Connecting to the people of the past through pictures
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
14 February, 2015
Un Baiser
What better day to have a dip into my dear collection of 1920s/30s French romance postcards?
For the uninitiated, the genre is characterized by its embellished
scenes of idealized romance--perfect for Valentine's Day! So, here is a
selection of passionate (or at least passionately posed) kisses. Cynics
can come back later.
For the uninitiated, the genre is characterized by its embellished
scenes of idealized romance--perfect for Valentine's Day! So, here is a
selection of passionate (or at least passionately posed) kisses. Cynics
can come back later.
I've included the backs, because most of these postcards, especially the
more romantic ones, were in fact sent between couples. So there's the
real romance in addition to the staged, a meltingly lovely combination.
more romantic ones, were in fact sent between couples. So there's the
real romance in addition to the staged, a meltingly lovely combination.
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| personal collection |
Written November 15, 1930, in Bourges, to a woman named Germaine.
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| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
Written on September 20, 1923, in Berchon, from a man to a woman.
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| personal collection |
.jpg) Written August 21, 1928, in Marennes, from Raoul to Eugenie. |
| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
03 November, 2014
Mille Baisers II
As long-time followers may remember, I'm an avid collector of a certain
genre of postcards most readily defined as "French romantic fantasy
postcards of the 1920s and 30s" (though admittedly not most catchily).
I've devoted a couple of posts
to these, as well as, last year, starting them their own blog.
Eventually I decided the blog format wasn't doing what I wanted to, and
set out to create a more online collection-like site
to share the postcards and the research I've done with them (there is
currently no source that discusses them at any length, at least in
English). I have many more ambitions for the site than are currently
realized, but I feel it's reached the point of being meaningful to
launch, with the caveat (or bonus) that much, much more is still to
come.
genre of postcards most readily defined as "French romantic fantasy
postcards of the 1920s and 30s" (though admittedly not most catchily).
I've devoted a couple of posts
to these, as well as, last year, starting them their own blog.
Eventually I decided the blog format wasn't doing what I wanted to, and
set out to create a more online collection-like site
to share the postcards and the research I've done with them (there is
currently no source that discusses them at any length, at least in
English). I have many more ambitions for the site than are currently
realized, but I feel it's reached the point of being meaningful to
launch, with the caveat (or bonus) that much, much more is still to
come.
The new site, like the old blog, is named Mille Baisers, which is a French term of endearment often written at the ends of letters and postcards. It means "a thousand kisses."
The site currently features about 150 of these postcards, front and
back, with relevant tags and cataloging information; I have somewhere
over 300 in my collection which shall be added on an ongoing basis. Here
are a few favourites.
back, with relevant tags and cataloging information; I have somewhere
over 300 in my collection which shall be added on an ongoing basis. Here
are a few favourites.
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| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
14 February, 2014
Love Songs of the 1890s
For Valentine's Day! A selection of illustrated covers to popular love songs of the late 19th century (and 1901).
Back in the days before any form of recording, sheet music was the
popular way to take music home for repeated enjoyment. The amazingly
diverse collections of the New York Public Library include an immense
collection of American sheet music spanning the 19th and 20th
centuries-- thousands (from 1890 to 1922) have been digitized. Though
this post only includes covers, all the sheet music itself can be
accessed-- follow the source links if you are interested!
popular way to take music home for repeated enjoyment. The amazingly
diverse collections of the New York Public Library include an immense
collection of American sheet music spanning the 19th and 20th
centuries-- thousands (from 1890 to 1922) have been digitized. Though
this post only includes covers, all the sheet music itself can be
accessed-- follow the source links if you are interested!
Since I"m a romantic, I've chosen the more romantic kinds of love songs
for today. If you are feeling less than romantic, just have a browse
through the 'love song' heading of the collection--there's plenty of heartbreak and cynicism as well, don't worry (I'm single too!).
for today. If you are feeling less than romantic, just have a browse
through the 'love song' heading of the collection--there's plenty of heartbreak and cynicism as well, don't worry (I'm single too!).
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| New York Public Library |
1901. Source
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| New York Public Library |
1894. Source
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| New York Public Library |
1891. Source
18 October, 2013
Shore Leave in Central Park
A couple of young sailors making the most of their time on leave-- with
girls, of course. New York City, 1943, shot by Peter Stackpole for LIFE
(though apparently unpublished).
girls, of course. New York City, 1943, shot by Peter Stackpole for LIFE
(though apparently unpublished).
