RPPC. Private Collection.
The sailor’s hat reads H.M.S ROCKET. His standing brother is beautifully dressed in an outdoorsy suit with corduroy riding trousers. Love the patterned waistcoat with the striped tie…He had style.
RPPC: F.J. Seaman, Hall. York & Blackpool.
1940s Family picture.
This is in fact my cousin’s grandfather posing with his hands behind the back, Lucien Guillaume in a dapper suit. My cousin looks so much like him, and his name is Guillaume too.
1910’s Postcard of home wake. Private Collection. Click for larger image.
The third one lifted her at once
And he kissed her mouth, so pale.
“I still love you today, I love you more than ever.
I will love you in eternity!”
This image is very touching, the composition was very carefully balanced between the lover’s intimate goodbye and the rest of the family.
To the left in the foreground, the mother of the deceased young woman is mourning with her head and eyes lowered. She’s holding a white handkerchief in her hands and has a set of house keys hanging off her waist. She stands with the brothers of the kissing man -since he’s referred to as the third. The young man in the middle is offering the mother needed physical comfort with his arm on her back, his hat still in hand. The other looks to be comforting her with words instead.
In the background and behind curtains the third grieving gentleman and sweetheart of the deceased woman left his hat on the steps to give his lost love a last kiss goodbye. She lays on the bed with a wraith matching white flower in her curly hair.
This Edwardian postcard approaches this sad human experience with subtle yet powerful imagery. There’s a touch of comfort too: their love is eternal and unwavering, even after death. Again this all feels timeless, yet today you would see this sort of scene at the hospital instead.
Note on back.
This card was posted at the dawn of the first World War from Frankfurt, Germany on October 26th, 1914. The sender was Nach Langer and the recipient Miss Elisabeth Kunst.
Edwardian French couple. Dagoreau RPPC. Private Collection.
A gorgeous couple mailing from Charente, France. Bertha is sporting the “Gibson look” so in vogue at the time with the extra small waist and pinned hair in a loose bun. Her husband is classically dapper in the matching starched frock suit with the creased pants and high collar. The photographer logo is embossed on the bottom right.
Postcards were mailed so quickly they were the equivalent of today’s text messages.
We’re coming home tomorrow Tuesday. To cherished friendship. Best wishes from Charentes.
Bertha Georges
Photographer: Dagoreau. France.
Cyanotype. A. Noyer romantic postcard. Private Collection.
Sometimes less is more, and in the case of this postcard it is exceedingly true. I find this image incredibly sexy. The way she looks into the distance with her arm resting under the head. And his light kiss on the curve of her jaw.
I find it interesting the picture was shot vertically with the man on top, yet the postcard company decided to publish it horizontally. Well, I choose to post this picture the way it was shot. If Americans could do really sweet and funny postcards, this one proves the French did the sexy with flair. A hundred years later this image still feels timelessly gorgeous and sensual.
Photographer: Alfred Noyer. France.
Bowlers And High Collars 