Autographed Imperial German Postcard of Generaloberst von Moysich, Dated October 1918

This postcard features a formal studio portrait of Generaloberst von Moysich, identified at the top in Gothic script as “Generaloberst von Moysich.” He is shown standing in full Imperial German Army uniform, wearing high-ranking general officer shoulder boards and a closed-front tunic bearing a prominent array of decorations. Visible awards include the Iron Cross and additional high-grade orders, with a large breast star worn on the left chest, indicating senior command status and long service. The portrait is professionally composed and printed, with the restrained lighting and clarity typical of late-war German military studio photography.

The lower right of the image bears a bold, flowing handwritten inscription and signature, executed directly onto the photographic surface and dated “3.10.1918.” The hand is confident and consistent with period examples of senior officer autographs, strongly indicating an original contemporary signature rather than a printed facsimile. The timing of the inscription is especially significant, as it places the signing of this card during the final weeks of the First World War, only weeks before the Armistice, when the German Army and Imperial system were on the verge of collapse.

The photograph is credited at the lower right to “M. Glauer, Kgl. Hofphot., Oppeln,” identifying a royal court photographer based in Oppeln, Upper Silesia. The presence of a court photographer’s imprint reinforces the official nature of the portrait and suggests production either before or early in the war, with later signing during active service. The printed series number and studio mark further confirm this as a commercially issued portrait postcard intended for circulation among officers, supporters, or as presentation pieces.

The reverse of the postcard shows clear evidence of genuine wartime use. It is franked with period German Empire stamps and bears a legible Breslau postmark dated 4 October 1918, one day after the dated inscription on the image side. The card is addressed to a civilian recipient in Breslau-A., providing direct postal and geographic context. This confirms the piece was not merely retained as an autograph collectible but functioned as actual wartime correspondence, adding a strong human and documentary dimension to the item.

Historically, postcards of senior German commanders were popular during the war, but examples signed by officers of Generaloberst rank are far less common, particularly those that can be firmly dated to the closing phase of the conflict. Von Moysich represents the entrenched professional officer class of the Imperial German Army, men whose careers spanned the prewar Kaiserreich and culminated during the catastrophic final year of the war. Material associated with this cohort often reflects both institutional prestige and the personal networks of officers and civilians at home.

From a collector standpoint, this postcard stands out for several reasons: clear identification of the subject, original wartime autograph, precise date linking it to October 1918, court photographer attribution, and verified postal use. The convergence of autograph, rank, and postal history places this piece well above ordinary unsigned or unused portrait postcards and firmly within advanced Imperial German militaria and ephemera collecting categories.

Condition is very good overall. The photographic image remains clear with strong contrast and no major creasing. Light surface wear and mild corner softening are present, consistent with age and postal handling. The signature remains bold and legible. The reverse shows expected handling marks, light smudging, and age toning, with stamps intact and cancellation clearly readable. No evidence of trimming or restoration is observed.