17.00 USD
Delicately hand-tinted image of the sisters Fanny and Alice De Tender, dancing the Matchiche, an Afro-Brazilian dance whose popularity spanned the whole of la Belle Epoque. Originating in Rio de Janeiro, in the late 1860s, it experienced a resurgence of popularity when the very popular French stage entertainer, Felix Mayol, performed the song of the same name, in 1905. Given the timing, the De Tender sisters might even have been dancing to Mayol's singing when performing this on the stage at a Paris music hall like the Folies Bergere, or the Scala theater.
Alice, according to information we've been able to gather online, is supposed to have been the elder of the two sisters, but from images of them we've seen that were taken separately, we think our source has that turned around, and that it was Fanny who was the eldest, here leading in the dance.
The fourth image displayed with this listing is **Not For Sale**, but is an early 1900s card with the lyrics and music for the song, "La Matchiche." This was one way, in those pre-video days to learn a new song and dance :). We suspect that almost everyone knew at least someone with a piano, guitar, or other musical instrument, and singing and dancing together was a common way folks had of unwinding in their free time.
Below is a link to a Youtube clip in which a contemporary group of dancers perform the Matchiche, during which you can hear some of the Felix Mayol song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keFiENu-NQU
A really charming card in very nice condition, posted in 1906. Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!