The black cat

We went to another auction last week and bought some new stock which we are really pleased with. I’m already starting to pick up the story of another family who moved around France because the man of the house was a bank manager.

I was charmed by this handmade card. I imagine that the little girl was staying with her grandparents when she received this card from her favourite Uncle! The stamp is real, but he’s painted a false postmark over it.

So that’s how it was done!

In 1900 this is how childless parents acquired their offspring. Babies cost 20 marks!

Swings

An hundred years ago children were enjoying the same things as they do today. When were you last on a swing?

There goes the train!

You will have to click on this card so that you can see the train going over the viaduct. I’ve also scanned the back so that you can see the beautiful handwriting. This postcard was sent in 1903 or before. Any messages had to be written on the front of the card up until that year.





Also, what a simple address for a large city, the name of the street and ‘Paris’; I don’t think it would be delivered today. I googled the address, 45 Rue Alexandre Dumas, and discovered that Alexandre Dumas (The Three Musketeers) used to live at 45 Rue du Mont Blanc!

Hot sand between my toes

This postcard appealed to me because of the energy the girls are putting into their digging. It reminded me of days at the seaside with my sisters. Look how warmly wrapped up the women are who were watching. The card says ‘Les enfants au travail’ – Children at work. Judging by the stamp, the postcard was sent in the early 1920’s.