Barges laden with cargo navigate the calm grey waters of the Rhine at Basel's commercial harbor (Rheinhafen) in this crisp real-photo postcard, the industrial cranes and loading gantries of Switzerland's only river port reflected in the river's surface — a working portrait of the economic lifeline that made Basel one of Europe's great inland trading cities. Dated Basel, 20 August 1929, the reverse carries a warm message in German from a traveler named Maria and her companion to "Werte Familie" (Dear Family), reporting a smooth journey home from Paris without seasickness, and noting they have "cheerfully resumed office life." The card was sent to C. E. Meyer at 57 Thicket Road, Anerley, London S.E. 20, bearing a Swiss 20-centime Helvetia stamp (Scott #200 series) with a Basel machine cancel. The slogan cancel advertises Swiss quality craftsmanship ("II. Hälfte Oktober / Schweizer Qualitätsarbeit").