French Postcards: An Album of Vintage Erotica [Hardcover]

Martin Stevens (Author)

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Product Details

Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Universe (Jan 23 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0789315343
ISBN-13: 978-0789315342
Product Dimensions: 19.9 x 13.5 x 2.3 cm
Shipping Weight: 544 g
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #115,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #56 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Subjects > Nudes
- #85 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Erotic Photography

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Product Description

Long before pin-ups, Playboy, or the Internet, enterprising Parisians at the turn of the 20th-century turned the relatively new invention of the camera toward the female nude. Artfully posed with classical architecture or in flirtatious dishabille with stockings and lingerie, the winking models embody the erotic fantasies of a repressed society. Some of the women shown are demure and shy, wearing a slip or low-cut blouse-a great tease in an age when showing an ankle was scandalous. Their daring glimpses of decolletage carry a particular charge, so rare in today's world of overexposure. These cards were sold, often in packets, at street kiosks and under tabac counters, hush-hush but nevertheless ubiquitous. As foreigners flooded the city in the early part of the 20th-century, the cards became cherished souvenirs that were secretly collected and shared among men abroad. This is when the phrase "French postcards" became a euphemistic code for erotic nude images. These lovely ladies evoke a campy nostalgia that celebrates a healthy, voluptuous ideal of sensual feminine beauty. More retro than raunchy, French Postcards has the saucy fun of a naughty valentine, sure to charm and entertain a friend or lover.

About the Author

Martin Stevens is the former art director for Revlon and avidly collects vintage photography.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com ^(beta)

Amazon.com: 4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed very much, Aug 25 2007

By A. Browder "bbrowderphoto.com" - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: French Postcards: An Album of Vintage Erotica (Hardcover)

Being a photographer and collector,and just a big fan of that era of photography I enjoyed this book very much. First of all the styling of the book is excellant. The feel of the old photo album is very well done. I enjoyed the foreword and introduction also, it gives a lot of information about that era. Its ashame that such a big part of photography and art history remains such a mystery being it was considered "naugthy" back then. But this book does answer many questions. Not to mention the many many examples of the cards and photos themselves. I would recommend this book to add to your collection of french postcards and as an excellant reference.

Thanks

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The French really do know, Aug 31 2007

By M. Grooms "corky" - Published on Amazon.com

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: French Postcards: An Album of Vintage Erotica (Hardcover)

A beautifully designed book that I love holding in my hands. I am a photographer and bought this book for inspiration for boudoir and portraiture. The paper, quality of images, and design that went into this are all worth the time and price.
Although the pages are smaller than I'd like, it feels rather intimate as you browse (and most the images are full page)
A real artistry in the photographs, unlike many other books Ive purchased in this genre.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive, Feb 6 2012

By M. Feygin - Published on Amazon.com

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: French Postcards: An Album of Vintage Erotica (Hardcover)

Good quality and a very good collection of rare postcards. I have been looking for a book like this for a long time

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews 4.8 out of 5 stars