Soldier Boy

While the preponderance of men in uniform depicted in romantic postcards unsurprising declined after World War One, soldiers still made appearances in postcard form through the 20s. Sometimes there is no difference between the soldier and the civilian lover, as in the first two cards. However, cards with soldiers often went quite a bit racier than the norm among mainstream postcards (though there were flat-out dirty postcards made in France in this period as well (just search Biederer postcards...but not at work!)) This trend is perhaps a continuation of that started in World War One, when images of chaste Victorian courting abruptly turned to pictures of women and solders in bed (albeit clothed). It seems perhaps this extra permissibly granted to men in service continued to some degree. 

personal collection

personal collection

An erased message. 

Exceptional Embellishment

Though it would seem bright colours and hand-tinting would be more than enough, sometimes makers and/or consumers thought these cards could use even more. It is not uncommon to see cards with golden ink, dramatic frames, or glitter in addition to colour. These cards go beyond even that.

personal collection

That ribbon is an actual, shiny ribbon that has been affixed to the postcard, in addition to the glitter in her hair. 

personal collection

Awkward Poses

Very few of the poses adopted by these models could ever be accused of being realistic, but some are just so artificial and unnatural it almost makes you cringe...

personal collection

personal collection

Joyeux Pacques

"Joyeux Pacques," of course, is French for Happy Easter. Happy Easter!!

personal collection

personal collection

Just Lie Back...

A fairly common set-up, no doubt inspired by film, involves the woman lying back on a fancy sofa or chair while the man romances her. 

personal collection

A Willy and Aline card. 

personal collection

The Geometric Backdrop

Around 1931, Art Deco hit these postcards. Creators experimented with Art Deco-inspired frames, and, more often, backdrops painted with striking geometric designs. I've already shared one stunning example; here are several more. All are also metallic. 

personal collection

Incidentally, though this postcard is French, made by PC Paris, it has been printed with a Dutch greeting, and mailed in the Netherlands. To make things even more interesting, it was sent in 1943. 

personal collection

Letters

A very sweet (and stunning) pair of postcards evoking love through letters. 

personal collection

personal collection

Coastal Romance

Around 1931, the makers of these postcards decided that really nowhere was more romantic than a rocky coast:

personal collection

(great shoes, eh?)

personal collection

Poisson D'Avril

In France, April Fool's Day has long been associated with fish. Why? Apparently "the origins are unclear." Darn! Well, for whatever reason, a fish it is. Back in the days of the postcard craze, April 1st cards were common, almost always using fish as a central motif-- people holding fish, fish personified (I recently saw a postcard of two fish pushing a baby fish in a stroller), fish as random parts of the design. These postcards did it too. 

personal collection

personal collection