33.00 USD
Architect Charles Garnier began work on the "Palais Garnier," the present day home of the Paris Opera, in the early eighteen-sixties, during the reign of Napoleon and less than a decade before the end of the Second Empire in 1870.
Today it is still one of the most famous and opulent opera houses in the world. It was there, that singer André Richard performed the role of Méphisto in Gounod's "Faust."
By the 1930s, when this wonderful RPPC was produced, the building was called the Théâtre National de l'Opéra, though still known simply as the "Opera," or the Palais Garnier.
This portrait was made just a few years before WWII, when, in 1940, the German army marched into Paris, which they would occupy for the next four years.
Monsieur Richard was employed by the Paris Opera at that time, and shortly thereafter joined the French resistance for whom he carried out numerous dangerous missions.
We've found almost no biographical history on Monsieur Richard, but we did luck into an extensive interview in which he details some of his activities with the resistance. Below is a link to that interview.
http://voices.iit.edu/interview?doc=richardA&display=richardA_en
Wonderful RPPC, signed with a dedication, in fine condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for 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 increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
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!