This postcard advertises Cacao Suchard Soluble. It was sent from brother Adolf in Spiez, Switzerland to Eduard at St. Croix in 1903.
Philippe Suchard (9 October 1797 – 14 January 1884) was a Swiss chocolatier and industrialist. By the end of the 19th century, Suchard had become the largest chocolate producer (source: Wikipedia). According to a website on Swiss Chocolate History:
The years between 1890 and 1920 saw a real blossoming of the Swiss chocolate industry, coinciding with the golden age of Swiss tourism. Members of the top echelons of society throughout the world who spent their holidays in Switzerland came to know and appreciate Swiss chocolate, and took its reputation home with them. The initiative of Swiss chocolate producers conquered the world chocolate market between 1900 and 1918. Up to three quarters of Swiss chocolate was exported. Thus "little Switzerland" became a world power in chocolate. Of course, "Swiss chocolate" owed its global reputation not just to the quantities exported, but above all to its quality, which made it stand out above the great amount of chocolate produced in other countries.
The postcard has the words and music for Dem Vaterland. This was the former national anthem of Switzerland. It had semi-official status as the national anthem from the 1850s to 1961, when it was replaced by the Swiss Psalm. Its text was written in 1811 by Bernese philosophy professor Johann Rudolf Wyss. The tune of the anthem was the same as in God Save the King (1745), a tune which became widely adopted in Europe, first as the hymn of Denmark (1790), later also as that of Switzerland, and as that of the United States as My Country, 'Tis of Thee (1831) (source: Wikipedia).
These are the words in German and English:
Rufst du, mein Vaterland
Sieh uns mit Herz und Hand,
All dir geweiht
Heil dir, Helvetia!
Hast noch der Söhne ja,
Wie sie Sankt Jakob sah,
Freudvoll zum Streit!
When you call, my Fatherland,
see us, with hand and heart
all dedicated to you.
Hail unto you, Helvetia!
Who still hast such sons
as Saint Jacob saw them,
going to battle joyously!
That tune has certainly made the rounds! Looking at the music I began humming the tune & soon smiled, realizing what it was. From Switzerland to Denmark to England to the U.S. & still sung in all countries one way & another. And who doesn't love Swiss chocolate. Well ANY chocolate, really - but Swiss & Belgian chocolate really are the best!
ReplyDeleteAny post involving chocolate has my vote!
ReplyDeleteMountains, chocolate, national anthem, flag, traditional costume -- the perfect souvenir postcard.
ReplyDeleteOh my just a delicious post revolving from a stunning post card!
ReplyDeleteLovely mountain scenery and chocolate; great combination.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed where you find postcards like these,
ReplyDeleteIs he saying, come away to the mountains with me my little chocolatier. Neat card, I wonder what the uniform is.
ReplyDeleteI'm appreciating postcards more and more. You can pack so much into one little card. This one was perfect for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea the Swiss chocolate industry was that old, fascinating as always....the postcard reminds me of Heidi my all time favorite children's book.
ReplyDeleteMmm, Suchard! One of my favourites chocolates.
ReplyDeleteI like chocolate, but too much of a good thing ... well, need I say more.
ReplyDeleteI also hummed the tune when I saw the card and recognized it instantly, but was unaware that this tune was used in Switzerland. These vintage music postcards with the tunes written out are very interesting, and make me wonder what influence they had in spreading songs and dance melodies around Europe.
ReplyDeleteWhy was chocolatier never on my list of career choices?????
ReplyDeleteWith postcards like the ones you show us if you're not careful you'll have me scouring the collectable shops for old postcards. You have also reminded me that my stash of Lindt chocolate needs refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMmm. Who doesn't love chocolate? And Easter is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteA postcard with a musical score on it! What a fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this card!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have memories of traveling through Europe with two friends in the '70s. When we got to Lauterbrunen in Switzerland we sat in our room eating a lunch of Toblerone bars and orange juice. Yes, it was just as disgusting as it sounds, but we were young and didn't care.