Maria Vermahlung Card

[vacillator]

Great forum and great posters here.  Hopefully, I can find a few answers as well.

My grandmother passed down a few 3x4 inch cards.  They appear to be hand drawn or at least hand colored.  The following image is of the only card in my possession.  The back is full of hand writing in German.  I assume they're from around 1923 from what looks like a date on the back.  From the front of the card, I found that "Vermahlung" means Wedding, which makes sense with the picture.  Other than that, I know nothing about it.

It would be great if someone here knows what this card says, but I'd be more than happy to hear some tips on how to research it.  Since its in German, I suspect there's a very limited number of places I could take it to.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[talesofthesevenseas]

You can translate it for free online at Babelfish. Just select German to English from the drop down menu and type in the text. It will take a little time, but you should get a decent, but not perfect, translation.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

[D&b antiques]

This is ''Old'' German. the new German was introduced in the late 1930's?

[Dean Perdue]

A link showing the 'old german' or sutterlin script.
Maybe it will help a bit.

http://www.suetterlinschrift.de/Englisch/Sutterlin.htm

[vacillator]

Yes, it is the sutterlin script.  Thanks for the tips.  After another's advice, I sent the images to a college professor that teaches German.  He has volunteered to translate it for me. 

One more question:  How should I protect 90 year old paper like this?  Currently it's just in a plastic baseball card case.  I'd like to display it, but don't want to just drop it off at the local framing shop.  Once again, any tips will be appreciated. 

[waywardangler]

I would recommend an all acid free mat and backing (maybe do a two sided type framing so both sides can be viewed and then there would be no backing), conservation mounted, uv glass, keep it out of direct light and even limit indirect light.  Light is extremely damaging.  If under indoor lights, they should be UV filtered.  Make sure the frame shop knows what it is doing.  Do not go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.  Find someone good that does museum quality or conservator work.  If you handle the paper directly, wear cotton gloves to minimize body oils transferring to the paper.  And above all, enjoy it because it looks neat.

[ironlord1963]

Wayward is right on  with Acid free and UV Glass, maybe UV Plex.  I work in a pro Photo and graphics business, and have done many Matte and Frame jobs.   Even did Art Wolfe stuff.  First and foremost is Acid free, (Museum board).  In most cases any good Frame shop can and will do a good job at this, they deal with the likes of Artist who are very picky.  However as mentioned by Wayward here we have a double sided item.  I have seen UV plex Sandwich Frames for the table top.  These are a great way to display a double sided item.   Also go check out a Baseball Card shop and see what they do display there cards, bet they would have a few ideals.  Please let us know what you find, and if you need any help in finding material or etc.  Working in the industry I can get some really cheap prices on this stuff, Espically UV Plex, We throw out pieces under 16 x 20 all the time.