posted on September 10, 2008 07:30:00 PM new
I have a postcard of the former German city of Kolberg listed. It has been part of Poland since 1945 as part of the Pottsdam agreement. Here's the ASQ I received:
Q: I can't understand why you call your postcards "Polish"? Surely this is a German Postcard of Kolberg Germany (Pommern). Kolberg only became part of so-called "Poland" as part of a land grab by Stalin to expand the USSR? No, this is in every way a "German" postcard.
How would you handle it?
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posted on September 10, 2008 09:05:02 PM new
I would thank him for his concern and input. Point out that you take pride in your research regarding locations depicted on your postcards. You always try to be historically and geographically accurate.
Further, while he is correct in pointing out that the USSR had occupied the former German city of Kolberg, it has been part of Poland since 1945 as part of the Pottsdam agreement.
posted on September 10, 2008 09:45:40 PM new
If I were to answer him, which I wouldn't, it would be: I have tried to make the listing visible to potential buyers. Are you interested in purchasing this item?
posted on September 10, 2008 10:13:46 PM new
I would go with what Bill said.
Granted, the postcard originated in Germany and I would think that would make it a German postcard but if Kolberg is now in Poland, those who are interested in Kolberg memorabilia might be searching using either Germany or Poland.
Obviously your buyer has a chip on his shoulder. Don't volunteer to carry it for him.
PS, love the card! I find it interesting the way it was addressed.
posted on September 11, 2008 06:04:08 AM new
lol rpepsi - that's kind of what I'd like to say - for GAWDS sake! Pottsdam was over 60 years ago...get over it!(Most of the German citizens were evacuated at the end of the war and the area was resettled by Poles).
I ended up adding "Germany" to the title and Item Specifics since it WAS Germany at the time the postcard was posted (1902). I emailed buyer and said 'sorry if you are offended. I try to list postcards in the present day country, realizing that European boundaries have changed a great deal since 1900'.
It is always hard to figure out location of some of the German language postcards - some are in France, some in Poland, some in Denmark, some in Czech Republic some of former Austria are in Italy and Hungary. Switzerland hasn't changed at all Thank God for Wikipedia!
My husband (Swiss) has a friend from Bavaria who has been in the US since 1978. He still hasn't gotten over the Pottsdam agreement, feeling the US gave away Germany to the USSR and is very bitter about it. Oddly, the ASQ came from user registered in UK with an English surname. Maybe he is just a nitpicker? Good idea to block him.
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posted on September 11, 2008 06:37:44 AM new
...try to date a GLOBE lately....that is always fun. Had a few laying around, my son is starting Geography and it was a good test for him.
Thank God for Wikipedia!