Altfränkische Bilder (Old Franconian Images) is described as an "art historical masterpiece calendar" (as stated on the cover). First published in 1894 for the year 1895 by the Stürtz Publishing House in Würzburg, the journal was only interrupted during the war and post-war years from 1942 to 1948. From its 63rd edition in 1964, it was published under the title Altfränkische Bilder und Wappenkalender (Old Franconian Images and Coat of Arms Calender). The journal was discontinued by the publisher with its 90th edition in 1991 (published in 1990). Since 2005, a new series has been released under the self-publishing arm of the Society for Franconian History, beginning with Volume 1 (2006).

Since the 63rd edition in 1964, the publishing institution has been the "Society for Franconian History" in cooperation with the "Friends of Main Franconian Art and History." In the new series, it has been supported by additional historical associations in Franconia. Digitally, the issues from 1895 to 1928 are accessible via the digital journal collection of the Würzburg University Library.

From the journal's founding until his death in 1928, Prof. Dr. Theodor Henner served as its editor and sole author. His express goal was to present the "venerable monuments of art and antiquity," visible throughout Franconia or partially hidden, in an art historical calendar format. The calendar spans a wide range, including architecture, funerary monuments, painting, sculpture, organs, decorative arts, and literary artifacts.

The calendar, known for its unique format, remained unpaginated up to issue 59 and consisted of 16 pages plus four printed cover pages (except in the early years). During Henner’s tenure, only the outer cover pages were printed in color, while the inner cover pages featured a calendar for the respective year starting with the third edition. Before World War II, the publisher provided binding folders for ten-year collections of the calendar to meet collectors’ demands for durable storage.

In more recent editions, the decorative cord characteristic of earlier issues was omitted, and the calendar pages were discontinued. However, the number of pages has increased over the years. The Altfränkische Bilder und Wappenkalender additionally featured two pages on Franconian noble coats of arms and a large, double-page illustration in the middle of the issue. While the issues before World War II were primarily shaped by authors like Theodor Henner, Fritz Knapp, and Wilhelm Engel, a wide range of renowned authors have since presented Franconian treasures and rarities.