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Oelsnitz im Erzgebirge is situated at an altitude of 144 m about halfway between Chemitz and Zwickau in the Erzgebirge region of Saxony. The first mention of Oelsnitz is found in a document of 1219. The origin of the name seems to be the Sorbic (Slavic) word olesnica which means "a place at the aldertree stream". At least since 1286 it had a church. For several centuries the village was divided into several domains but in 1562 it came in possession of the counts (1790 princes) of Schönburg. The sovereignty over the domains was reorganized in 1740. Textile industrie became important around 1800. Until the early 19th century Oelsnitz was divided into three separate communities existed, which were merged to an single community in 1839. Since 1844 coal mining was an important economical factor for the town. However, all mining activities were discontinued in 1971. In 1924 Oelsnitz obtained the status of a town.

The picture on glass no.1626 shows a building labeled 'Kaiserliches Postamt' (Imperial Post Office). No further information could be found for this building.

Note that there is another town by the name Oelsnitz: Oelsnitz (Vogtland).