Four Vintage France Postcards: (1) First, one Vintage France postcard, unused, with caption "Bethune - Caserne La Feiullade" indicating publisher as "Levis Fils & Cie, Paris". No Stamp. No Postmark. Never Postally Used. This Levis Fils specimen is a significant record of the "Garrison Heritage" of Northern France, capturing a piece of Béthune that was largely transformed or destroyed during the heavy bombardments of the First World War. The Caserne La Feuillade was a prominent military barracks in Béthune. Named after the Maréchal de La Feuillade, these barracks were central to the town's identity as a strategic hub in the Pas-de-Calais. The architecture typically featured the high-pitched roofs and brickwork characteristic of the region.
(2) Second, one Vintage France postcard, unused, with caption "E.S. 2307. Environs de Marquise (P. de C.) - Ferques. Ferme de Beaulieu, ruine de l'Abbaye fondée par les religieux Augustine au XIIe siècle" without indicating publisher. No Stamp. No Postmark. Never Postally Used. While the publisher is not explicitly named, the alphanumeric code "E.S. 2307" is a strong diagnostic tool for identifying the printer. The prefix "E.S." is the hallmark of Ernest Sourrieu, a prolific Parisian publisher active during the Golden Age. Sourrieu was known for his vast numbered series that covered nearly every "Environs" (outlying area) of France. His cards are characterized by high-quality Collotype printing, which provides the fine, grainy detail necessary to appreciate the textures of ancient stone. The location "P. de C." in the caption stands for "Pas-de-Calais", the department where Marquise and Ferques are located. This card captures a site of deep historical layering, where agricultural life and monastic history intersect. The Abbey was founded in the 12th century (XIIe siècle) by the Augustinian order, the Abbaye de Beaulieu was a significant religious center in the Middle Ages. By the time of this photograph (c. 1910), the abbey was already a "ruine" incorporated into the Ferme de Beaulieu (Beaulieu Farm).
(3) Third, one Vintage France postcard, unused, with caption "Chambord - L'Eglise et l'Ecole, vue prise du Chateau. A. P." indicating the publisher as "A. Papeghin, Imp.-Edit., Tours-Paris.". No Stamp. No Postmark. Never Postally Used. Albert Papeghin was a major figure in the "Châteaux of the Loire" postcard industry. The initials "A. P." on the front are his signature branding. Operating between Tours and Paris, Papeghin specialized in high-end Collotype and Heliotype prints that appealed to the sophisticated tourists visiting the Loire. Papeghin was known for seeking out "Elevated Perspectives." By taking the photo from the Château, he captured the relationship between the grand royal residence and the functional village that supported it. This card captures the Church of Saint-Louis and the village school of Chambord.
(3) Fourth, one Vintage France postcard, unused, with caption "Rouen - Le Palais de Justice ensemble vu de la Rue des Juifs - LL.." indicating the publisher as "Levy et Neurdein Réunis, 44, Rue Letellier, Paris, Imp.". No Stamp. No Postmark. Never Postally Used. The Publisher Levy et Neurdein Réunis, was the result of the merger of the Levy Fils (LL) and Neurdein (ND) firms in 1920 created a photographic powerhouse in Paris. The "LL" initials on the front were the hallmark of the Levy family, known for their crisp, professional views of French monuments. The Address at 44, Rue Letellier, Paris was the headquarters for the combined entity. This address helps date the card specifically to the post-1920 era, during the firm's most dominant period. This card utilizes high-grade Collotype. The Palais de Justice in Rouen is one of the most significant examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. Originally the seat of the Parliament of Normandy, the building is famous for its elaborate spires, gargoyles, and stone "lace." The view from the Rue des Juifs (Street of the Jews) is a classic vantage point that emphasizes the building's massive scale
Dimensions:
9 mm x 14 mm
Pickup category timeslot {A}
