14.00 USD
*Please note that there is a visible crease in this card near the top edge center, visible in our second listing image*
Sborgi is one of our favorite publishers of Italian photo image postcards and Italian romance postcards, well, some are definitely in a class by themselves. So often in these images the focus is not simply on romance, but it veers into the dark edges of romance. Betrayals, revenge, despair, etc. A love over which one agonizes. After all, we're talking about a culture that inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet, a beautiful love story, but one in which the characters rather than being blessed by love, are trapped by it and as we know, love does not treat them gently.
In this case, we have a sweet image, a charming image, no? A beautifully arranged photograph in which a young woman in a magnificently strange costume who laboring at her music practice is falling asleep where she sits. But wait, and here is where the card turns so very Italian.... See the text below the image. "Canzone igannatrice dell' amore..." This translates as "Song of deceitful love..."
If we zoom in on the music she was practicing, we can just make out the title, "Canzone di Pierrot." Now it is up to the viewer to decide, given that the tale of Pierrot, one which originated in Italy with the Commedia dell' arte in the 16th century was often a story of a lovers' triangle, betrayal and murder. Is our subject the betrayer or the betrayed? Is she overwhelmed, bowed under the weight of this romantic tragedy, or as our first glance suggests, is she simply drifting off into peaceful sleep? It is the way these cards pose questions that we really love :)
Probably, to an Italian of the card's era, the image was a straightforward one, but to us these cards will remain charming puzzles.
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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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!