Postcard, Gedenkstein in Lowitsch, Poland, 1917
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1917
Postcard in German, written on 12 January 1917, during World War I. The postcard is inscribed 'Gedenkstein in Lowitsch'. During World War I the Polish town Lowicz (Lowitsch) was occupied by Germany. The memorial stone depicted is inscribed 'Durchhalten' ('Hang on') - directed at German soldiers and/or the German public. The postcard is numbered '101' and may be part of a series.
The postcard was written from Netta Frölich in Poland to her brother-in-law Wilhelm Cress on 11 January 1917. The sender of the postcard is possibly conveying birthday greetings to Cress, and hopes that the war will have ended before another year (and birthday) passes. It is not known how this particular postcard came to be in Australia. Black and white postcard with an image of soldiers at the memorial stone in Lowitsch, Poland. The inscription on the memorial stone "Durchhalten" (keep up) encourages the soldiers to keep fighting. The back is inscribed with printed text naming the publisher, and also handwritten text. It is in a moderate condition.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The black and white picture postcard is an invaluable record of everyday life during World War I. It depicts a landmark in the German occupied city of Lowitsch in Poland.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 140 mm (Width), 91 mm (Height)
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Front in print: 101, Durchhalten, Gedenkstein in Lowitsch (translation: 101, Keep up, memorial stone in Lowitsch) Back in print: Herausgegeben von der Ostpreussenhilfe 1915. Der Krieg 1914/16 in Postkarten; Feld=Postkarte; Deutsche Hilfstaetigkeit fuer Ostpreussen E.V. (translation: Published by the East Prussian Aid Organisation 1915 / The war 1914/16 in postcards). Date stamp: Frankfurt (Main) 18; 12.1.17. 10-11V. 7 1/2 Deutsches Reich post stamp. In handwriting: Herrn / Wilhelm Cress hier Bergenstr. 298 Frankfurt M., 11.1.17. / Dem lieben Schwager / meine herzlichsten Glück- / wünsche zum h
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-1826517
- Museum object name
- Postcard - 'Gedenkstein in Lowitsch', Netta Frolich to Wilhelm Cress, German, World War I, 11 Jan 1917
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- HT 31408
- Published references
- Information on World War I German postal service from German History in Documents and Images (GHDI) web site http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/sub_image.cfm?image_id=2153, accessed 9/2012. Translation undertaken by Museum Victoria volunteer Kate Davison in March 2014.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.