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| Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc. |
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| Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc. |
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| Peter Stackpole, LIFE © Time Inc. |
14 May, 2013
The Romance of Robert and Raymonde
You may recall a series of French romance postcards from the 1920s
I featured a few months ago. To say I love these cards is an
understatement. I've since acquired many more and, in fact, done a whole
research project on them, which I hope to pursue further in the future.
One of my favourite things about them-- and postcards in general-- is
that they are a social kind of photograph, one intended to be used as a
part of a personal narrative. With these particular ones, that narrative
can very well be a love story.
That's the case with this amazing set, sent between Robert (also known
as Bob) and his girlfriend/fiancee Raymonde in late 1920s France. Both
of them loved these cards--they'd send them successive days, or, in once
case, many on the same day. Sometimes several views from the same
photoshoot were published as separate cards--Robert and Raymonde would
buy a few of these. This tinted variety of these cards comes in many
colours, but the two of them seem to have especially liked the green and
pink ones. While none are addressed or stamped, it was very common for
these kinds of postcards to be put in envelopes (at the time, stamps and
postmarks went on the front of the card in France, not good for the
picture!), and indeed on a few you can see the impression of a postmark
through some other paper.
I featured a few months ago. To say I love these cards is an
understatement. I've since acquired many more and, in fact, done a whole
research project on them, which I hope to pursue further in the future.
One of my favourite things about them-- and postcards in general-- is
that they are a social kind of photograph, one intended to be used as a
part of a personal narrative. With these particular ones, that narrative
can very well be a love story.
That's the case with this amazing set, sent between Robert (also known
as Bob) and his girlfriend/fiancee Raymonde in late 1920s France. Both
of them loved these cards--they'd send them successive days, or, in once
case, many on the same day. Sometimes several views from the same
photoshoot were published as separate cards--Robert and Raymonde would
buy a few of these. This tinted variety of these cards comes in many
colours, but the two of them seem to have especially liked the green and
pink ones. While none are addressed or stamped, it was very common for
these kinds of postcards to be put in envelopes (at the time, stamps and
postmarks went on the front of the card in France, not good for the
picture!), and indeed on a few you can see the impression of a postmark
through some other paper.
I don't know anything more about the two of them, although since the
cards ended up together, I think it's pretty certain they did get
married. I feel honoured to have and share this beautiful glimpse of
their love story.
cards ended up together, I think it's pretty certain they did get
married. I feel honoured to have and share this beautiful glimpse of
their love story.
(I apologize for my poor French translations-- if you have better ones
(and/or can read some of the words I can't decipher!) please share!).
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| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
November 14, 1927. To Raymonde. "More sweet kisses from your Bob who loves you."
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| personal collection |
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| personal collection |
Mainz, February 1, 1928 (1 o'clock). To Raymonde. "To my [?] fiancee, My sweetest kisses. Your Bob for forever."
14 February, 2013
Love and LIFE
Kisses from the LIFE archives for Valentine's Day.
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| Ed Clark, LIFE © Time Inc. |
Actress Ava Gardner kisses a man, North Carolina, 1949. Source
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| Alfred Eisenstaedt, LIFE © Time Inc. |
A couple kissing in side Sammy's Bowery Follies, NYC, 1942. Source
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| Eliot Elisofon, LIFE © Time Inc. |
Sailor kissing a girl at a Navy luau, Hawaii, 1945. Source
11 February, 2013
Valentine's Day Postcards Part Two
Another set of Valentine's Day postcards from the New York Public Library collections. Mailed yours yet?
From the 1900s to 1920s.
From the 1900s to 1920s.
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| New York Public Library |
Unwritten and unmailed. Source
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| New York Public Library |
Postmarked 1910. Source
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| New York Public Library |
Written in a Scandinavian language, postmarked 1912 (from Minnesota). Source
09 February, 2013
Valentine's Day Postcards Part One
Another holiday, another set of holiday postcards from the New York
Public Library collection! Two, actually-- I wanted to include so many I
split them into half for managability. So stay tuned!
Public Library collection! Two, actually-- I wanted to include so many I
split them into half for managability. So stay tuned!
From the 1900s and 1910s.
On the back: "I love the little birds that sing/ And every flower that blooms in spring. Clarence." Source
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| New York Public Library |
Unwritten and undated. Source
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| New York Public Library |
On the back: "Take this in place of the bouquets I need to gather for you. Elizabeth." Postmarked 1909. Source
04 February, 2013
Stereographs of Love
Another romance-themed post, this time through the eyes (or stereoviewer) of the Edwardians. Like the postcards,
these stereographs are highly posed, though even more sentimental. Some
are rather cute and a couple are even quite risque for the time (though
still far from the outright sexuality of these 1920s stereographs).
