Postcard Hoensbroek Castle, sent 9 October 1944, Germanic Symbols stamp

Dutch postcard from the war years showing a sepia phototype of an interior detail of Hoensbroek Castle, the Meuse-region moated castle in South Limburg. The image shows a gallery with two heavy stone columns under rounded arches, and in the background a Renaissance portal with decorated framing. The photograph was taken by Hub. Leufkens, published by the Limburgsche Boek- en Kunsthandel at the Saroleastraat in Heerlen. On the recto, the handwritten caption "Kasteel Hoensbroek". The card has characteristic scalloped edges. The card is in good condition.

The verso bears a Dutch 5 cent green postage stamp from the "Germanic Symbols" series, NVPH number 411, designed by Pijke Koch and issued under German occupation in 1943. The series shows pan-Germanic motifs, here two rearing horses, and belongs among the politically and ideologically charged issues of the occupation period. The postmark Heerlen 9 October 1944 is postally remarkable: Heerlen was liberated on 17 September 1944 by American troops, and Valkenburg that same month, so that this card was sent three weeks after the liberation of both towns with an occupation stamp that remained in circulation because the liberated southern provinces did not yet have new stamps available. The card is addressed to Mrs J. Dresen, care of Hennen, Villa Via Nova in Valkenburg in Limburg. The handwritten message contains birthday congratulations: "Mrs Dresen. Hearty congratulations on your birthday. I wish you many more years, and also good health. To both of you also hearty congratulations on your recovery. How do you feel now? As soon as the opportunity arises I will come to Valkenburg." The wording about "recovery" and "as soon as opportunity arises" refers to the circumstances of the first weeks after liberation, when travel between Heerlen and Valkenburg became possible again but not yet taken for granted. The Villa Via Nova in Valkenburg was during these years the home of the Hennen family, the same family that earlier in 1914 had received correspondence from Boppard on the Rhine.