Imperial Germany – Princes Dietrich and Hermann of Wied Postcard

This original Imperial German photographic postcard portrays the young brothers Prince Dietrich and Prince Hermann of Wied seated on a garden bench with a large dog between them. Both princes wear matching sailor suits and broad-brimmed hats while holding child-sized gardening tools, creating an unusually informal portrait of German royal childhood during the final years of the imperial era.

The printed caption reads “Prinz Dieterich und Prinz Hermann,” translated as “Prince Dieterich and Prince Hermann.” Although the card uses the spelling “Dieterich,” the younger prince is generally identified in genealogical records as Prince Dietrich of Wied.

Hermann Wilhelm Friedrich, Hereditary Prince of Wied, was born in 1899, while his younger brother Dietrich was born in 1901. They were the only sons of Wilhelm Friedrich, Prince of Wied, and Princess Pauline of Württemberg. Their mother was the daughter of King Wilhelm II of Württemberg, giving both boys a direct connection to the Württemberg royal family. Their apparent ages suggest that the portrait was taken during the middle years of the first decade of the twentieth century.

The postcard was produced by the Stuttgart photographer Rudolf Vollmar, whose studio imprint appears on the reverse as “Rudolf Vollmar, Stuttgart, Rotebühlstr. 59.” The reverse has a divided postal layout headed “Postkarte,” or “Postcard.” It remains unused, without an address, message, postage stamp, or cancellation. A faint period pencil notation is present near the center but cannot be transcribed confidently.

The card remains in very good condition for its age. The photographic portrait retains strong contrast and clearly defined details. There is light toning along the outer margins, minor edge and corner wear, scattered small surface marks, and a short light scratch within the dark background above the subjects. The card remains flat and intact, with no major creases or tears.

An appealing and less frequently encountered royal-family postcard combining the Houses of Wied and Württemberg, this example offers collectors a charming departure from formal court portraiture. The sailor clothing, gardening implements, canine companion, identified royal subjects, and Stuttgart photographer’s imprint give it particular interest for collections devoted to Imperial German royalty, royal children, and period photographic postcards.