Lot #817: Two Germany Postcards - "Kehl Rathausplatz" (Gebrüder Metz) - "Glockchen Gehlberg" Copperplate Gravure "Kupferiedruck" "Thüringerwaldverlag"

Two Germany Postcards: (1) "Kehl am Rhein - Rathausplatz" issued by the publisher "Je Echte Phoptographie. Agfa. Gebrüder Metz, Tübingen". This specimen is a high-quality Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) that documents the civic architecture of Southwest Germany during the mid-20th century. Unlike the lithographic prints, this is a literal photograph printed directly onto cardstock. The Publisher, Gebrüder Metz (Metz Brothers) of Tübingen was one of Germany's most prestigious "Real Photo" publishers. The marking "Echte Photographie" (Real Photography) confirms that this was produced using a darkroom process. The "Agfa" branding indicates that the cardstock itself was manufactured by the famous German film and chemical company, Agfa-Gevaert. Based in the university town of Tübingen, the Metz brothers were known for their impeccable "Deep Focus" photography. Kehl is a strategically significant "Border City," located directly across the Rhine from Strasbourg, France. Its "Rathausplatz" (Town Hall Square) is the civic heart of the city. Given that Kehl was heavily impacted by its proximity to the French border during both World Wars, this card serves as a vital record of the city's Urban Planning Heritage and post-war reconstruction or preservation efforts. (2) "Das Glockchen im Tal bei Gehlberg - Thüringen" guaranteed to be an "Echt Kupferiedruck" issued by the publisher "Thüringerwaldverlag Rich. Ziesdank, Rudolstadt, Thür." The Thüringerwaldverlag (Thuringian Forest Publishing House) was dedicated to capturing the romantic, rugged beauty of the German heartland. The phrase "Echt Kupfertieferdruck" (Genuine Copperplate Gravure) is the technical highlight of this card. Copperplate Gravure "Kupfertieferdruck" is an Intaglio process where the image is etched into a copper plate. A copper gravure produces incredibly rich, deep tones and a "painterly" quality. This technique was often used for "Schwarzwald" (Black Forest) and "Thüringerwald" (Thuringian Forest) scenes to capture the moody, atmospheric light of the dense woods. Based in Rudolstadt, Richard Zieschank’s publishing house (Thüringerwaldverlag Rich. Zieschank) was a specialist firm that focused on "Heimat" photography—images that celebrated the soul of the German landscape. Gehlberg is a village is situated in the high Thuringian Forest. "Das Glöckchen im Tal" (The Little Bell in the Valley) likely refers to a specific landmark or a small chapel bell, a common motif in German Romanticism symbolizing peace and the harmony of nature. This postcards is likely early to mid-20th Century (c. 1920s–1930s). Dimensions: 9 mm x 14 mm Pickup category timeslot {A}