UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Imperial German Uniforms, Orders, and Decorations Imperial Graphic Arts ...

Friends,

I was trying to think of something that might create a bit of "imperial entertainment" for those who may not have a big interest in pre-1918 collectibles, such as medals and uniforms, etc, etc... Many of our members concern themselves chiefly with collecting and studying various aspects of the National Socialist-period, 1933-1945. As these forums are mainly dedicated to areas of German military-history just prior to, and during the Second World War, I thought perhaps we could take a look at some of the early images that may have influenced those who also lived during that later time period..?

Take for instance Himmler's obsession with German culture - what were the things that fascinated not only the RFSS, but his entire generation? Certainly artistic interpretation added its profound impact to the printed word - renderings of brave heroes, warriors from the epic Nordic sagas, tales of Germanic knighthood and the lore of all things Aryan ... I believe the affect of the imperial graphic and visual-arts was a definitive contributing factor in shaping the perceptions of those that took the reins of the NS hierarchy. Darwin's radical new theories were still a juicy topic for discussion in coffee-houses throughout Europe, as were brilliant, new scientific discoveries. Nature's influence flourished in the decorative arts, the naturalistic-style of illustration and design prevalent in most examples of Nouveau and Jugenstil arts and crafts.

Periodicals, magazines, books and newspapers were the greatest influences on the masses at the turn of the century and the majority of them were illustrated with artwork of one kind or another. Pen and ink line-illustrations, oil paintings and watercolors, engravings, etchings and myriads of lithographs, wood-cuts and crayon drawings - all played a part in the graphic-related industries.. Each concept easily worth a thousand words or more, many of these illustrations can be taken as well-defined reflections of current topics and events of those heady times.

So let's take a look at a few that I've nicked for the occasion ... sshhh!

Please share your thoughts and favorite pics with us, too. How hard can it be to pop something into your scanner? Give us your take on these early sources of NS influence and interest. Remember, no photos please, artwork only.

Some of these are a bit small but ... beggars can't be choosers ... nevertheless, hope you enjoy!

Bill

1/3 ... early German soldier

2/3 ... Bayerischer Soldat

3/3

Wotan and his ravens, Hugin & Munin. (thought and memory)

... Valkyries

... heh ...

Weapons and symbols of the Thirty-Years War ...

Gentlemen,

Sorry if nobody likes the images, I do ...

Maybe I can get a response on this little beauty? A nice pair of.., err, ah.. seahorses!



B~

They are great pictures. I agree that the obsession with Germanic culture; the past, fairy tails, etc. began long before the Third Reich and RF Himmler. Only he made a lot of it state funded and made certain aspect of it and its belief mandatory. At least for the General SS. Its sad in this age people do not care about culture at all really. The value culture, the arts, and even our own heroic past have, have cease to have a tremendous amount of value to anyone and especially to youth and today's popular culture. Too bad really. Anyways great pictures I really like them, but maybe I'm just one of those weird people that romanticize about the past and think it still holds some value.
I also really don't think it's that nobody likes these pictures, its just participation is down so much nowadays. Something needs to be done to revive this forum, there has got to be a way. I have just always liked the set up of this forum over the others, the way the pages are viewed, etc.. Maybe I'm just nostalgic though.

Adam,

Thanks for your thoughts and kind response. You mention culture, or actually the lack of it today. heh... only time will tell, however, I'm sure there's something good going on somewhere out there? - Yeah, how about some of our own great and powerful cultural icons - Michael Jackson, Brittney, other tone-deaf singers in general, gangstas, buffoons, etc ... big smelly mounds of poop and pleez, ... spare me wid dat munchkin-brained cosmic debris!

It seems these days we're all pretty much fully occupied with our own unique and sometimes drastically normal work-a-day rat-races, or wheels-of-mis-fortune, or whatever the individual case may be? Work, get up, go to work again, on and on over and over, ad nauseum, ad infinitum ... well, for better or worse I've chosen this hobby and have stuck with it longer than many a passing fancy over the fleeting years. Hopefully I'd like to be able to pass on some of my small inspirations and personal triumphs to any who share the same kindred interests, but then again, maybe not? Leastwise, I'm willing to give 'er a go ...

For those who become really 'entranced/entrenced' in our hobby, we normally find most of the very sucessful boys keenly knowledgeable not only in their specific fields of interest, but also in many aspects of world history in general and European history, specifically. The more you know about how many different events in time interlock and actually influence one another, the greater your appreciation will be for some of the very things that we persue and collect. Seemingly insignificant details may add just the right icing on the cake, it's exactly why you'll see grown men get really jazzed about a simple number or code stamped into a seemingly common medal or dagger of some sort... it's all in the details, as one of our forum member's tag goes. Those are excellent words to live by if you're any kind of collector worth your salt.

I'd say learning about the culture of the people who's stuff we collect is imperative, that is, if we actually want to become even semi-serious about it, no? Yes, in that context it can be a most helpful and a valuable tool in our personal kitbag of collecting-tips. Knowing the mindset, terminology and general mood of the times may help you to make an important and costly decision someday in the future, maybe precisely when you're buying that ultra-rare presentation piece you've wanted and saved for all your life ... hmm?

From that perspective alone I'd say it'd be worth studying the years just prior to whatever era or period it is that you're interested in, too, as you'll make lots of new connections that way. Read and understand anything and everything from the time-slot that most grabs your fancy, Someday, an almost insignificant little detail might just pay off in trumps!

The past will always hold its value as long as there are those who have an appreciation for it.
Happy trails and good collecting to all you gents!

