22.00 USD
Lucy Florval, dancing her way into your heart...your book too, if you should so choose! :) This Belle Epoque postcard is of a variety known as a "mignonette." Probably printed in Germany, this is a little jewel of a postcard, that would make a lovely bookmark if kept in a protective, transparent sheath. It is less than two inches wide, and a little over 5 and 1/2 inches in length. Lovely image of Mlle. Florval, by Leopold Reutlinger of Paris, circa 1900. Beautifully hand-colored. This is the fifth time we've offered a card with this image in our shop (though this is the first Florval mignonette we've had). They don't last long. We are also posting an image of a poster of Mlle. Florval, in the same costume, by decorative artist Maurice Biais, The poster is NOT FOR SALE. Only the postcard by Reutlinger is being offered for sale. We thought it was interesting though, that this poster, done in 1901 by Biais, appears to have been drawn from the series of photos by Reutlinger. This hints at how photography, a relatively new art form, was already influencing long established traditions in popular graphic arts. Biais, whose style is not so much to our tastes when compared with masters of Belle Epoque commercial art like Jules Cheret, and Alphonse Mucha, was nevertheless much loved, (This poster is housed in the Biblioteque d'Arsenal), and his work, posters (often seen as heavily influenced by the work of artist Aubrey Beardsley), postcards (hand drawn and colored), wall paper, etc., was much sought after even in 1901, when this poster of Mlle. Florval was made.
When this portrait was made, Mlle. Florval was performing at the Théatre Marigny, a wonderful place, situated in beautiful gardens, at the corner of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, and Avenue Marigny, in Paris. We include a cropped scan of a postcard image of the Marigny. Not For Sale! At that time, the theater was used for Summer musical events. . Just imagine!
Incidentally, one of the reasons for the popularity of this particular image, and others of Mlle. Florval, has to do with the whole "wasp waist," tight-lacing thing, which places the card into another, highly collectible, sub set.
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!