Prison

On the Ile de Ré, which is just across the bridge from here, there was a notorious prison. Do you remember the 1973 film Papillon with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman? In the film ‘Papillon’ was deported from the Ile de Ré. This card shows prisoners arriving around 1907, A little earlier than the story took place. There is still a prison on the Ile de Ré today.

Unfortunately, although interesting, the postcard is in a very poor state. The stamp has been torn from the front of the card and there are lots of creases.

Multi-babies!

Thanks to Alec I now know that these postcards are called multi-babies . The stamp is on the back of this one which was sent before 1904. Imagine finding all of these on your doorstep.

Dream chateau

For me this is a magical card. The way it’s faded over the last hundred years . Look at the reflections on the water.

A day at the races

In 1908 the babies were at the races.

Feeding time

This is the solution for every parent with an ever hungry baby to feed. I can’t help thinking they would have to have a very strong suck. The card is over 100 years old.

Château de Chillon

I mentioned to Peter the other day that I didn’t have any cards of Chillon castle. Well now I’ve come across two while sorting out the cards from last months auction – yes, I’m still working on them!

The coloured card is pre 1903 and I presume the flowery attachment would have been artificial edelweiss. The black and white card I would describe as semi-modern which would be after 1945 - I could be wrong.

Click on the cards to see them more clearly.