1900? Set of twelve Au Bon Marché La Fontaine cards, 4" x 5 3/8", in oriental style. Printed by J.E. Goossens in Paris and Lille. 60 Francs each from Annick Tilly at the Clignancourt flea market, August, '99.
These are rich in gold with bright colors and make a strong oriental impression. The front of each, framed in gold, has "Au Bon Marché" at the top and a title and one-line moral at the bottom. On the verso we find again "Au Bon Marché" at the top, followed by a title and the verse fable of La Fontaine. At the bottom is a notice of Gossens and a printer's decoration. I have eight extras; the total number for each card, if greater than one, is indicated in the parentheses.
1900? Set of six mechanical Au Bon Marché La Fontaine cards, 3⅞" x 5⅞" (extended 6"). Printed by Leopold Verger, Paris. €375 for the set from French Antique Collections, July, '22. One extra set a gift of French Antique Collections, July, '22.
The seller offered very helpful information. This set of six comes from the collection of the great grandson of a director of Bon Marché who purchased them new so they were never issued to the public. The six cards are: 1 Le Savatier Et Le Financier; 2 Le Singe Et Le Chat; 3 Les Voleurs Et L'Ane; 4 L'Huitre Et Les Plaideurs; 5 La Cigale Et La Fourmi; 6 La Laitiere Et Le Pot Au Lait. Each card has two views, the second illustrating the moral, with an advertisement for Le Bon Marché on the reverse.
1900? La Fontaine. Six large (almost 6" x 9") cards titled "Au Bon Marché" each with an ornately framed colored image by Maurice Leloir. Paris: E. Barret. 50 Francs each from Annick Tilly at the Clignancourt flea market, August, '99. Extra copies of "La Vielle & les Deux Servantes" and "Le Loup, la Mere & l'Enfant" for the same price from Annick, July, '01.
Each card lists "Au Bon Marché" at the top of the front and back. GA and "Les Deux Pigeons" are translated into entirely human scenes. While the style of the art is not to my taste, the colored printing is lovely on these well preserved cards. The ornate framing of the scene may sometimes be more engaging than the scene! Included are also MM, "L'Asne & le Petit Chien," "Le Loup, la Mere & l'Enfant," and "La Vieille & les Deux Servantes."
1900? Fables de Florian. J.J. Grandville. Eight cards, just over 6¼" x 4½", advertising Au Bon Marché, presenting fables of Florian and illustrated in color by J.J. Grandville. Engraved by H. Demoulin and printed by Draeger Frères. From Annick Tilly at the Clignancourt flea market for about 50 Francs each, August, '99 and July, '01. "Le Linot" for $14 from McIaren Enterprises, Nottingham, England, through Ebay, August, '00. "La Tourterelle et la Fauvette" for €3 at Paris Post Card Exhibit, Jan., '05. Extras of "Les deux Chats," "La Guenon, le Singe et la Noix," and "Le Hibou et le Pigeon," the latter cropped.
Each card lists "Au Bon Marché" at the top of both front and back. The front of the card then presents a delightful Grandville scene, including the usual dressed human animals. Under Grandville's signature is a title for the fable scene and, in parentheses, "Fables de Florian." The back identifies Au Bon Marché as "Maison A. Boucicaut" in Paris, restates "Fables de Florian," and lists the engraver and printer under the full text. A note on the back of one of the cards from Annick indicated that there are six in the series. Now that--having found "Le Linot" and "La Tourterelle et la Fauvette"--I have eight, that remark seems to have been premature. While all the illustrations are done in portrait format, half of the texts are in landscape format.
1890? Two blue hidden picture fable cards presenting MSA and FS. Title and question are written in cursive script. $14 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18.
Each card has a fable title and question within the image portion near the top. "Where is the son?" and "Where is the stork?" There is nothing on the verso. I did not find these easy! In MSA, it is tempting to take the mill, with its resemblance to a human face, as the easy answer. Click on the card to see a bigger version and on "Resolved" to see a solution.
1950? Le Coq et le Renard." Blotter presented by Les Excellentes Gaufrettes Rivoire et Jeandet. "Fables de la Fontaine." $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, Feb., '02.
This blotter seems to be rather an advertisement for a series than a member of it. Apparently Rivoire and Jeandet's wafers come in various kinds of packages, and the latest package is titled "Fables de la Fontaine." The collection comprises 84 images in, as the blotter proclaims, very pretty coloring. The story in the lovely cartoon here is UP. The (fictive?) dog seen by the cock appears on the top of the hill. The climax of the advertisement is classic: "Collect a unique collection of the fables of La Fontaine while enjoying the wafers of Rivoire & Jeandet." As it happens, now, three years later, I have found the full set of 84 cards!
