Antique & Vintage Postcards

High drama in the Swiss Rhine Valley — the medieval castle of Werdenberg crowns its rocky promontory above the picturesque village of the same name, with the serrated limestone ridge of the Kreuzberge (Appenzell Alps) dominating the horizon in this beautifully composed real-photo postcard. The card is captioned "Werdenberg m. Kreuzberge" in the lower left margin, and the reverse bears Swiss Helvetia stamps (20 Rp. red and 10 Rp. blue-green, William Tell type, issued 1914–1931), a postmark from Grabs (the nearby postal village), and a handwritten message in German Kurrent/Sütterlin script from "Hans" and "Selda" to "Liebe Schwager + Schwester!" (Dear brother-in-law + sister!). The correspondents write that they are visiting Switzerland, enjoying fine weather, and send "herzlichsten Grüsse" (most heartfelt greetings). The publisher's circular stamp on the reverse reads "Jul. Buchmann Photos Grabs," identifying a local Swiss photographer-publisher. Werdenberg Castle, dating to the 13th century, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland and a frequent subject for regional postcards. The address is to "Herrn + Frau [Gailhard?]" in Lieghovitzkirchlein bei Föllen, Nieder-Österreich (Lower Austria) — a cross-border family correspondence with charming domestic warmth.