1930s Erdal-Kwak Trading Card – Ferdinand Schulz & Glider "Westpreußen" – Segelflug Series 25, Card 5

Original 1930s full-color lithographed collectible card from the Erdal-Kwak Serienbild series, produced by Werner & Mertz AG, Mainz, and distributed with Erdal shoe polish and Kwak floor wax. This example is from Series 25: Segelflug (Glider Flight) and is labeled Bild 5 (Card 5).

The illustrated front depicts Ferdinand Schulz, a prominent East Prussian glider pilot and teacher, preparing for launch in his high-performance sailplane "Westpreußen". He is shown standing in the cockpit, giving final instructions before takeoff, with the tow rope visibly attached to the nose of the glider. Schulz was a record-setting pioneer in unpowered flight, known for continually extending his flight durations throughout the 1920s.

The reverse describes Schulz’s accomplishments, including his May 3, 1927 world record of 14 hours and 7 minutes aloft and a cross-country glider flight of 62 kilometers. It emphasizes his technical skill and persistence in perfecting long-duration sailplane flight and his success in both domestic and international competitions. The card also includes instructions for redeeming Erdal-Kwak cards for albums and prizes, reinforcing its dual role as both advertising and educational media.

This card is a valuable artifact from the interwar German aviation boom and gliding culture, combining collectible advertising, historical biography, and beautifully rendered commercial illustration.