Thirteen vintage postcards, capturing the lively spirit of 1920s Berlin, have vanished.
In the vibrant city of Berlin, the 1920s were a golden era, as evident from the plethora of historical postcards that still serve as a testament to the city's cultural and artistic richness during the Weimar Republic.
One of the most iconic establishments from this era was the Schwabenwirt Tavern, a bourgeois eatery that offered rich Southern German cuisine and was an early example of gentrification. The tavern, unfortunately, no longer exists, but its legacy lives on as an early symbol of the city's evolution.
Another fascinating remnant of the past is the Späti at Schäfersee in Reinickendorf, which opened in 1928 and served snacks and refreshments to weekend visitors. Good Times at Schäfersee's mushroom-nicknamed Späti may no longer exist, but the surrounding garden still offers a café and a mini-golf course for modern-day visitors to enjoy.
Berlin's first artificial ice rink, which opened in 1908 in Schöneberg's Nollendorfkiez, could accommodate 5,000 visitors. This icy haven provided a chilly escape for Berliners during the cold winter months, offering a glimpse into the city's past leisure activities.
Historical postcards of Berlin in the 1920s often depict actors, film scenes, and cultural figures from the silent film era. These postcards serve as visual documentation of Berlin’s vibrant cultural life during the Weimar Republic, showcasing images of popular film stars such as Mae Murray, Merna Kennedy, and Elisabeth Pinajeff on postcards published between 1925 and 1930.
Prominent Berlin publishers like Ross Verlag were known for producing such postcards, including portraits of actresses and actors, some related to notable films like "The Merry Widow" (1925) and "The Circus" (1928). Examples of these historical postcards can be found through specialized dealers and archives focusing on film history and vintage postcards.
The cityscape of Berlin in the 1920s was also marked by significant architectural landmarks. One such structure was the Berlin Palace, now home to the Humboldt Forum, which appeared in a postcard from the 1900s, featuring a blimp hovering over the building with a clunky 1900s photoshop.
Berlin's colonial past is also reflected in the photograph of the East African rhino Mtoto, who was captured by German "animal experts" during a wildlife expedition and became a main attraction at the Berlin Zoo in the late 1920s. The rhino's photograph serves as a reminder of Germany's colonial heritage.
The "SS Kaiser Wilhelm II," one of the world's longest ships in the 1900s, was also a popular postcard motif. The ship was photoshopped onto the Palace Square in Mitte, and it was eventually seized by the Americans in WWI and renamed "US Monticello" after Thomas Jefferson's estate.
Little Prince Wilhelm of Prussia was another popular postcard motif, often depicted in high-knee boots and playing in the palace gardens. Rare snapshots of the royal Hohenzollern family were also popular postcard motifs during this period.
Handball matches between cities like Hannover and Berlin were also popular subjects for postcards, with one such postcard depicting a tense match around 1930, with Berlin losing the game seven to eight.
In conclusion, Berlin’s 1920s historical postcards primarily feature silent film stars and cultural icons, many published by Ross Verlag, and are valuable for understanding the cultural and artistic aspects of Weimar Berlin. These postcards offer a unique glimpse into the city's past, providing a rich tapestry of history that continues to captivate and intrigue modern-day visitors.
- After enjoying a meal at a modern-day café in the Schäfersee garden, one might ponder the evolution of lifestyle and food-and-drink establishments in Berlin, with the Späti at Schäfersee serving as a remnant of the past.
- As Berlin continues to showcase its vibrant cultural life, fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts can gaze upon historical postcards featuring popular film stars like Mae Murray, Merna Kennedy, and Elisabeth Pinajeff, offering a glimpse into the city's glamorous 1920s.
- For sports aficionados, a visit to Berlin might include perusing historical postcards depicting handball matches between cities like Hannover and Berlin, reminding us of the city's rich sports history and the dynamic rivalries that once defined the era.
