18.00 USD
Following a period of around 200 years of self imposed cultural isolation, Japan underwent the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and opened wide its gates to trade with other nations. Japanese culture was suddenly accessible to westerners, and it was only thirty or so years after this, in 1904, that Puccini wrote the hugely successful opera, Madame Butterfly. Talk about jumping on the bandwagon, these gals, performing in kimonos, under the name, "The Butterflies," were almost certainly riding on the coattails of that opera's popularity, and the resurgence of Japonism that followed!
We can't find any information on this trio, and because their name was "The Butterflies," instead of "Les Papillons," they may well have been an English trio of dancers performing in France, but, in any event, this wonderful image was photographed by the great Walery of Paris, probably sometime between 1905, and 1910. Beautiful, and such fun, and filled with such wonderful contrasts and inconsistencies! The umbrella's Japanese style decoration, in contrast with its European design, the European tea cups! The darling kimonos with the lapels, and European decolletage! The flowers in their hair, in the French, Belle Epoque, fashion. We could go on, but it is such fun, we'll let you draw your own conclusions. A very nice, unposted card with minor wear to corners.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, or in a padded envelope reinforced for protection of the merchandise. 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 recent increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
We do not profit from shipping, shipping materials, or handling. Shipping as we normally do, first class, fully insured, and in secure packaging to prevent damage to our cards, we generally accept a small loss in shipping expenses, whether domestically or internationally.
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!