{"product_id":"frederick-the-great-der-alte-fritz-in-sanssouci-postcard-postmarked-1938","title":"Frederick the Great “Der alte Fritz in Sanssouci” Postcard, Postmarked 1938","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis original German postcard depicts Friedrich II of Prussia, better known as Frederick the Great and affectionately remembered as “Der alte Fritz,” standing on the grand terraces of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam accompanied by two of his dogs. The composition combines one of Prussia’s most recognizable monarchs with the palace most closely associated with his reign and personal life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe printed caption reads:\u003cbr\u003e“Der alte Fritz in Sanssouci”\u003cbr\u003eThis translates as:\u003cbr\u003e“Old Fritz at Sanssouci.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrederick II, King of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786, transformed Prussia into one of Europe’s principal military and political powers. His reign encompassed the Silesian Wars, the Seven Years’ War, major administrative reforms, and the continued expansion of the Prussian state. His combination of military success, intellectual interests, and highly personal style of monarchy made him one of the defining figures of eighteenth-century European history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSanssouci Palace at Potsdam was among Frederick’s most personal architectural projects. Conceived as a retreat from the formalities of the Berlin court, the palace became closely identified with the king’s private life, cultural interests, and later years. The terraced vineyard and central staircase form the backdrop of this postcard, while the inclusion of Frederick’s dogs reflects the well-documented importance of his greyhounds in his private life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe image presents Frederick in characteristic eighteenth-century military dress, including tricorn hat, decorated coat, high boots, sword, and walking stick. Rather than portraying him in battle or formal state ceremony, the scene emphasizes the later cultural memory of Frederick as the aging king at his beloved Sanssouci.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe postcard is numbered “59” on the front. The reverse identifies the publisher as:\u003cbr\u003e“Verlag Karl Heinrici \u0026amp; Sohn, Sanssouci”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe reverse also bears a photographic-production marking reading:\u003cbr\u003e“Echte Photographie”\u003cbr\u003ewhich translates as:\u003cbr\u003e“Genuine Photograph.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe card was postally used and carries a green 6-Pfennig German postage stamp with a Berlin cancellation dated 6 July 1938. A handwritten message fills much of the reverse, and the card was addressed to a recipient in Witten, Westphalia. The surviving postal markings give the postcard a clear period context and preserve its history as an object that actually circulated through the German postal system rather than remaining an unused souvenir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough produced long after Frederick II’s lifetime, the postcard is an interesting example of the enduring public memory of the Prussian king. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, images of Frederick the Great remained common in German popular culture, particularly in Potsdam and other locations closely associated with the Hohenzollern monarchy. Sanssouci souvenir cards such as this drew directly upon that historical memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition is good overall for a postally used postcard of this age. The printed image remains sharp with strong contrast and clearly defined architectural and figure details. There is light edge and corner wear, scattered age toning, minor surface marks, and light handling wear. The reverse shows normal postal use, handwritten correspondence, and some age spotting. The stamp and cancellation remain present and legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an appealing period postcard for collectors of Frederick the Great, the Kingdom of Prussia, the House of Hohenzollern, Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam history, and German royal ephemera.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50921546186991,"sku":"38-2654","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/IMG_9170.jpg?v=1790807790","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/frederick-the-great-der-alte-fritz-in-sanssouci-postcard-postmarked-1938","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}