1900? Two long tapestries formed from panels presenting fables of La Fontaine. About 10' x 18". Backed substantially.
In the 1980's I visited, among other New Orleans antiques stories, Wirthmore Antiques, specializing in French country antiques. I noticed two tapestries. I asked the owner, Gay Wirth, if she knew that these were representations of the fables of La Fontaine, and I walked through the fables pictured there. Were the tapestries, I asked, for sale? "No," she answered. "They are for now part of our décor. But I will be happy to get in touch with you when we change the décor." I was happy to look forward to that day! In 2018, I happened to be visiting New Orleans again. In the midst of an enjoyable visit, I wondered whatever had happened to Wirthmore Antiques. It turned out that they still were in business, though they had moved from their original venue. I called, and Ms. Wirth was delighted that I did. "Oh, Father, we had lost your name. We still have the tapestries. Could you come tomorrow?" I came and she laid out those two lovely tapestries that I had loved at first sight. Ms. Wirth said she was impressed with the fable collection and wanted to contribute the two tapestries! What a great gift! On the train ride home, when I needed to move to visit the dining car, I remember carrying the tapestries, nicely bundled at the antiques store, on my shoulder. I would not let them out of my sight!
2001 Full Setanant Set of Four Fable Stamp Pairs from India. Mint. Never hinged. Both stamps in each pair are marked "400." $8.50 from Vasanthi Balson, Columbus, OH, through eBay, Oct., '02.One extra set from the same source at the same price at the same time.
The four stories are from Kalila and Dimna. Each is really two stamps that make up a single picture with two scenes. The art is somewhat Disneyesque, particularly in the scene of the lion looking down the well and seeing his own reflection. The artist has worked to integrate the two parts of each scene, e.g., with the sun that joins the two parts of TT and the tree that forms the edge of both scenes in "The Monkey and the Crocodile." These stamps are attractive!
1880? Complete set of 12 cards with blue backing similar in format to the above two sets, but with two last cards with unusual and repetitive numbering. By MD Mauclair Ironside, according to the seller. €60 from Fabrice Carmier, Genay, through Ebay, May, '22.
Four of these cards duplicate those we have by Mauclair and Dacier, namely those beginning with 9, 33, 57, and 73. Six others fill in around them to form a perfectly numbered set up until the cards beginning 77 and 81. Those two cards, pictured here, have predictable numbers across the top but unpredictable numbers in either one box (77) or both boxes (81). Put together the first ten here and the last two from Mauclair and Dacier and we have a full and predictable set! These boards are somewhat bowed but still lovely.
2017 Full 4x3 sheet of four "Literature Heritage of Russia Fables" stamps. 35p apiece. FG, TH, CJ, and WC. $14.30 from Alexander Tanakin, Moscow, through eBay, July, '18.
I think I know the particular value for philatelists of having a full sheet of a given stamp or series of stamps. I am not sure what it adds to produce the same stamps in staggered rows. This format gives Russians a chance to see the title in their own language and in English.
