Mountains on Vintage Postcards: A Journey Through Time
Old postcards featuring mountain landscapes are more than just pretty pictures—they are historical artifacts that capture the golden age of tourism, mountaineering, and print art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
1. The Golden Age of Mountain Postcards (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)
With the rise of rail travel and mass tourism, mountain scenery became a popular theme for postcards.
Key Mountain Regions Featured on Postcards:
✅ The Alps (Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France) – Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Jungfrau.
✅ The Caucasus – Mount Elbrus, Kazbek, Dombay.
✅ The Carpathians – Hoverla, Chornohora Range.
✅ Scandinavian Mountains – Norwegian fjords and Swedish peaks.
✅ The American Rockies – Grand Teton, Denali.
Characteristics of Vintage Mountain Postcards:
Chromolithography – Vibrant, handcolored prints.
Romanticized Scenes – Lone travelers, alpine huts, shepherds.
Promotional Text – Hotel names, resort ads, railway slogans.
2. Famous Publishers & Artists
Lehnert & Landrock (Egypt/Europe) – Alpine and Middle Eastern landscapes.
Detroit Publishing Co. (USA) – The Rockies and Yellowstone.
Scherer, Nabholz & Co. (Russian Empire) – The Caucasus and Crimea.
3. Collectible Themes
Old mountain postcards are prized by philatelists (postcard collectors) for:
🔹 Rarity (preWWII Soviet cards or limited editions).
🔹 Artistic Value (handpainted details, engravings).
🔹 Historical Significance (early mountaineering expeditions).
4. Where to Find Vintage Mountain Postcards?
Antique shops (especially in Alpine countries).
Online auctions (eBay, Delcampe, Catawiki).
Museums (e.g., Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne).
Examples of Rare Postcards
🖼️ «Mont Blanc, View from Chamonix» (France, 1900s).
🖼️ «Mount Elbrus – Europe’s Highest Peak» (Russia, 1910s).
🖼️ «The Matterhorn & Hotel Monte Rosa» (Switzerland, 1890s).х
