Bidspirit 拍卖 | Prince Joachim of Prussia, Son

Prince Joachim of Prussia, Son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, with His Only Son Prince Karl Franz Joseph – Royal Photographic Postcard with Facsimile Signature – Potsdam, Early 20th Century - An early German photographic postcard depicting Prince Joachim of Prussia (1890–1920), sixth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Empress Auguste Viktoria, in military uniform and holding his only son, Prince Karl Franz Joseph of Prussia (1916–1975). The lower portion of the photographic side bears the inscription: “Joachim / Prinz v. Preußen.” A printed facsimile signature incorporated into the photographic postcard.  The lower portion also bears the photographer's credit W. Niederastroth, associated with Potsdam. Prince Joachim was one of the seven children of Wilhelm II and Auguste Viktoria and one of the younger sons of the last German Emperor. He served as an officer in the German Army during the First World War and was wounded in action. His only son, Karl Franz Joseph, was born in 1916, placing this father-and-son portrait during the final years of the German Empire or the period immediately surrounding its collapse. Joachim's life was notably brief and tragic. Following Germany's defeat, the collapse of the monarchy and his father's exile in the Netherlands, he experienced severe personal and marital difficulties and died in 1920 at the age of only 29. The reverse is postally unused, without address, message or postage stamp. An evocative Royal family photograph depicting a son and grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II, dating from the final years of Prince Joachim's short life.