Amorous LaF Fables

Title

Amorous LaF Fables

Description

Here is a delightful set of cards. They use fables to offer an initial description of romantic moments, apparently always between soldiers-in-uniform and beautifully dressed young women. Then there is a little poem to advise the participants in the fable's scene. If I read these poems correctly, they at least sometimes urge maidens to gather rosebuds while they may.

1917 "Les Fables de la Fontaine: Le Corbeau et le Renard." #51. Unmarked. €8 from Haon Cartophilie, Begues, at the Paris Post Card Exhibition, Jan., '05.

What I get from the French verse here is "Watch out that you don't believe this flatterer!" This picture presents a style in clothing that I do not know. What is that woman wearing on her legs?! And where is her waist?

1917 "Les Fables de la Fontaine: Le Renard et les Raisins." #54. Dated Sept. 24, 1917. 30 Francs from P. Bresch, Clignancourt, August, '01. Extra copy from James Longworth, Apopka, FL.

This card brings together La Fontaine's fable and the French "girly" postcard. At first I presumed that the verse on the picture side of the card was from the fable. It is not. A rough translation runs this way: "Seeing his prey escape him, he says to himself, I must have been mistaken, and certainly these attractions did not deserve so much expense. But he would have wanted to check, up close, to see if he had been right!"

1917 "Les Fables de la Fontaine: Le Loup et l'Agneau." #52. Unmarked. €8 from Haon Cartophilie, Begues, at the Paris Post Card Exhibition, Jan., '05.

"Watch out, young woman, that you are not too cruel. If you resist, you have to fear that this wolf will snatch you away. Believe that he does not have a hard tooth; his bite will be delicious!" My! How will he ever get around the brim of that hat of hers?

1917 "Les Fables de La Fontaine: Le Lièvre et la Tortue." Sent in 1917. €7 from cpcr9588, April, '22.

Here is another fascinating card in this surprising and even beautiful series. He wants to hurry to their apartment and she wants to go less quickly. He says that he has waited a long time for this moment. Lovely coloration!

Date

1917

Subject

Cards See all items with this value

Postcards See all items with this value

Postcard Series See all items with this value

The Fox and the Crow See all items with this value

The Fox and the Grapes See all items with this value

The Wolf and the Lamb See all items with this value

The Tortoise and the Hare See all items with this value