22.00 USD
Fantastic card of young lovers with a very 1920s Art Deco background. We love this series of intensely finished 1920s cards by P-C Paris (Papetery de Levallois-Clichy). They express the era so beautifully!
This series was not only tinted in an amazing shade of pink, but mixed into the tint was a silvery or crystalline sheen achieved by a ground glass, or metallic flake. We don't know what the process was, and unfortunately it doesn't show off to its best advantage in a scan, but the series can be identified by the phrase printed on the back of the card, "Diaman G E. F.," a term which (if our research is correct) would normally be applied to the grading of diamonds: "Grade, Extra Fluorescent." :)
The cuddling couplet hold between them two "boudoir" dolls. These two dolls are costumed as the very popular tragi-comical romantics Pierrot and Pierrette.
Boudoir dolls are a highly collectible item these days, and were all the rage with the "Jazz Babies" of the 1920s. It is less common to see images of a man with one, but these charming (though often uncanny looking) dolls were in some ways symbolic of the cultural liberation (some might say "libertinism") of the period.
Carried along by young ladies to the dance, carnival, or fete, they took the place of Cousin Bette, or Aunt Margaret, who in past decades would have acted as chaperones, guaranteeing the good behavior of their wards. Instead, the very presence of the boudoir doll in a girl's arms was in some ways a declaration that she was chaperone free, and "thoroughly modern" (some of these dolls even smoked little cigarettes!).
Of course, aside from these cultural implications, which may, or may not, have applied in individual cases, boudoir dolls were also simply a stylish young lady's accoutrement, though a very unique one, when viewed from our present day perspective.
When you journey to the thrift shop or flea market, keep your eyes open for boudoir dolls. Though quite scarce and valuable, they often go unrecognized. Just a year or two ago, we found a very nice example of one, costumed in a wedding dress, for just a few dollars at a flea market.
A wonderful and unusual card of historic value! On the reverse side, Mlle. Madeleine sends "baisers" (kisses) to the recipient.
***Please Note*** In the process of our everyday research and translation efforts, we recently learned that "baiser," though in Madeleine's day did mean kiss, and one could send "une mille baisers" to one's mother, sister or brother, this is no longer the case in the France of today. Apparently the word has taken on a far more intimate meaning, and the casual use of it in a letter to someone you haven't gotten to know VERY well, could cause a little embarrassment :).
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 occasionally 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.