Antique Catholic Holy Card Lot 39pc German Czech c1880-1930 Lace Gilt Collection For Sale

A mixed group of Central European Catholic devotional cards spanning the late 19th through early 20th century, housed in an old Czech "Fotografie" album that's included with the sale. Production styles range widely: standard chromolithograph prayer cards, elaborate lace-cut Spitzenbildchen with machine die-cut paper borders, embossed and gilt-accented examples, memorial cards, and First Communion issues, with a handful of later mid-century pieces mixed in. German, Czech, and Latin texts are all represented.

Subject matter runs across Marian devotion, Christological scenes, saints, and pilgrimage souvenirs. Among the notable pieces: a large-format St. Gerard Majella memorial card after Fr. Max Schmalzl, printed by B. Kühlen of M. Gladbach, and a multi-panel accordion-fold pilgrimage booklet, "Erinnerung an Albendorf" (Wambierzyce, Silesia), depicting Calvary and the biblical pools of Bethesda and Siloa. Several publishers and print centers across Germany and Austria appear across the group, which has spent its life stored in books and folders and travels well in the included album.

• Total pieces: 38 devotional cards plus 1 fold-out pilgrimage booklet (39 total)
• Specialty cards: Roughly 10 lace-cut (Spitzenbildchen) and embossed / die-cut examples with gilt accents and dimensional surfaces; the balance are standard chromolithographs
• Albendorf booklet: Accordion-fold format with multiple connected panels showing pilgrimage sites, including Calvary and the biblical pools of Bethesda and Siloa
• Geistliche Rose sheet: Larger-format devotional wheel print with numbered petals, black ink on cream paper
• Notable named piece: Large St. Gerard Majella card after Fr. Max Schmalzl, printed by B. Kühlen (M. Gladbach)
• Languages: German, Czech, Latin
• Origin: Central Europe, primarily Germany and Austria with Czech examples
• Date range: Majority c.1880-1930, with a small number of later mid-20th century inclusions
• Includes: Vintage Czech "Fotografie" photo album for storage and display

• Age-appropriate wear throughout: toning, scattered foxing, small marks or tears, edge rubs, and occasional light staining
• Lace-cut and fold-out pieces hold up well overall, with borders intact
• One icon-style card shows a visible stain on the front
• The rear panel of the Albendorf accordion booklet appears to have been glued to a backer at some point
• Long-term storage in books and folders is evident, and it shows in how well most pieces have survived, though they're well over 100 years old in most cases
• Included Fotografie album shows age wear to covers and spine consistent with use

Cards ship housed in the included vintage Czech "Fotografie" album (archival, non-PVC pages) for protection during transit and long-term storage. Album is wrapped and boxed with cushioning. Ships via USPS Ground Advantage. Typically ships within 1 business day. Rates to Alaska and Hawaii differ from continental US; please message for quote. International shipping available through 's Global Shipping Program.