1940s Ice Skating Bavarian Alps Germany Vintage Postcard, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

About This Vintage Postcard

Witness the timeless winter charm of the Bavarian Alps with this lively scene of ice skaters on the frozen Riessersee. Located just above Garmisch-Partenkirchen, this famous lake is framed by dense evergreen forests and the towering peaks of the Zugspitze group, reaching an altitude of 2964 meters. The image captures the lake's storied history as a premier destination for winter sports, notably serving as a venue for speed skating and bobsledding during the 1936 Winter Olympics. This postcard offers a classic mid-century perspective of Alpine leisure, showcasing the rugged beauty and sporting heritage that made the Wetterstein mountains a primary rest and recreation center for Allied forces during the post-WWII era.

Details

Era: Divided Back (c. 1945–1949)
City: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
State or Region: Bavaria
Country: Germany
Topic: Riessersee, Zugspitze Group, Bavarian Alps, Ice Skating History, Winter Sports, 1936 Winter Olympics, Allied Occupation
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Foto-Zentrale Möbius and Friederichs, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Printer: Möbius and Friederichs (No. N 0024 / FZ 815)
Print Type: Collotype

Additional Information

This uncirculated postcard was produced during the post-WWII Allied occupation of Germany. The marking "U.S. Army Authorized" indicates it was vetted by the District Information Services Control Command (DISCC), a branch of the Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS) that oversaw media production between 1945 and 1949. During this time, Garmisch served as a major rest and recreation center for American troops. The Riessersee, an artificial lake created in the Middle Ages, gained international fame as a hub for winter competitions and remained a popular spot for skating and curling during the occupation. The publisher, Foto-Zentrale Möbius and Friederichs, was a prominent local firm documented by the specific series numbers FZ 815 and N 0024 found on the reverse.

This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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