22.00 USD
And you thought psychedelia was limited to the black light posters of the late 60s and 70s? Hey, the Belle Epoque had absinthe!
Just kidding. Though it is suggested in popular media that absinthe is a "wild ride," the fact is (according to modern research), that, despite the addition of a tincture of wormwood in its make-up, absinthe is hardly more psychoactive a substance than any other potent spirit, such as whiskey or gin, and though a popular drink among the bohemian crowd of Belle Epoque Paris, it is likely that its bad reputation is owed more to the temperance movement of the time, than to any actually inherent "evil."
No, the psychedelic quality of this early 1900s image is probably due entirely to innovators in the field of photographic image coloration. Not "captains" of industry, but amateur photographers, and the scientist and engineer "foot-soldiers" who were often themselves artists of the "Art Nouveau," or "Jugendstil," movement, and whose names and accomplishments are often lost to us now. After all, the entire Art Nouveau movement was, from a certain perspective, an effort to blend, both technically and philosophically, the two pillars of art and industry!
This particular coloration style probably originated in Germany (the center of the picture postcard industry at that time), and was popular (as far as we have seen) for about the first decade of the 20th century.
Its popularity also happens to coincide with some of the earliest public showings of silent film, and we have a pet theory that the filters of colored glass used in these showings (a blue filter used in a wintry snow-scape scene, for example, was very effective), might have originated out of this style of tinted images.
The play of light and contrast in these beautifully colored cards seems to encourage a "popping" of detail that enhances the overall image in a sometimes breath-taking way. This is a particularly fine example. Wonderful elements, the "mermaid" gown, her dreamily ecstatic expression, the guitar and potted palm. Great stuff!
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.