Bill

Hope this 1921 post card is along the lines of this thread.I don't know much about it but liked the art.

Dean,

Yes, you've nailed it exactly! Your postcard "Feuersprung zu Wintersonnwend" translates to, "fire-jumping at winter solstice," an old German ritual to celebrate the rebirth of the coming year. Large bonfires are built on the longest, darkest night of the year, the December solstice, an important link in nature's cycle.

Those who've given Himmler's SS more than a cursory glance will be able to explain the thoughts and reasoning behind some of these age-old traditions. This is the festival of JUL, the wheel, or turning of the cycle of life - hence, the Allach Julleuchter. The bonfire or flame represents the sun, and we are all likened to seeds in the earth, waiting to be reborn in the coming year, unlocking our potential for new, personal growth and strength. Himmler meant to rekindle many of these early Germanic customs through his Ahnenerbe staff, a powerful research department devoted to manufacturing evidence pointing to a direct German/Aryan link. The old boy was fascinated and consumed with these ideas, albeit many of their theories were completely contrived and patently false, nevertheless, they fueled his fertile and fevered imagination. Even Hitler made some snide comments over the Reichsf�hrer's obsession with early Germanic history.

Is there a date or anything printed on the back of the card? Sometimes that'll give you the publishers name or some indication of where the card originated?

Many thanks for your fine addition, I know it might not be easy finding something apropos to fit into this category.

Best!

Bill

The back of the Jung postcard is postmarked 1921.
It has correspondence,a small printers logo that looks 2 fingers holding what looks like a weight with a boy and lion (maybe.It's pretty small),and WIA under it.

On edge printed in very small letters is:
Wia-kunstlerkarten-Urlagg,Teplitz-Schonau.
Entmurf von Fr.Jung.

Here's something else that might be in the
renderings of brave heroes, warriors theme.

A exlibris dated 1915.
On the back of this one is:
Einzelpreis 10 Pfg.
Tiesdruck von O. Felsing, Charlottenburg.

Bill,where did you get the Wonton & his ravens photo?Nice one.

Dean,

Your ex libris bookplate is outstanding, the old Germanic warrior is the "Protector of German Spiritual Quality."

Gotta love that helmet ...

In the line, "Tiesdruck von O. Felsing, Charlottenburg." I'm fairly certain the first word should be spelled, Tiefdruck, with an "F."
That would translate to photogravure or intaglio, both are printing methods.

I found that nice graphic of Wotan on eBay,
someone was selling old German prints from the Art Nouveau publication, "Jugend." I told you I nicked them ...

Do you think you could possibly scan your ex libris plate on a good flatbed scanner and send me the file, please? I'd really enjoy taking a good look at the details on that one. nice!

Keep 'em coming if you can?

Thanks!

Bill

Another postcard dated 1915 with Germania and eagles.The corrspondence on back was nice in my book so I included it too.

Back

Von Stuck

Other side

Dean,

You've really been busy at this for a good long while, haven't you? Those are definitely some excellent postcards, fantastic images.

Andrew Wyeth would have loved these old illustrations. Did you know he was a big fan of Paul Casberg, the German military artist? When I showed Herr Wyeth some of Casberg's illustrated mounted cavalry troops, he instantly fell in love with the horse paintings and begged me to get him a copy of the old imperial-aged book. I did ...

Franz Stuck's brilliant Medusa is especially frightening, that is one crazy-looking lady, Jesus ..! man, I would beat-feet if I knew she was even anywhere near the neighborhood! Some neat looking European vipers for her hairdo - I wonder what she feeds those buggers?

I'll have to go on another "treasure hunt" for more nice early images as soon as I can find a bit of time again...

This type of artwork is a great complement to the finest of militaria collections. One or two of the old German masters will certainly lend due creedence to the respectability to our much-maligned hobby.

Great stuff here, thanks!

Bill

Couldn't resist, what a great caricature of Kaiser Willi ...

Here my 'German War Bond Drive /Request ' art postcard .

It was never sent through the mail , but a soldier had started to write a note to his Dad --but never finished it !

A 'Feld-postcard 'showing the a drawing of the cityhall in Hamburg with a airship added in the sky !

Here the card >

It was sent through the mail.

Here the cards backside section .

Here now a small package box .

..and close-up of the 'German ' lefthand side .

....and the ' Austrian ' righthand side .

Bernd,

Very nice, I especially like the "war-bond"
card, it's a great illustration of an observer-gunner. I like the little finishing touches on the courthouse in Hamburg postcard. Nice how they worked the national colors - schwarz, weiss, rot, into the border rules. Your mailing label is in great shape, too. Bold bright colors indicate that this example has been well cared for over the years ...

Hope you might have some more examples that you can share with us... many thanks!

Bill

Bill : Thank you for your kind remarks .
Here now a 'little' art piece from my Grandfather's letter seal collection . I assume he gave some money to get this token ; he did live in Berlin .

Now I have 3 tabel display books , very thick and heavy , that I got from my other Grandfather who served on the frontlines in Belgium . These are very detailed about the entire WWI history as seen from the German side , with many photos , drawings and maps . The 3rd volume was actual printed after the war .

...and a close-up .

..and artist's name .

Now a black pencil drawing I got about a year ago . It is small like 8- by 9-inches . I can not make out the artist's name , only 1917.

...and a close up of this intense face !

Here now again a black pencil drawing of a WWI soldier : Heinrich Rueter .I got to know him as an older man , retired teacher in Luebeck , and good friend of the family .

...and a close-up again .

...and close-up of the artist's name .

Here's one of prince Wilhelm as a knight


Gary

The Kaiser is on parade