The exhibition "Sympathy
cards from all over the world" was shown during the Paperworld
Fair in January 1998 in Frankfurt, Germany by the AVG and now
can be visited in a private museum in Dreieich.
He has collected some 3.500 samples from 25 countries. First, the physician started collecting amongst acquaintances, he then made appeals at congress meetings, trade fairs as well as in newspapers. A tidal wave of sympathy cards, from many countries were sent to him. The oldest cards originate from before the first world war.
"In comparison with today's sympathy cards clear differences
can be observed", says Blumenthal-Barby. In those days most
of the cards were made in a deep black and were beautifully shaped.
Many cards had costly silver coloured print on a black background,
some were decorated with black bows. The designs were usually
of the typical symbols of death such as crosses, wreaths, angels,
lilies, weeping willows or gravestones. Even in the 1920's, the
appearance of these cards had begun to change. In those days
deep grey tones dominated instead of black. This tendency continued
and today light to pastel shades are used, so that the sympathy
card hardly differs from the greeting card.This different approach,
according to the researcher, reflex a change in other areas concerning
death. Funeral cars are now hardly different to other vehicles.
At the beginning of the century they were jet black and at funerals
highly decorated. The widow's veil or condolence ribbon is totally
out of fashion. All this shows hat society tries to suppress
the subject of death.
Who expresses their sympathy to whom and how? By collecting and
comparing, through research and analysis, Dr. Blumenthal-Barby
was able to observe "interesting cultural and historical
differences".The Germans generally write their condolences,
the French express their bereavement personally. In Russia or
Italy sympathy cards are almost non-existent, whilst in many
states of the so-called third world there are none whatsoever.
In South Africa for example, only the white population send cards,
whereas the black population express their condolences by participating
in funeral marches or guarding their dead. In prosperous countries
money, sometimes considerable amounts, is enclosed in the letter
of condolence.
How should condolence be compiled today?
Blumenthal-Barby has this to say on the subject: After receiving
the news of a loss one should express one's condolences immediately.
A telephone response should only be made if relatives or very
close friends are involved. All others should be sent written
messages so that consideration be given to the affected family,
who find themselves in a desperate situation. Offering one's
help is important to those remaining. In the USA very often sympathy
cards include the words "please let me/us know when I/we
can be of assistance to you". Everyone who has suffered
a loss, greatly needs moral support and comfort for the time
to come. This aspect is often overseen.
What is the special meaning
of greeting cards
and postcards?
How do postcards and greeting cards take shape?
Greeting Cards
in the change of times
The history of open to send postcards
An exhibition of
postcards during the "Paperworld" in Frankfurt 1999
The development
of both the postcard
and the picture postcard
Sympathy cards
from all over the world
An exhibition during
the "Paperworld" in Frankfurt 1998
The official measurements for envelops in Germany