1900s

Shown here is the cover of the two-volume book Deutschlands Ruhmeshalle im neunzehnten Jahrhundert, published around 1900. The cover is a representative example of traditional German book art covers of the Imperial period (1871-1914). It shows an angel in knight’s armor with a laurel wreath on its head. The decorative frame around the title and … Continue reading Deutschlands Ruhmeshalle im Neunzehnten Jahrhundert (Germany’s Hall of Fame in the Nineteenth Century)

This picture shows a wedding in a farming community in the German region of Swabia. The painting was done by Theodor Lauxmann.

This photograph shows a Swedish bridal procession of the 19th century.

This photograph shows a Russian folk dance troupe performing the Russian National Dance.

This picture is titled “Choosing a Bride on Christmas Eve”. The text reads: “In some Russian villages it is a custom, that young women who wish to marry go to the house of the oldest person in the village on Christmas Eve. They all take a seat next to one another and are covered with … Continue reading Die Sitten der Volker, Volume 3

The Stollwerck Chocolate Company was one of the first German companies to use trade cards -- picture cards inserted in the wrapping of their chocolates -- as a means of advertising. However, having produced thousands of different images usually in distinct sets of six cards each, the company presented a panorama of German society in … Continue reading Stollwerck Sammel-Album No. 14, Aus Grosser Zeit (From Greater Times)

German infantry soldiers rush into battle.

German cavalrymen of the Hessian Guard Dragoon Regiment No. 23 being fired upon from nearby bushes.

Troops from Württemberg engage French troops at the Battle of Champigny on December 2, 1870.

In the potpourri of topics that are included in the early Stollwerck trade card albums, some were of a more serious nature, such as the cards pictured here that show (from the left): A Comparison of the Relative Size of the Commercial Fleet of Each Major European Nation; The Languages with the Most Native Speakers … Continue reading Statistische Tabellen (Statistical Tables)