Stebbing: La Cigale et la Fourmi · Carlson Fable Collection

Title

Stebbing: La Cigale et la Fourmi

Description

1905? Complete set of five photographic postcards presenting "La Cigale et la Fourmi," VBC Series Number 3045. Stebbing Photographic Studios. Five cards and two extras for #35 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18. Extra of the first card in the series for $3 from Elsa Pinto, Paco de Arcos, Portugal, June, '13. Extra of #5 for $1.50 from Joachim Montbord, La Sauve, France, through eBay, March, '04.

The story here follows La Fontaine but stresses the emotional experience of the cicada. It is hard to be sure of the order of the cards. I presume the sequence runs like this: (1) The lovely cicada sings before the ant requesting food. (2) With trembling hand, she then asks out of her poverty for charity and compassion. (3) But asking this neighbor is useless. (4) "You have sung well, but you have not amassed things as I have. You will have to dance." (5) Poor cicada, abandoned! How sad! There is extensive pink coloring of these black-and-white pictures. I wonder how that was done. Stebbing follows up with a sequel, "Revanche de la Cigale," VBC Series #3046, using the same characters, actors, and setting.

Date

1905?

Source

Extra of the first card in the series for $3 from Elsa Pinto, Paco de Arcos, Portugal, June, '13. Extra of #5 for $1.50 from Joachim Montbord, La Sauve, France, through eBay, March, '04.