Paris dreams. . .

Bonjour, ces't  moi!

Hello, everyone!  I've been too long from blogging.  I hope there are still some of you who want to read this:

Like so many of you out there, I am enamored with all that has to do with anything French, and especially anything to do with the City of Lights: 

Paris 

Although I've not yet been to visit, I dream of the day that I'll be there to soak up the beauty and atmosphere. . .

Last year, I bought a very special folio of prints that were produced for a well known department store in Paris c. early 1900's:

This lovely album most likely gave someone before me a glimpse into a world they could only travel to in their dreams.  And now, I am the dreamer who is lucky to share this with you today. . .a hundred years later.

Please click on any of these pictures to enlarge

Galeries Lafayette Folio

This was a very exciting find for me, because it contained photographs from a time that I find to be very fascinating, the early part of the last Century.  I do believe that these were captured before the First World War (pre-1920), and show the every day goings about of the people who were living in and around a buzzing metropolis, one of the most important cities in the world at that time.

Early 20th Century Camera

Following are scans of the ones I found most intriguing:

Panoramic of Paris

Paris Stock Market

Paris Street Scene

I want to DIVE into these street scenes!  I want to be one of these people who are going about their business, maybe on their way to work, even!  This last one (above) has SO MUCH activity and bustle about it. . .young and old, women, men, children. . .day laborers, people of importance. . .in the left of this photograph are two women gossiping outside of a shop, on the right you see a boy with (most likely) his mother and father. . .but in the very center of this, running across the road is a young woman, dodging the horse carts and automobiles.  I wonder where she was going.  Was she running an errand?  Did she work at one of the shops on this boulevard?  Oh, the stories that could be dreamed up for each of these pedestrians. . .

The Paris Opera

And then there is this gloriously populated scene at the Paris Opera.  My guess is that it must be a very important opening for everyone looks to be well dressed for the occasion. .

Close up of The Paris Opera

I've enlarged this one to hone in on the gentlemen in the foreground because that brings me to a subject that I REALLY want to share with you.

Antique/Vintage Parasols and Umbrellas

One of my favorite collections consists of antique and vintage parasols and umbrellas.  I have been collecting these for several years, and am excited to share some of my favorites with you today.

The above photograph shows several men toting these utilitarian devices.

Collection of antique umbrellas

Close up of antique umbrella handles

Now, honestly!  Aren't these handles beautiful?  I just love the detail. . .the mother of pearl and gold and Bakelite that was used to distinguish one from another.  While the useful part (which kept the user protected from the elements) was everyday black, there was an individuality reserved for the portion that would have been held close to the owner.  This, to me, I find most desirable, and I cherish those I have.  In future posts I will share my parasol collection. . .

Detail of handle engravings

Frames Print from Paris folio

I removed a couple of the prints from this portfolio and matted/framed to display in one of my bedrooms.  Please don't judge too harshly on this matting job. . .our mat cutter wasn't working properly and it's kind of wonky.   I just wanted you to see what I was able to do with an inexpensive frame that I used chalk pain on. . .cost was less than $5.  I'll definitely be re-cutting that mat, though.

   Well, that's all for now, but I have more posts that will be coming shortly.  Besides the parasols, I have a serious obsession for ribbons. . .

The zinnias and snapdragons are from my garden, and I proudly grew these from seed this year.  Lavender grows profusely here.

I do hope you've enjoyed this post, and if, like me, you've never been to Paris. . .

Let's pretend we have!

Milleurs voeux!

Cynthia

I will be sharing this post with the following parties.  Please visit these hosts:

How Sweet The Sound Pink Saturday

Bella Rosa Antiques