Description

Heimaey 1973 eruption postcard

This vintage color postcard commemorates the 1973 volcanic eruption on Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar Islands, Iceland). The front shows the new volcano Eldfell (left) erupting with glowing lava and ash plume at dusk, viewed across the harbour with the town of Vestmannaeyjar, Helgafell volcano (right), and ships in the foreground.

The back is multilingual (Icelandic, English, German, Danish) with the caption: “Gosið á Heimaey. Nýja eldstöðin og Helgafell, séð yfir höfnina í ljósaskiptunum. Febrúar 1973.” “The eruption on Heimaey. The new volcano (left) and Helgafell volcano, viewed across the harbour at dusk. February 1973.” “Udbruddet på Heimaey. Den nye vulkan (t.v.) og Helgafell, set fra havnen ved solnedgang.” “Der Ausbruch auf Heimaey. Der neue Vulkan (links) und der Vulkan Helgafell, mit dem Hafen im Vordergrund.”

It credits publication by Grafík hf, Reykjavík, on behalf of the Heimaey Women’s Association Relief Fund (Sólárfilma sf.), photo by Guðm. Sigfússon, numbered 5012.

A historical souvenir postcard from the Eldfell eruption relief fundraising effort.