GERMAN EMPIRE
PRIVATE POSTCARDS
XI DEUTSCHES TURNFEST ZU FRANKFURT
(1908)

There were several sets of postcards Issued in 1908 to commemorate the XI German Gymnatics Festival held in Frankfurt in Jul 1908. This particular set consists of three postcards: PP27-C-84/01, PP27-C-84/02 and PP27-C-84/03. Each of these cards has a 5Pf GERMANIA pre-printed stamp inscribed "DEUTSCHES REICH". All three cards also exist without a pre-printed stamp. The cards with pre-printed stamps typically sell for 4x that of the cards without a pre-printed stamp.

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OFFICIAL FESTCARD #1

There are two versions of this postcard, the first with a pre-printed 5Pf GERMANIA DEUTSCHES REICH pre-printed stamp (PP27-C-84/01), and this version of card No.1 without a pre-printed stamp.

(1)
Card No.1
NO PRE-PRINTED STAMP

FROM MY COLLECTION

(1)
Card No.1
NO PRE-PRINTED STAMP

FROM MY COLLECTION

OFFICIAL FESTCARD #2

This second card features a gymnast holding a German Empire flag in his left hand and a cutlass in his right. The text reads "JULI 1908 | XI. DEUTSCHES TURNFEST | ZU FRANKFURT A-MAIN". There are two versions of this card, the first with a pre-printed 5Pf GERMANIA DEUTSCHES REICH stamp (PP27-C-84/02), and the second with no pre-printed stamp on the reverse.

No. 2
PP27-C-84/02

FROM MY COLLECTION

No. 2
NO PRE-PRINTED STAMP

FROM MY COLLECTION

OFFICIAL FESTCARD #3

The image is that of the River Main and the City of Frankfurt, with the early moring mist obscuring Frankfurt Cathedral in the distance.

The 'eagle in the shield' on the top left-hand corner is the city of Frankfurt coat of arms. The image on the top right-hand side is probably the organiser's logo.

This card has a pre-printed 5Pf Germania stamp inscribed "DEUTSCHES REICH" (PP27-C-84/03), and this particular example was cancelled dring the event in Frankfurt with the special cancellation inscribed "FRANKFURT | (MAIN) | XI. DEUTSCHES | TURNFEST | 20 7.08".