WWI German Postcard Portrait of Admiral Graf Spee

This item is a First World War–era German postcard featuring a formal portrait illustration of Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee, one of the most prominent naval commanders of the Imperial German Navy. The image is a monochrome printed portrait rendered in a finely shaded, engraved style, presenting Graf Spee in civilian or service dress with a composed, authoritative expression. The caption beneath the image clearly identifies the subject as “Admiral Graf Spee,” leaving no ambiguity as to the intended portrayal.

The postcard is printed on light-toned cardstock typical of wartime German production. The front shows even printing and good contrast, with no hand coloring or later embellishment. The reverse is a standard divided postcard back marked “Postkarte,” published by Verlag Die Wehrmacht G.m.b.H., Berlin W 8, Kronenstrasse 37. A printed emblem in the upper right advertises “Die Wehrmacht – Deutschlands größte Wehr-illustrierte,” identifying the card as part of a militarily themed publication network aimed at patriotic distribution. The credit line “Phot. Sammlung Handke, Berlin” appears at lower left, indicating the image source. The card is unused, with no writing, postage, or address present.

Historically, Admiral Graf Spee commanded the East Asia Squadron at the outbreak of the First World War and achieved early notoriety during the Pacific campaign before his death following the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914. After his death, Graf Spee was widely commemorated in German media as a heroic naval figure, and his image appeared frequently in wartime publications, postcards, and illustrated journals. Portrait cards such as this were intended both as commemorative items and as morale-building material for the home front.

From a collector perspective, this postcard is best understood as a personality portrait rather than a battlefield scene. Naval subjects are scarcer than army imagery in WWI German postcards, and named portraits of senior commanders carry consistent demand, particularly those associated with major naval actions. Graf Spee remains a recognizable and collected figure within Imperial German naval history, making this card a solid representative example for WWI postcard, naval, or propaganda-focused collections.

Condition is very good. The card shows light, even age toning with minor surface wear consistent with storage. Edges and corners remain intact with no tears or creases observed. The print is sharp and fully legible on both sides, with no evidence of trimming or restoration.