Description:

This collectible phone card from the 5m Kandel Postcard Series vividly depicts the traditional “Trail of Cows Moving to the Alps,” a scenic and rustic scene illustrating the idyllic life of alpine farming. The card features a charming farmhouse nestled among rolling green fields and towering mountain peaks, capturing the serene beauty of rural alpine landscapes. In the foreground, a line of various cows strolls along a dirt path, each carefully labeled with distinctive names such as Mirzl, Gams, Blumle, Schwarze, Braunie, Schimmel, Brummel, Waldi, Schone, Xavere, Weissfuss, Dachs, Liesl, Scheck, and Sentum. These personalized names add a warm, human touch, highlighting the importance of livestock in farming life and fostering a sense of familiarity and cultural heritage for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The scene also includes several sturdy horses, essential to the daily operations of the alpine farm, pulling wooden wagons loaded with goods and supplies. Farmers dressed in traditional attire guide the animals along the trail, illustrating the cooperative effort involved in relocating cattle to higher pastures during the “Alpfahrt,” the seasonal pilgrimage of livestock into the Alps. Accompanying the herd are two dogs, likely herding dogs assisting in ensuring a smooth and organized transit. The diversity of farm animals, representing different breeds, underscores the region’s rich agricultural practices. Set against a breathtaking backdrop of rugged, snow-capped mountains and dense forests, the scene exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of humans, animals, and nature in this alpine environment.

The artistic style of the card echoes vintage postcards, blending vibrant colors with fine, detailed brushwork that lends the image a nostalgic, storybook charm. Warm tones of the grassy fields contrast beautifully with the cool, shadowy hues of the distant peaks. Subtle details, such as wisps of smoke rising from the farmhouse chimney and layered trees, enhance the scene’s authenticity. The composition follows a gentle curve of the trail, guiding the viewer’s eye naturally from the lively activity in the foreground to the majestic stillness of the Alps beyond. This picturesque vignette not only celebrates alpine farming traditions but also serves as a visual narrative capturing a moment in time where people, animals, and their environment exist in harmonious balance.

Prominently displayed at the bottom of the card, in three languages—“Alpfahrt,” “Depart pour les Alpes”—

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.