WWI German Soldiers Feldpost Military Postcard Battle of Sedan 1870 Scene 1915

Original Imperial German WWI-era Feldpost postcard, mailed in 1915, featuring a dramatic military illustration of German troops in combat.

The printed caption along the bottom reads:

“Moment aus der Schlacht bei Sedan am 1. Sept.”

The scene depicts an episode from the famous Battle of Sedan, September 1, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War. The postcard was produced and circulated during WWI, when imagery from the German victory at Sedan was again widely used for patriotic and military themes. Period postcard collections confirm that Sedan imagery was actively produced and circulated during the 1914–1918 war.

The illustration shows a large body of Imperial German infantry advancing across open and broken terrain, with Pickelhaube helmets, rifles and combat equipment clearly represented. Troops can be seen moving forward from both sides while smoke rises over the battlefield.

The lower-left corner bears what appears to be the artist’s signature “R. Grisot.”

WWI Feldpost Use

The reverse is handwritten and headed:

“Feldpostkarte”

The sender dates the card:

“15.3.15” — March 15, 1915

The card is addressed to Martha Rapslak/Rapslach in Coburg. The sender appears to have been writing from the field and sends greetings.

This is particularly interesting because it combines a Franco-Prussian War battle subject with genuine WWI German Feldpost usage. German military correspondence from the Sedan area is well documented during WWI; surviving archival Feldpost correspondence records German troops operating around Sedan as early as September 1914.

Historical Background

The original Battle of Sedan was fought September 1, 1870 and became one of the decisive German victories of the Franco-Prussian War. The battle resulted in the encirclement and defeat of the French Army of Châlons and ultimately the capture of Emperor Napoleon III.

Sedan subsequently became an important symbol in Imperial German military culture, which explains why scenes of the 1870 battle were still being reproduced on patriotic postcards during WWI. Period German postcards specifically depicting the 1870 Battle of Sedan are preserved in institutional collections today.

Details:

• Original WWI-era German postcard
• Genuine Feldpost usage
• Handwritten and dated March 15, 1915
• Battle of Sedan military artwork
• Imperial German infantry
• Pickelhaube helmets clearly depicted
• Rifles and battlefield equipment
• Large-scale combat scene
• Franco-Prussian War 1870 subject
• Artist signature R. Grisot
• Card No. 55
• Published by Kunst- u. Verlagsanstalt Schaar & Dathe, Komm.-Ges. a. Akt., Trier
• Addressed to Coburg, Germany

Condition:
Original used condition with age toning, handling and normal edge/corner wear. Reverse retains the original handwritten WWI Feldpost correspondence. There is some staining/spotting consistent with age. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

An excellent crossover collectible for both Franco-Prussian War and WWI German militaria collectors, especially desirable as a period battle-art postcard that was actually used as Feldpost during the First World War.

SEO Keywords / Search Terms:
original WWI German postcard, WW1 German Feldpost, Feldpostkarte 1915, Imperial German Army postcard, Battle of Sedan postcard, Schlacht bei Sedan, Sedan 1870, Franco Prussian War, Franco German War, German military postcard, Pickelhaube soldiers, Imperial German infantry, German battlefield postcard, WWI militaria, German Feldpost mail, 1915 German postcard, Kaiserreich postcard, German soldier mail, military propaganda postcard, R Grisot artist, Schaar Dathe Trier, Coburg Feldpost, antique military postcard, 1870 German battle, vintage German war postcard

YB3 series