1950? Blotter from Biscottes Soleil d'Or" picturing the fox and crow in vivid colors. $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '05.
In this clever design, the well-dressed fox holds out his high silk hat to catch the cheese when it falls. As in so many cases, this is a "Bon Buvard," a bonus gift that came in a package of "Sun of Gold" cookies.
1970? Blotter from "Aux Arts Ménagers," that is, household arts. Apparently this store offers heating, furniture, paper goods, toys. Saint-Brieuc. Four panels picturing La Fontain's "The Heron." $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '05.
This is one of the simplest French blotters I have found. The four panels trace four stages of the heron's dining day. Together they demonstrate the fate of picky taste! A quick check could not find the store or firm operating any more.
1975? Blotter advertising "Super Biscottes Sablées Saint Honoré" illustrating DW. Green and red on yellow blotter paper. 11¼" x 3⅛". $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '03.
This blotter -- if indeed it is a blotter -- has an unusual size and shape. The cartoon has a dog luxuriating -- on bread cushions? -- and smoking a cigar. "Les biscottes qui honorent votre table!" "Vente reservée a la boulangerie." "Garanties exemptaes de tous produits chimiques." These cookies have everything!
1930? Six large (5½" x 8⅜") colored advertisements for Blédine nutriments offering an illustration and a text for a fable of La Fontaine. $48 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18. Twelve further advertisements for €21.25 through Ebay from Eric Leneuf, Talant, France, July, ’21, including “The Fish and the Shepherd Playing the Flute”; “The Crow Wanting to Imitate the Eagle”; “The Woodcutter and Mercury”; “The Robbers and the Ass”; “The Cook and the Swan”; and “The Lion Subdued by the Man.” Four extras for €11.77 from bill2100 through Ebay, March, ’21. Six extras for €12.41 from chromosetcollections through Ebay, Jan., ’21.
Blédine seems to have offered the right food for infants after mother's milk, perhaps something like cream of wheat. They also produced Blécao. These are very nicely colored illustrations. As so often, the French seem to want children to act out their fables, even if they lose some of their meaning in the process. I wonder, for example, if the TB fable does not lose its significance when the "bear" surprising the travelers is a costumed child. The text on some of these pages overflows onto the verso among the advertising. These are not really "cards," either in size or paper stock, but they are closer to trade cards than they are to most advertisements.
1930? Six large (5½" x 8⅜") colored advertisements for Blédine nutriments offering an illustration and a text for a fable of La Fontaine. $48 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18. Twelve further advertisements for €21.25 through Ebay from Eric Leneuf, Talant, France, July, ’21, including “The Fish and the Shepherd Playing the Flute”; “The Crow Wanting to Imitate the Eagle”; “The Woodcutter and Mercury”; “The Robbers and the Ass”; “The Cook and the Swan”; and “The Lion Subdued by the Man.” Four extras for €11.77 from bill2100 through Ebay, March, ’21. Six extras for €12.41 from chromosetcollections through Ebay, Jan., ’21. Three more extras for €8.75 from maconlection through Ebay, Oct., '22.
Blédine seems to have offered the right food for infants after mother's milk, perhaps something like cream of wheat. They also produced Blécao. These are very nicely colored illustrations. As so often, the French seem to want children to act out their fables, even if they lose some of their meaning in the process. I wonder, for example, if the TB fable does not lose its significance when the "bear" surprising the travelers is a costumed child. The text on some of these pages overflows onto the verso among the advertising. These are not really "cards," either in size or paper stock, but they are closer to trade cards than they are to most advertisements.
1960? Biscottes St. Honoré. Three blotters roughly 6" x 6½" picturing LM (cream), FC (yellow), and TH (pink). Each is labeled "Buvard extra a conserver." Vauréal: Biscottes de France. 40 Francs each from Annick Tilly at Clignancourt, August, '99. A similar blotter but advertising Biscottes Ch. Bezard with the same FC design, now in pink. €3 from argos30 on Ebay, Oct., '21.
Each blotter also gives an address in Seine. Might the telephone numbers (LON 20-32 in Seine and just 36 in Vauréal) be the best evidence for dating these? The pictures are fun. The lion, released from his nets, is opening a box of St. Honoré biscuits. The tortoise and hare are racing almost neck and neck for a biscuit prize. And you can guess what the fox has in hands while the crow either weeps or sweats visible drops! The addition of a second brand name not in Seine but in Vaureal raises good questions!
1960? Biscottes Hirondelle. With small cartoon views of FC and WL. Signed (at least FC) by J.L. Pesch. 5" x 6¾". Fabrication de la S.P.R.A.E., Corbeil, Essonnes. $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '02.
