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"AUTHENTIC 1953 REAL PHOTO POSTCARD - ST. BARTHOLOMÄ ON KÖNIGSSEE - GENUINE POSTALLY USED FROM BERCHTESGADEN!
You're looking at a genuine piece of post-war Bavarian history that captures one of Germany's most iconic Alpine scenes exactly as tourists saw it in 1953!
Description
This striking real photo postcard showcases the famous St. Bartholomew's Church (St. Bartholomä) with its distinctive baroque onion domes situated on the shores of the pristine Lake Königssee.
The dramatic mountain walls of the Watzmann range create a breathtaking backdrop that frames this iconic Bavarian landmark perfectly.
What makes this card truly special is that it was actually mailed from Berchtesgaden itself on July 27 1953 - a genuine tourist artifact from the exact location it depicts!
The photographic quality captures remarkable detail in the church architecture and the dramatic Alpine landscape with the church's perfect reflection visible in the calm waters of the lake.
Historical Significance
St. Bartholomä is one of Bavaria's most photographed and beloved landmarks dating back to the 12th century with the current baroque church completed in 1697.
This postcard captures the church during an important historical period - the post-WWII recovery years when tourism was just beginning to return to this formerly restricted region.
Berchtesgaden and its surroundings had been a significant location during the Third Reich and this 1953 postcard represents the area's transition back to its traditional role as a peaceful Alpine tourist destination.
The inclusion of both the standard Deutsche Bundespost stamp and a Berlin-specific stamp adds another layer of historical context from Germany's divided post-war period.
Condition
This 70-year-old postcard remains in good used condition with all the authentic character you'd expect from a genuinely used card.
The photographic image retains strong contrast showing the crisp details of the church and dramatic mountains behind it.
Expected age-appropriate wear includes some yellowing/toning of the paper light creases and edge wear that confirm its authentic vintage status.
Both stamps remain intact and the Berchtesgaden postmark dated July 27 1953 is clearly visible - important proof of the card's authenticity and age.
Age/Era
This postcard dates precisely to July 27 1953 as confirmed by the clear Berchtesgaden postmark.
This places it in the fascinating early post-war period when West Germany was rebuilding its tourism industry while still recovering from the devastation of World War II.
The card features the definitive green 10 Pfennig Theodor Heuss stamp from the first regular stamp series issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in the early 1950s.
The photographic style and semi-gloss finish are characteristic of quality German postcards from this specific period before color photography became standard for tourist postcards.
Rarity
While the subject matter itself (St. Bartholomä) has been photographed countless times genuinely used period examples with clear postmarks from Berchtesgaden itself are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
The combination of factors - the iconic location the perfect period postmark the intact stamps and the overall good condition - makes this a disappearing piece of German postal history.
As collectors of post-war German topographical postcards know finding examples with this level of authenticity becomes more challenging with each passing year.
Once this vanishing ephemeral treasure is gone it's gone forever - there are only a finite number of genuinely used 1953 postcards from this location still in circulation.
Collector's Note
This postcard represents a perfect addition for collectors specializing in:
- Bavarian landmarks and Alpine scenes
- Post-WWII German postal history
- Berchtesgaden regional history
- Ecclesiastical architecture and church postcards
- Theodor Heuss stamp series examples
The fact that it was actually mailed by a tourist visiting the exact location depicted gives it a level of historical authenticity that cannot be replicated.
As original 1950s German ephemera continues to disappear from the collector market securing authentic examples like this becomes increasingly urgent for serious collectors.
Shipping Information
This irreplaceable historical document will be carefully packaged in an archival-quality sleeve and shipped in a rigid mailer to ensure it arrives in the same condition shown.
Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of post-war Bavarian history - once this 70-year-old artifact is gone finding another with the same historical connection may be impossible!"
_gsrx_vers_1723 (GS 9.9.3 (1723))
Condition: Used
Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.
Gosla Antiques & Collectibles