{"product_id":"prinz-heinrich-of-prussia-sms-deutschland-leaving-kiel-naval-postcard","title":"Prinz Heinrich of Prussia SMS Deutschland Leaving Kiel Naval Postcard","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis original Imperial German color postcard depicts Prinz Heinrich von Preußen, or Prince Heinrich of Prussia, together with the flagship SMS Deutschland departing Kiel. The composition combines a portrait of one of the most important naval members of the Hohenzollern dynasty with a dramatic fleet scene, making it a particularly appealing example of late nineteenth-century Kaiserliche Marine and royal commemorative imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt left is a formal portrait of Prince Heinrich of Prussia in naval uniform, surrounded by a green laurel wreath. He wears a richly decorated uniform with sash, neck orders, breast decorations, and gold-trimmed collar. Prince Heinrich, born in 1862, was the younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II and pursued a long professional career in the Imperial German Navy, ultimately attaining the rank of Großadmiral, or Grand Admiral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the foreground appears an Imperial German naval ensign, while behind the portrait a large warship steams away from Kiel under the Imperial War Ensign. Additional naval vessels are visible in the distance amid smoke and sea haze. The printed caption reads:\u003cbr\u003e“Flaggschiff ‘Deutschland’ verlässt Kiel”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis translates as:\u003cbr\u003e“Flagship ‘Deutschland’ leaves Kiel.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vessel represented is the earlier SMS Deutschland, an armored warship of the Kaiserliche Marine that was recommissioned in December 1897 for service in East Asia. She became flagship of the newly formed Second Division of the East Asia Cruiser Squadron under Konteradmiral Prinz Heinrich von Preußen. Prince Heinrich departed Germany aboard Deutschland in December 1897, accompanied by SMS Gefion, on a voyage that would take the squadron to East Asian waters at a moment of rapidly expanding German naval and colonial activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe departure of Prince Heinrich and his squadron carried considerable political significance. Germany had recently occupied Kiautschou Bay in China, and the voyage formed part of the strengthening of the Imperial German naval presence in the region. Deutschland later operated with the East Asia Squadron and remained associated with Prince Heinrich during his command in Asian waters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe artwork is signed “Willy Stöwer,” identifying the noted German maritime artist Willy Stöwer, one of the best-known painters and illustrators of the Kaiserliche Marine. Stöwer became closely associated with Imperial German naval imagery and produced numerous paintings, prints, postcards, and book illustrations depicting German warships, naval ceremonies, and overseas operations. His work was widely circulated during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II and played an important role in shaping the popular visual identity of the expanding German fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lower margin also bears the publisher's imprint:\u003cbr\u003e“Lith. Kunstanstalt Heinr. \u0026amp; Aug. Brüning, Hanau. Dep. 6862.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe reverse is printed in the traditional undivided-back “Postkarte” format, indicating production during the early postcard era before the divided-back format became standard. The card is unused and retains its original address lines and stamp box, with no postal writing or cancellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition is good overall. The color lithography remains attractive and retains strong detail in Prince Heinrich's uniform, the naval ensign, warship, smoke, and water. There is light age toning, scattered foxing and staining, minor edge and corner wear, and some surface discoloration consistent with age. The reverse shows additional toning and light handling marks but remains clean and unused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis postcard has strong collector appeal because it unites three desirable Imperial German subjects in a single period piece: Prinz Heinrich of Prussia, the Kaiserliche Marine, and SMS Deutschland. The Willy Stöwer artwork, early undivided reverse, East Asia Squadron context, and royal naval association make it a particularly attractive example of pre-First World War German naval ephemera.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50921550282991,"sku":"38-2657","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/IMG_9173.jpg?v=1790808033","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/prinz-heinrich-of-prussia-sms-deutschland-leaving-kiel-naval-postcard","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}