Original Special Vintage Postcard Grimsel Totensee–Copperplate Print, Canton Valais, Switzerland, Mountain Lake, Historical Postcard, Collector's Card

Offering an old postcard from the Grimsel Totensee, copperplate engraving (corner slightly bumped), from 1911. The postcard is sent to Antwerp, Belgium. Postmarked and marked 88, published by Kilchberg Wehrli, Zurich.

Article: Vintage postcard Grimsel Totensee in Valais

The world of postcards is, in many ways, a window into the past. They are not only a medium for exchanging greetings and memories, but also a documentary record of a particular era, a place, and its people. Particularly impressive are the vintage postcards that transport us to the picturesque landscapes of the Grimsel Pass and Lake Totensee in Valais. These cards are not just aesthetic objects, but also bearers of stories, emotions, and memories.

The Grimsel region, known for its impressive mountain landscapes and turquoise-blue lakes, conveys a sense of timeless beauty through these vintage postcards. On such a card, one might contemplate the image of a shimmering Totensee lake against the impressive backdrop of the surrounding mountains. The intensity of color and attention to detail convey the feeling that one could almost breathe the fresh mountain air oneself. These cards are not only pleasing to the eye, they also evoke a longing for the places they depict and embody. They often evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting the viewer back to a time when things were quieter, slower, and perhaps even simpler.


The Totensee, also known as "the Lake of the Dead in the Grimsel region," plays a central role in these playful depictions. Its name, derived from the ancient legends of the dead that surround the region, lends it a mystical aura. This combination of beauty and mystery is impressively captured in the postcards. The contrast between the calm surface of the lake and the majestic, rugged rock formations in the background is a testament to the untamed nature and contrasts that characterize the Alps.


The historical context of vintage postcards is equally significant. During the postcard's heyday, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these cards were often sent as souvenirs from trips to tourist destinations. They were a sign of social prestige and cultural exchange. At that time, travel was a treasured experience, and the diverse landscapes of Europe found their way into the hearts of people far from home. The Grimsel region, with its numerous Alpine passes and impressive natural beauty, attracted numerous travelers who wanted to record and share their experiences.