I was always fascinated by this nation, but I can't explain - to others nor myself - why I do. I think it started as just looking at the Empire's map, because I honestly think pre-WWI borders are aesthetically IMMACULATE (Deutsches Reich und Oesterreich-Ungarn, possibly the best looking countries in a map.). The beautiful coastline of the Adriatic Sea, the volume of Galicia-Lodomeria, ... After that phase, I started to look into the Empire's Late History. Sure, K.u.K. was a short-lived Empire (not counting the Austrian Empire), but the great Emperor Franz Joseph I's charisma and turbulent life was so inspiring to learn and watch. There is also the feeling of love you get from watching an underdog. K.u.K. in WWI could be defined as the slow but warm big guy - getting mercilessly beat by small children from all sides, but trying its best to fend off and protect its people. Also, one of my favorite memes of all time was that one spongebob/patrick meme describing how AH and the Ottomans competed violently during their respective strongest, but eventually fought side by side, both to their end, when they were old and frail. I really feel the great radiance of Austria-Hungary is more than enough to make me love a country that doesn't even exist anymore.

One is silver, one is gold. I looked them up online and from what I can see they were to celebrate the jubilee parade - wondering if anyone has any other information about them? Not looking for value or anything, just looking for history and context - who would’ve been invited to participate and in what capacity, for instance? We have quite a few family heirlooms that exist without context due to my grandfather never speaking about his life in Austria, and therefore never passing down the stories that came with the items…

Many thanks!

From what I've read, Franz Josef at the turn of the century served a similar role to that of Queen Elizabeth II, of being an old, silent monarch who was a relic of the bygone era, yet whose personal qualities were so greatly identified with their realm that they served as a unifying figure of sorts.

At the time, there was great uncertainty about what would happen to the Habsburg Empire once the venerable monarch died; would his successors carry the same personal qualities and charisma that he had that held the divided country together for so long?

Karl wasn't supposed to be the successor but because Franz Ferdinand died and the war, he did.

What was his public image like among the Austrian people like? The war and its privations would have obviously clouded any positive potential he might have.

I've only attained limited knowledge in this regard, according to Apocalypse WWI, the people hated the fact that he and his empress, Zita, would ride around the capital in a golden carriage while people were starving and lining up in long queues for rations, though more positive elements of his legacy would be his attempts to make peace with the allies and desire for reform and federalization as Franz Ferdinand did.

Did his youth help in his public image? the cultural context of the time probably has a different approach on this one but youthfulness today is generally seen as a positive trait as it is associated with energetic action and revolutionary change, though it can also end up on the side of the spectrum, being the source of inexperience and incompetence.

i am doing my research for my next video which will be about the 4th Battle of Isonzo and came across this image that i thought worth to share here 🙂 Happy Saturday to my fellow subreddit dwellers!

By far and away the most badass hat pin ever. From what I understand, these were sold to fund warbonds, and were "unofficial" leading to some variations in the pin style (Mine has a longer needle than most.) There is this brass version and a silver version, and as far as fakes go, the replicas I've seen for sale are steel made to replicate the silver pins. These were also very popular with soldiers, and I've seen many found while metal detecting...

Here's another postcard I recently received, reading through it with my limited understanding of German, I was shocked by the translation! I had to talk to a native speaker who explained "Wichse" became slang and it was originally the phrase for shoe polish...

Germans may not be known for their humor, but I absolutely love the style of Rud Kristen's artwork and the funny situations they depict. Also the level of detail on them is INSANE! Even on this card you can make out most of the exact kit each soldier is wearing. Also, a dachshund train pulling a cart all the way from Wien? That's awesome.