Bootie
11-06-2009, 01:16
In German language, they are called Sterbebilder. They are still, today, a Roman Catholic tradition not only in Germany but also in the United States. When a person attends a funeral, he or she is given a Prayer Card, as a remembrance of the deceased.
Some collectors make the mistake of thinking a Prayer Card does not conform to rules. Well, there were no rules. They were not a military creation. They were a religious tribute. The only rule to which I am aware is that during WW2, for state security purposes, a soldier's specific unit was not listed on the card.
On WW2 cards, one most often finds heroic phrasing like, Sacrificed his life for the Fatherland, so it was more a morale booster than a deterrent.
Cards are printed on all sorts of paper and even thin cardboard. Sometimes the printer's name and city appears in tiny text at the bottom, but not always.
Card sizes vary greatly. Cards can measure from as small as about 2.5 x 2.5 inches to about 7 x 9 inches. I say about because cards measure accurately in metric and not inches. However, most collectors are not on the metric system and have no means to measure them accurately. The usual single card measures about 2.75 x 4 inches. Some are a little wider or a little taller. There is no standard.
On WW2 cards, the photograph is most always in uniform. Some late 1944 and 1945 cards picture the deceased in civilian clothes. It is my assumption this happened when a soldier was killed during the war, but, news of his death reached his family after war's end and the family tried to disassociate themselves with all things from the 12 Year Regime.
Cards most often have religious scenes on the backs. Some have a prayer and a cross. Some have military scenes like a row of soldiers grave side. Some WW2 cards have political sayings and images while others have Jesus with a crown or thorns or a crucifix. WW2 cards seem to emphasize Jesus' suffering. Some WW2 cards have a rendering of the soldier's grave with his name on the marker. Sometimes the backs on WW2 cards are printed in color, though that is somewhat rare.
http://gi61.photobucket.com/groups/h44/9G74QD86SL/2016611930089413999yIiOHI_ph.jpg
Some collectors make the mistake of thinking a Prayer Card does not conform to rules. Well, there were no rules. They were not a military creation. They were a religious tribute. The only rule to which I am aware is that during WW2, for state security purposes, a soldier's specific unit was not listed on the card.
On WW2 cards, one most often finds heroic phrasing like, Sacrificed his life for the Fatherland, so it was more a morale booster than a deterrent.
Cards are printed on all sorts of paper and even thin cardboard. Sometimes the printer's name and city appears in tiny text at the bottom, but not always.
Card sizes vary greatly. Cards can measure from as small as about 2.5 x 2.5 inches to about 7 x 9 inches. I say about because cards measure accurately in metric and not inches. However, most collectors are not on the metric system and have no means to measure them accurately. The usual single card measures about 2.75 x 4 inches. Some are a little wider or a little taller. There is no standard.
On WW2 cards, the photograph is most always in uniform. Some late 1944 and 1945 cards picture the deceased in civilian clothes. It is my assumption this happened when a soldier was killed during the war, but, news of his death reached his family after war's end and the family tried to disassociate themselves with all things from the 12 Year Regime.
Cards most often have religious scenes on the backs. Some have a prayer and a cross. Some have military scenes like a row of soldiers grave side. Some WW2 cards have political sayings and images while others have Jesus with a crown or thorns or a crucifix. WW2 cards seem to emphasize Jesus' suffering. Some WW2 cards have a rendering of the soldier's grave with his name on the marker. Sometimes the backs on WW2 cards are printed in color, though that is somewhat rare.
http://gi61.photobucket.com/groups/h44/9G74QD86SL/2016611930089413999yIiOHI_ph.jpg