14.00 USD
Méaty (presumably pronounced "may-ah-tee," but sometimes spelled "Miati," too, which would sound more like "Mee-ah-tee," ) is a particular favorite of ours. Don't you just love the smoky look she gives the camera?
Mlle. Méaty Fleuron was the little sister of Marguerite Rauscher, better known as Lise Fleuron, a very popular music hall queen of la Belle Epoque. Both of these sisters would seem to have enjoyed their greatest popularity in the late 19th century, Lise began in the 1880s and Méaty in the '90s. Though we find very little history on either performer, they almost certainly were performing into the early 1900s, since their postcards continued to be produced during that time, selling in great numbers. Mlle. Méaty clearly took a page from her more famous sister's book, and made great use of the plunging neckline, but unlike Mlle. Lise, we seldom catch her smiling brightly. Like Paul and John of the beatles, Lise was the "cute" one, and Méaty, the "moody" one :)
This image, like many of her photo portraits, was probably made by Monsieur Oricelly of Paris who seems to have been one of her favorite photographers.
The Parisiana, a caf'conc (cafe concert), and one of the establishments where Mlle. Fleuron was performing when this card was printed, was a popular night spot on the Boulevard Poissoniere in Paris. It was built in the early 1890s, was closed by the prefect of police because of problems with "security" (a bit of an "unwholesome" atmosphere, possibly? but no details) and was turned into a cinema with 1500 seats in the early 1910s.
A brief word on the cafe-concert. As English speakers, when we think of these night spots we often think "music hall." The music hall though, was a British import of the 1890s, an establishment offering variety entertainment that charged admission at the door like the modern theaters we're more used to. Having paid admission, the patrons filled the seats and enjoyed the show.
The caf'conc, on the other hand, is often thought to better represent the kind of entertainment we associate with Paris of la Belle Epoque. Though also an entertainment venue, a caf'conc was initially a place that served food and drink (probably with focus on the drink) and where acts were booked to keep the patrons entertained. The caf'conc often offered other diversions, certainly in addition to the tables where patrons were served, there were dance floors, even ballrooms, sometimes beautiful gardens with shady, secluded spots where patrons could enjoy whispers and kisses. Simple playground fun, slides and swings, even grand carousels. This made for a less controlled, sometimes a bawdier atmosphere, while the music halls, though they offered the same sort of lively entertainment onstage, had the patrons seated in the auditorium, and were naturally more staid. It was in the late 1800s that a change from caf'conc to music hall gradually occurred (an early "British invasion" with many of Paris's favorite establishments being owned and operated by British theatrical entrepreneurs ), and by WWI, with the curtain closing on the "Beautiful Era," the grand cafe concerts of la Belle Epoque were mostly memories of a bygone time.
Very nice condition on this card, but with a mark, that although faint in person, is very visible on our scan, and unfortunately in her facial area.
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.
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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!