All's Fair In Love And Postcards

In 1578, John Lyly, a Renaissance English poet and playwright, wrote "The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war." Today, 432 years later, most of us know - and use - his expression which has been updated to "All's fair in love and war." But should this sentiment apply to vintage postcards, too? Perhaps! Take a look at these playful period bits of ephemera that I found at a recent New England Antique Shows event and decide for yourself!

What we have here is a series of vintage postcards called “little men/superior women” (or, less often, “little women/superior men”). Technically, these fall under the category of "fantasy cards", which is one of the largest and most popular postcard collecting category. However, because these particular cards are so seldom seen and not well known, many dealers mistakenly file these cards in their “miscellaneous” file or under “romance". All of these cards are standard sized and date from after March 1907 but before 1930 or so. This style genre has universal appeal; some of these cards are illustrated by American artists, some by European artists.

These postcards are visually attractive and functional - as well as a piece of social commentary of the period. "Little men/superior women" cards represent a snapshot in time when women didn’t have much power in the worlds of business or politics, but had plenty of power to get what they wanted by seducing the men who adored them. The tone of the cards is playful, never mean-spirited... although nothing is truly left to the imagination here. In most of these cards, the women stare out at us in knowing amusement, inviting us to share the joke on her victim.

Postcards have a relatively brief but interesting history as a collectible. Postal style cards have been around since the late 1860's in Europe, where they were produced for adverting, political, and commemorative purposes - not as souvenirs. Here in the USA, the earliest forefather of the postcard can be traced back to 1873 and showed the main building of the Inter State Industrial Exposition in Chicago. The first mail-friendly picture cards produced truly as souvenirs appeared in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The word "Post Card" began to appear on the back of postcards in 1901.

And just how important was the postcard's debut in 1893? Many ephemera experts call the 1898 through 1918 timeframe the "golden age" of postcards. During those two decades billions of high quality, beautifully illustrated postcards were exchanged as people from all corners of the globe started collecting these low cost, easy to store, and visually interesting bits of history and culture. Today, postcard collecting, or deltiology (from the Greek, a diminutive form of the word "deltos" or "writing tablet") is said to be the third-largest hobby in the world.

The design of postcards has evolved over time. These design differences can help date these collectible treasures. Up through 1907, hand written messages had to be inscribed on the picture side of the card (on the illustration or around the boarder). At the same time, the name and address of the recipient had to be on the backside. Then, in 1907, a new standard postcard format emerged - those with "divided backs." These had a line down the center of the back of the card, so senders could put a message on the left hand side, and the address on the right hand side. Moving forward, postcards produced from 1919 through 1932 often had a white boarder around them. From 1933 through the early 1950's, many postcards were printed on cards stock with a linen finish. From the mid-1950's onward, most postcards were, and still are, chrome cards, meaning they have a glossy surface and are made from color photographs.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night... prevented us from completing this interesting study on vintage postcards. I would like to thank "Postcardmaster General" Carol Moore of Iconic Postcards of Salem, MA for providing us with these most unusual postcards. Iconic Postcards sells topical vintage postcards, trade cards and ephemera. Find them at paper and antique shows throughout the Northeast, on the web at www.iconicpostcards.com and at the Antiques Gallery in Salem. Iconic Postcards will be appearing at the upcoming New England Antique Show at Elm Bank in Wellesley, MA on July 24th and 25th. For more information about the “little men/superior women” postcards featured here, please contact Carol directly at 978-745-3600 or inquiry@iconicpostcards.com.

 

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Setting the table for lovely Limoges finds

There is hardly anything more enjoyable than sitting down to a good meal with old friends.  But what about sharing the table with some remarkably beautiful antique finds as well?  Take a look at these lovely accessories I came across at New England Antique Show's recent Concord Armory Show last April.  I would call these worthy of throwing a dinner party in their honor!  What do you think?

The centerpiece of these finds is this eye catching arts and crafts/mission style vase. It is cream, brown, and gold and approximately 11.5" tall and 4.5" in diameter at its widest. It was produced by Bernardaud & Co. (B&Co.) Limoges and signed by the Sisters of Notre Dame Covington, KY (c.1900-1914). This vase was manufactured in France, in the city of Limoges, which is the administrative capital of the Limousin region in west-central France.  The piece was most likely painted by the Sisters of Notre Dame, for fund raising, or perhaps simply pleasure in the aesthetic beauty of the vase and workmanship.  It is interesting that the Sisters took what could be interpreted as a "French" flavor to their decoration. Their details include two small gold crowns; their large florals have a fleur-de-lis quality to them.

Casting a little light to our tabletop celebration is a pair of candlesticks in complementary colors to the vase discussed above.  These art deco/mission style candle holders are 5.25" tall and 4" in diameter.  They are painted with a triangular theme, perhaps to accentuate the angles in their bases, tops, and handles. They were also produced in the Limoges district by another regional manufacturer, Tressemanes & Vogt, T&V Limoges. They are marked T&V and signed "A. Slack, 1930" on the bottom of each.  Like the vase, this pretty pair were manufactured in France then sent to the US for finishing.     

Both the vase and the candlesticks had their beginnings in Limoges, France, a region known worldwide for its fine porcelain companies.  It is a popular misconception that Limoges is a manufacturer; it is actually a hub of excellence for world class porcelain manufacturing.  A key element in creating fine porcelain is a type of clay called kaolin (roughly Chinese for "white clay").  Kaolin was discovered in the Limoges area in 1768.  Soon after, many entrepreneurs started coming to the area to set up manufacturing facilities to take advantage of its "white gold".  At the time, the demand for beautiful home accessories across many parts of Europe was on the rise so the business opportunities in the industry were all but limitless.  

Bernardaud, the manufacturer of the vase mentioned above, began producing porcelain in the Limoges area in 1863.  It remains a family owned company with the fifth generation managing all operations today.   According to ceramics expert Mary Frank Gaston in The Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges, during the 1920s as many as 48 companies were producing wares marked Limoges.  Often times, these pieces included three types of identification:  the Limoges mark, the mark of the particular manufacturer, and the signature of the artist who painted the item. Today, collectors and enthusiasts can view several centuries of Limoges treasures (and even try their own hand at painting porcelain!) at the Musée national Adrien Dubouché, the Limoges museum located in Limoges, France.  

Around the turn of last century, Limoges was gaining popularity in the United States - not only for finished tableware, but as a crafts hobby as well.  In the late 1890's and early 20th century, underdecorated pieces - called blanks - from the Limoges area and other European places, were imported to the US.  Once in the US, individual men and women would paint and sign them (in addition to studio painters).  The artists were often members of clubs which would have competitions and shows to exhibit their artistry.  I'd give both these pieces the blue ribbon, wouldn't you?

I am sure everyone is full now from this discussion on Limoges table wear.  For the dessert course, I would like to thank David Weidner and Jared Cilley of Dark Flowers Antiques for sharing these fantastic finds with us.  Dark Flowers Antiques specializes in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Arts and Crafts Porcelain and Pottery, mainly pieces of European origin sent to North America as blanks and painted in the US and Canada.  The store's criteria?  The owners will not buy or sell anything they would not mind keeping themselves. David and Jared are regular dealers at New England Antique Shows throughout the year and sell online at http://www.rubylane.com/shops/darkflowers.  Contact them at cruisermac@msn.com if you are interested in the vase or candlesticks featured in this column.

What is your very favorite antiquing, vintage, or design find? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

Learn more about New England Antique Shows and their upcoming events by clicking here!