stamp?

--dj--Joe

I noticed that also. Todays Postal Service, ( I use that term lightly) is in the same situation.

I couldn't agree more Ed...USPS... both in the upside down and lack of anything even close to reasonable service context. Well said and totally true in my world at least.

To include something to look at and totally off subject...a nice 'Wappen der Kreisstadt Bergisch Gladbach'.

I'm stumped on this Andreas Hofer card.
Who's the stone looking entity grasping the snake like sword with SP & QR to either side?
What's the message?
Posting reverse too in case it helps. Thanks

The wappen of Tyrol/Tirol. Southern Tyrol? SPQR - the senate and people of Rome. The image looks ghostly or ancient.
Andreas Hofer is a folk hero in Austria and Germany.

--dj--Joe

Awesome DJ.
'SPQR - the senate and people of Rome' clue should help out greatly.
I appreciate your time,help, and response.

'To feed one occupying soldier well, four Germans have to go hungry'

Front and reverse art. 'Black Shame' theme.

1 more art item with the same theme.
The german child outweighs solider idea??

I just read through this thread from beginning to end once again.

All I can say is, outstanding!

--dj--Joe

Yeah Joe, Bill was the man with great enthusiasm for his niche in the hobby and willingness to share that wealth of knowledge. Missed for certain.

Something more to look at. Michel trying to protect his homeland's borders. Sounds vaguely familiar.

Non German card...maybe Latvian and off topic (somewhat) but with Halloween around the corner here it is.

Card reminded me of our 'Justice' officials who sent 19 poor innocents to their death by hanging in the Salem Witch Trails.

According to Wikipedia ... "As of 2004, there was still talk about exonerating or pardoning all of the victims.[9] In 2022, the last convicted Salem witch, Elizabeth Johnson Jr., was officially exonerated, 329 years after she had been found guilty".

Amazing. Wonder if they were sure after thinking about it for three centuries.

Looks like a good title would be - Death walks among us.
From reading it appears burning at the stake was the usual chosen method of punishment.


--dj--Joe

Bookplate

Bookplate 2
The Manteuffel name appears to carry some prominence in German history.

"Through purity to unity" card with unknown ink stamp on reverse.

Old New Year's greetings.
Got to love the scarf on the skeleton.

Dean,
May the New Year bring you many new and varied cards to share.

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

Is the skeleton card for Imperial Machine Gun Kompany Reserve Infantry Regiment 70.

New Year! Fight with all the courage in the world and no doubt !!! Victory! And the sights set will help death and the devil!

(Not sure that is exact)?

Hope 2025 brings you the rarities you've been long searching for DJ and thanks for the translation.

These old cards offer a refreshing change from verbal tip toeing and cancel culture of modern day society.

Your Machine Gun Regiment title sounds like a very good, educated guess. Great additional info that is appreciated. Maybe I'll do a search to see if any history on the unit is available.

7:20 pm over here so a few more to post before the New Year theme is history.

Killing snakes seems to be a reoccurring subject on cards and day badges.
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The skeleton cards capture my attention.
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The German shame from year 1919 (I assume it to mean the fallen have been forgotten).

Happy 2025.
__________

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

Interesting perspective DJ.

Great thing about art...no right or wrong answer...Just more ways to look at things.

My take on the card's art is the death of Germany or cause abandonment with many dead in vain after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Germania finds another, more subtle, use for her sword. Leading enemy to death off cliff in orderly one at a time fashion.

Nice armor this artist gave her.

On the bloody morning after...
No idea on the meaning of the two thriving fruit trees on each side of her mayhem.

Apple trees can symbolize rebirth in Norse mythology. (Do they appear to be apples)?

--dj--Joe U.S.M.C.

How about this:


https://silentbalance.com/tree-of-life-and-tree-of-knowledge/


[ great looking cards too! ]

Thanks for comments/help DJ & Gaspare. New information to me.

Nothing on the back of this one. Apparently, Germans within changing Tyrol.