Unfortunately these reproductions from the Library of Congress only
show half of the stereograph, losing the effect. Nor are they the best
quality, being fairly old, black and white copy negatives. Still, pretty
fun!
Mostly published 1906, unless otherwise noted.
these stereographs are highly posed, though even more sentimental. Some
are rather cute and a couple are even quite risque for the time (though
still far from the outright sexuality of these 1920s stereographs).
Unfortunately these reproductions from the Library of Congress only
show half of the stereograph, losing the effect. Nor are they the best
quality, being fairly old, black and white copy negatives. Still, pretty
fun!
Mostly published 1906, unless otherwise noted.
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| Library of Congress |
"Sovereigns of love's domain." Source
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| Library of Congress |
"He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not." Source
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| Library of Congress |
"By the old tree." Source
02 February, 2013
Romance Postcards of the 1920s
Of course at this blog we love love,
so despite my general indifference to Valentine's Day, we're going to
have a series of romance-themed posts leading up to it. Today, a
selection from my personal collection. Hand-coloured photo postcards
like these were popular from the late 1900s to the early 1930s, though
the romance ones were especially big in the 1920s and 1930s. They were
made in France, but quite popular in England as well.
so despite my general indifference to Valentine's Day, we're going to
have a series of romance-themed posts leading up to it. Today, a
selection from my personal collection. Hand-coloured photo postcards
like these were popular from the late 1900s to the early 1930s, though
the romance ones were especially big in the 1920s and 1930s. They were
made in France, but quite popular in England as well.
The dyes are exceptionally bright, brighter in person than in
reproduction. Some of them also have a metallic sheen. Many are written,
but in French (of which I know very little) so full/better translations
will have to wait. Interestingly, none of the written ones were mailed
or intended to be (no address, writing over the spot for the stamp,
etc), so they must have been given to the recipients. I am still working
on researching the social context, but for now, aren't they grand?
reproduction. Some of them also have a metallic sheen. Many are written,
but in French (of which I know very little) so full/better translations
will have to wait. Interestingly, none of the written ones were mailed
or intended to be (no address, writing over the spot for the stamp,
etc), so they must have been given to the recipients. I am still working
on researching the social context, but for now, aren't they grand?
[Since the original post I have collected several hundred of these cards and done a heap of research with them-- visit my site Mille Baisers for an online collection and more information!)
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| Personal collection |
The handwriting is this one is very hard to read but with words like
"beloved" and "tender" in it (in French), I think we can say it's a love
note.
"beloved" and "tender" in it (in French), I think we can say it's a love
note.
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| Personal collection |
Dated the 29th of September, but no year. "In response to your sweet
letter, take my dearest love, my best kisses, and my good thoughts.Soon,
Marie." (translated)
letter, take my dearest love, my best kisses, and my good thoughts.Soon,
Marie." (translated)
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| Personal collection |
Dated 17 June, 1924. The back is packed with writing in purple ink from Raymond to Irene.
26 January, 2013
Young Love in Japan
Photographs of young couples in Japan, 1958, shot by photographer John
Dominis for LIFE (though unpublished, as far as I can tell).
Dominis for LIFE (though unpublished, as far as I can tell).
31 March, 2012
A Scottish Bride
A sweet series documenting the courtship and wedding of an American
soldier and Scottish woman who met while he was stationed in the UK,
1944. At some point between meeting and getting married they met the
photographer, and re-staged some of the earlier parts for him, haha.
soldier and Scottish woman who met while he was stationed in the UK,
1944. At some point between meeting and getting married they met the
photographer, and re-staged some of the earlier parts for him, haha.
Dedicated to Grace. :)
A recreation of the soldier's first meeting with his girl, in Edinburgh. Source
A recreation of their first date, Edinburgh. Source
A recreation of their first kiss. Source
The soldier writing to his commanding officer asking permission to marry his girlfriend. Source
The couple travels by train to Windsor for their marriage ceremony. Source
Wedding! Source
The bride wipes lipstick off her new husband's face. Source
A kiss for the bride from her husband's commanding officer. Source
Tea in bed for the newlyweds (let's hope she-- and the photographer-- knocked first!). Source
A spot of honeymoon... rowing in the Thames. Source
The couple tours Windsor Castle. Source
A bit of window shopping in Windsor. Source
The newlyweds walk in Windsor Great Park. Source
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