CHRISTO Wrapped Reichstag BERLIN 1995 USED Aerial View STAMP Official Art Card

"GENUINE USED 1995 CHRISTO WRAPPED REICHSTAG AERIAL VIEW POSTCARD - OFFICIAL NUMBERED EDITION WITH CONTEMPORARY POSTMARK!

you're looking at an increasingly scarce piece of contemporary art history - an official postcard from Christo and Jeanne-Claude's legendary Wrapped Reichstag installation actually mailed during the exhibition period! This vanishing piece of ephemera documents one of the most significant environmental art installations of the 20th century!

This extraordinary time capsule captures the breathtaking aerial view of the Reichstag building completely transformed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude's visionary installation - a massive artistic intervention that existed for only 14 days in June 1995 after 24 years of political negotiations.

Description

This official postcard (Motiv Nr.11 in the numbered series) features a spectacular aerial photograph by Wolfgang Volz Christo's official photographer showing the completely wrapped Reichstag building from above.

The historic German parliament building appears as a monumental silvery sculpture its entire structure draped in metallic fabric and secured with blue ropes transforming this iconic political landmark into a shimmering abstract art object.

Massive crowds of visitors can be seen surrounding the wrapped building on all sides - evidence of the extraordinary public response that drew over 5 million visitors during the brief two-week installation.

The Brandenburg Gate is clearly visible in the foreground at the bottom of the image while the Spree River curves through the upper portion placing this artistic intervention firmly within its historic Berlin context.

The card is titled 'Luftaufnahme der Süd- und Ostfassade' (Aerial view of the South and East facade) and includes official project attribution to Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

Historical Art Significance

The Wrapped Reichstag stands as one of the most politically charged and logistically challenging art installations of the 20th century requiring 24 years of negotiations with six different Presidents of the German Bundestag.

This project took on profound symbolism as it finally occurred in 1995 coming after German reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall transforming a building with a complex and often dark history into a beacon of artistic freedom and renewal.

The wrapped building required 100 000 square meters of silvery fabric and 15.6 kilometers of blue rope becoming both the largest art installation in Germany and one of the most photographed art events in history.

Over 5 million visitors came to see the wrapped Reichstag during its brief 14-day existence from June 24 to July 7 1995 making it one of the most successful public art events ever mounted.

This postcard documents a fleeting moment in art history that can never be recreated - Christo explicitly refused to repeat his major installations making this postcard a rare documentary artifact of a vanished artistic achievement.

Postal History Elements

What makes this postcard extraordinarily special is that it was genuinely mailed during the exhibition period in July 1995 with a clear contemporary postmark and message referencing the wrapped building.

The card bears a distinctive German Deutsche Post 100 pfennig stamp featuring the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin - itself an iconic Berlin landmark - creating a fascinating visual dialogue between two historic German buildings.

A purple rectangular postal marking adds additional postal character to this card documenting its authentic journey through the German postal system during this historic moment.

The handwritten message directly references the wrapped Reichstag ('I WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH FROM THE WRAPPED REICHSTAG FROM BERLIN') creating a personal connection to this historic art event that transcends mere tourist correspondence.

Condition

This postcard is in very good used condition - exactly what you'd expect from a card authentically mailed during the actual Wrapped Reichstag exhibition.

The front image remains vibrant and clear with excellent color saturation capturing the silvery quality of the wrapped building against the blue Berlin sky.

The handwriting is perfectly legible the postmark is clear and the stamp remains firmly attached and uncreased - remarkable preservation for a card that documented this ephemeral event and traveled internationally.

Both front and back surfaces show only minimal expected postal handling wear consistent with authentic use with no major creases tears or damage.

Age/Era

This postcard dates precisely to June/July 1995 - the exact two-week period when the Wrapped Reichstag was on display plus the immediate aftermath when the card was mailed.

It represents the unique moment of post-reunification optimism in German history when Berlin was being transformed from a divided city into the new capital of a reunited Germany.

The card captures the Reichstag before its subsequent renovation by architect Norman Foster documenting both the building and its surroundings at this pivotal historical moment.

As this postcard approaches its 30th anniversary it has transformed from a contemporary souvenir into a historical document of a landmark artistic event.

Rarity

While the Wrapped Reichstag postcards were produced in reasonable quantities genuinely used examples with contemporary postmarks from the actual exhibition period are increasingly difficult to find as they disappear into institutional and private collections.

This card's status as an official numbered edition (Motiv Nr.11) with proper attribution and copyright information makes it particularly desirable compared to unauthorized reproductions or generic tourist cards.

The combination of the official aerial view photograph by Wolfgang Volz contemporary postmark and handwritten message referencing the installation creates an unusually complete historical document of this event.

As interest in Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work continues to grow following Christo's death in 2020 authentic documentation of their most famous projects is becoming increasingly sought after by both art collectors and deltiologists.

Once these contemporary postal uses from the actual exhibition are gone they're gone forever - they simply cannot be replaced or reproduced with the same historical authenticity.

Collector's Note

This postcard offers exceptional crossover appeal to collectors of contemporary art German history architecture and postal history.

The card's direct connection to one of the most famous environmental art installations of all time makes it far more significant than typical tourist postcards from the same era.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work has appreciated significantly in value with even modest items related to their major installations now commanding premium prices at major auction houses.

This may be your ONLY CHANCE to own an authentic contemporaneously used postcard from the Wrapped Reichstag project - a truly vanishing piece of art history documenting an event that can never be repeated.

The card's aerial perspective showing both the wrapped building and its urban context makes it particularly desirable among the various Wrapped Reichstag postcards that were produced.

Shipping Information

Your vintage postcard will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve and shipped in a rigid mailer to ensure safe arrival.

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine contemporary document of one of the most significant public art installations of the 20th century - a fleeting moment in art history captured forever in this official postcard!"

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

 _gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.