24.00 USD
English Girls and Young Ladies in Japanese Costume, circa 1903.
Superb RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) of 12 young women and girls wearing kimonos, holding fans, and most of them with chrysanthemums in their hair.
This was not a postcard produced by one of the big publishing houses like S.I.P., or Tuck. It was likely a souvenir photograph of a school performance cast, in a local studio, by a local photographer, or possibly even an amateur photographer, and developed in a garden shed they'd converted into a darkroom. Many RPPCs lack the smooth professional look of commercially produced cards, but that is part of their charm. The only difference between an RPPC and a standard photographic print (if there really is such a thing), is that the RPPC was printed on photo stock that was usually marked on the backside as a postcard, and was of the dimensions of a standard postcard at that time.
A nice thing about RPPCs, in terms of postcard and photograph collecting, is that by their very nature they are truly RARE. Think about it. England, 1903. It was a little over a hundred and ten years ago that this card was made, and between that time the people have been through two world wars, economic depressions, and the usual activities of living and moving about from place to place that people engage in. If 36 cards were produced (3 for each subject), and that's probably pushing things a bit, how many of them survived the last century? It is very possible that this card is the only remaining historical record of that moment and place in time. Precious, and irreplaceable.
Just for fun, follow the link below to hear the classic “Three Little Maids” from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado," performed in the wonderful film “Topsy Turvy.” It's fun to think that this class may have performed that very song in costume!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWkIZUPmDY
We can date this card to 1902/3 (approximately) because of the text on the reverse side, which states, “For inland communication only this space may be used.”
This indicates first, that our card was printed during late, or after 1902, when England introduced the first “divided back” postcards, allowing a space for messages, even advertising, in the space so indicated. Prior to that time, the entire undivided backsides of cards had been reserved for the recipient's address only.
And second, that it was printed before 1904, when France had begun adopting the same format. The U.S.A., incidentally, did not adopt the divided back format until late 1906. And if someone in England had decided to ignore the rules and write a love note on the back of this card, and then post it to Paris (how romantic :), attentive postal clerks might simply have tossed the card into a waste bin, or very often, would have appended a postage due fee to be paid by the recipient! (not so romantic)
In any case, this card was never posted, and except for some minor rounding of the corners, was well preserved.
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 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 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!