Valentine's Day Postcards

From France, the capital of romance : ) My favourite is the last card showing the overjoyed boy jumping up and down! Would love to know what the french words means, could not get a clear translation on babel fish : ) cheers!

See my previous post for another postcard that I got for this series : )

Postcard Friendship Friday!

Hey, I think I am a bitty late but here's a postcard from France for the postcard friendship friday. France is known for romance, fine cuisine and wine so I though I must at least get some romance related postcards from there : ) Will post more of these series tomorrow. In the meantime, do check out postcard friendship friday at Marie's site!

Tree

Another Christmas present that we received. Hand painted by a dear friend of ours, we were surprised to receive this canvas painting. I personally liked this painting very much, having seen it being displayed at her place during visits. The mood of the drawing captures my attention. The bright feeling that the flowers gives amids a dark backdrop of the evening sky.. kinda of feel like a ray of hope in any given season. Above all, the colour combi rocks. A special drawing from a special friend of ours.

The Lion, The Elephant & The Giraffe

Printed in France

Created for Ikea Sweden. These series of postcards are extremely well suited for the art decor in a children's room. Used these postcards in the room of my 2 young boys. Ikea has a series of postcards that is engaging and well liked. Having been an avid collector of postcards for so many years, it is quite normal for me to accumulate many of Ikea designs. Over the next few days, I will share them with you all!

SG-13224

This postcard will be travelling 3,801kms to Shanghai, China!

NORD Express by Cassandre Adolphe Mouron

Printed in Holland

1999

Another classic from "Art Unlimited Amsterdam"

Cassandre (1901 – 1968) was a groundbreaking French painter who revitalized advertising poster design and successfully manipulated its psychological impact. Born Adolphe Mouron Cassandre, he created revolutionary posters intended to be seen from fast-moving vehicles. He initiated the concept of a group of posters viewed in rapid succession to form a complete idea. Cassandre also theorized that words and images must instantly trigger emotions and mental associations. Influenced by Cubism, his posters were highly geometric and mathematically organized. Cassandre created several innovative fonts, and always began his poster designs with the text. Cassandre’s renowned works included covers for Harper’s Bazaar and the Yves Saint Laurent logo.

The "Nord Express" (Northern Express) was a train service introduced in 1896 by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, a Belgian night train company. It left Paris and travelled via Brussels, Cologne, Hanover, Berlin, Konigsberg (now Kaliningrad) and Daugavpils to Saint Petersburg. The founders of CIWL wanted to establish a direct link between Saint Petersburg and Lisbon to connect with ocean liners to America.

The "Nord Express" in the French station of Noyon - Beginning of the 20th century
Passengers from Russia had to change once in East Prussia at the German/Russian border because Russian railway tracks are of a wider gauge than those in Western Europe. In Paris there was a connecting service to the Sud Express (Southern Express) to Lisbon. This train service enabled people to travel across Europe in what was, by the standards of the time, a very fast and comfortable manner.

After World War I the train was diverted to Warsaw instead to Saint Petersburg. After World War II the "iron curtain" and air travel caused the end to this famous train. Since World War II the name Nord Express has been used for the ordinary night train between Paris and Copenhagen. In 2007 it was shortened further and diverted again such that it now runs between Paris and Hamburg, taking 10.5 hours.

Source "Wikipedia"

Holland oost azie liju

Printed in Holland

1994

Another of the quality and graphically delightful postcard that I got from "Art Unlimited Amsterdam". Well, this Dutch words means "Holland East Asia Line" probable reflecting the travel route of this vessel.

Lady behind Tulips

Printed in Japan

1970

Another Classic. The simple joys of a child playing in a lovely field of tulips.

Lady with Tulips

Printed in Japan

1972

My wife's favourite. A classic.

The Drummer Boy

Printed in Holland

1984

Having played drums before, I am naturally drawn to this postcard. Got this during my trip to Amsterdam many years ago. I have affectionately term this postcard "The Drummer Boy"