COMMENTS TO MY PAGE "ART POSTCARDS WITH A RAILWAY MOTIVE"

Wiedersehen  macht Freude


Wiedersehen mach Freude (Reunions are a joy) is a fixed expression in German. The scene depicts a train station reunion with a humorous twist: A man and woman are passionately embracing; the woman is almost falling out of the train window, bouquet in hand, in an exaggerated, joyful reunion. In the foreground, a young boy, presumably a second admirer or suitor, stands awkwardly with a small bouquet and a dejected expression—his romantic hopes seemingly dashed. A suitcase and a gift box lie on the ground, adding to the narrative of travel and anticipation. The style is playful and exaggerated, characteristic of early 20th-century German humor postcards, often using children or caricatured figures in adult-like scenarios to satirize romance and social situations. This card is from a pre-WWII postcard series, probably 1930s, a time when sending illustrated postcards was both a social custom and a hobby. The series was aimed at collectors—"Liebhaber-Sammelmappen" implies that owners were encouraged to store them in special albums. The caption "Wiedersehen macht Freude" ironically contrasts the two boys’ experiences: One is overjoyed with a warm embrace. The other is left out, disheartened, and still holding flowers. It conveys joy, longing, and romantic rivalry, all with a wink of tongue-in-cheek humor.
 

June 10th,  2025

 

 
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