"Biscottes a l'Estomac…légères/Comme l'Hirondelle a l'Air." The fox asks the bespectacled crow where the cheese has gone, and the wolf says he thought he had seen a lamb jumping around. I ask myself if this blotter was not the label for the melba toasts announced here. There is a clear price ("Le Paquet 100 Frs") and a notation "28 Tranches." The blotter also mentions "sans produits chimiques").
1960? Biscottes Hirondelle. With a large cartoon view of TH. 5⅞" x 6¼". Fabrication de la S.P.R.A.E., Corbeil, Essonnes. $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '03.
"Biscottes a l'Estomac…légères/Comme l'Hirondelle a l'Air." This blotter contains much of the same information as the other Biscottes Hirondelle blotter, but has a different design. The size is slightly different. Here there is one scene. The printing job's colors are much better coordinated. The finishing turtle seems to wave his handkerchief at the hastening hare behind him. There is no price on this blotter, as there was on the other. The blotter again mentions "sans produits chimiques."
1960? Biscottes Hirondelle. With a large cartoon view of WL. 5⅞" x 6¼". Fabrication de la S.P.R.A.E., Corbeil, Essonnes. $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '05. Extra copy lacking the "Fabrication…Essonnes" sta
"Biscottes a l'Estomac…légères/Comme l'Hirondelle a l'Air." This blotter contains much of the same information as the other Biscottes Hirondelle blotters. Here there is one scene. The printing job's colors are well coordinated. The artist contrasts the energetic wolf with the demure lamb as the latter sheds a tear.
1960? Biscottes Hirondelle. With a large cartoon view of FC. 5⅞" x 6¼". $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '05.
"Biscottes a l'Estomac…légères/Comme l'Hirondelle a l'Air." This blotter contains much of the same information as the other Biscottes Hirondelle blotters. Here there is one scene. The printing job's colors are well coordinated. The fox allows the crow to drop the cheese right into his waiting hat.
1960? Biscottes Hirondelle. With a large cartoon view of "The Cat, the Weasel, and the Little Rabbit." 5⅞" x 6¼". Fabrication de la S.P.R.A.E., Corbeil, Essonnes. $7 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18.
"Biscottes a l'Estomac…légères/Comme l'Hirondelle a l'Air." This blotter contains much of the same information as the other Biscottes Hirondelle blotters. Here there is one scene. The printing job's colors are fairly well coordinated. The energetic cat farmer has a surprise for his two clients. The figure of the weasel with her umbrella is particularly well executed, I believe.
1956? Biscottes Exona. 8. OF. Biscottes de Régime. 5¾" x 6½". Société des Produits Rationnels d'Alimentation Exona. Essonnes (S.-&-O.). Paris: Imp. S.E.R.T. $5 from Mme Denise Debuigne, Rennes, France, May, '03.
A multicolored picture of the expanding frog graces the upper left of this colorful blotter. Poids Moyen 350 Grams.
1999 Birthday greeting card featuring TH. 6¾" x 4¾". Illustration by Clare Mackie. Boston/Paris: Graphique de France. Gift of Mary Pat Ryan, Nov., '99.
A hurrying tortoise extends an envelope to an eager hare. The caption inside reads "Better late than never! Happy Birthday."
2022? Original prints from Bilby Boutique, Glasgow. A6. BW and "The Wolf and the Kid." €3.08 each from Bilby Boutique through Etsy, July, '22.
I am delighted any time I see artists turn to fables for their subject matter. Here each print brings a good sense of whimsy to its dangerous scene: through the musical score and the kid's dance in one and through the wolf's ears floating in space behind the laughing boy in the other. The first print was presented on my Etsy -- which strangely wants to deal with me in German -- as "The Wolf and the Child." I suspect that "kid" was translated into German poorly (probably as "Kind", and then was translated back into English quite literally as "Child." Strange!
1983 Big George. TH cartoon. "What do I get if I win?" asks a man at a starting line between tortoise and hare. Signed "Vip" and dated 5-12. Appeared in the Omaha World-Herald of Thursday, May 12, 1983. Copyright 1983 Field Enterprises, Inc.
Does that bunny have a black eye? I am not sure that I get the joke here….
1991? "The Elephant and the Hare." Bidpay. 13th century. Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. Printed in Germany. Munich: Aries Verlag. Sent by Deborah Ruck, May, '93.
The scene very closely approximates "Fairuz with the King of the Elephants" on 42 of Esin Atil's Kalila wa Dimna (1981). No doubt the hare is fooling the elephant into believing that the moon in the water is speaking and asking the elephant tribe to leave her sacred waters alone. They had been killing the hares without even knowing it by walking on them.
