Postcard Companies


Figure 1.--We have noted a FAS card postally used in the Neherlands during 1926. The Dutch mailbox in the card suggests that the card was made in the Netherlands or that the company was clearly adjusting it cards to the Dutch market in addition to using Dutch greetings. Note that this cold weather outfit consists of short pants, with kneepants buttons, and heavy long stockings.

We will discuss individual post card companies inder the respective countries, to the extent that we can identify the country. The largest companies appear to have been in France, but Germany has a substantial post card industry itself. Thisa nalysis is important because the fashions shown in the cards may have reflected the country the card was made in to a greater degree than the card in which the country was used, or the language printed on the card. The company responsible may also help us date the cards. We do not yet know to what extent the various companies aimed at export markets are adjusted their cards to appeal to those markets.

ABC (France)

We note large numbers of ABC cards in the early 1930s. They marketed both stringly and mutely colorized cards. Some were marketed in foreign countries. We note cards, for example with Dutch greetings. Flowers were commonly added to the cards with boys and girls. Many of the cards are numbered, but this is not the number of the individual card. As several different poses from the same shoot have identical numbers. We believe it is probably the shoot number, but there are other possibilities.

ARTA?

We have noted a card used postally in the Netherlands in 1926. The logo seems to read "ARTA", but we are yet possitive about this. It has rather the look of a French card with sailor suits and flowers, although sailor suits were also popular elsewhere. The boy wears bangs which were more popular in Germany and the Netherlands. We will archive t temprarily with the French companies until we determine precisely what company was invooved and the nationality.

FAS

We have noted a FAS card postally used in the Netherlands during 1926. The Dutch mailbox in the card suggests that the card was mafe in the Netherlands or the company was clearly adjusting it cards to the Dutch market in addition to using Dutch greetings.

Fox (France)

We have noted several Fox postcards from France, bith postally used and unused. Theu seem more modern than some of the other companies. The earliest Fox card we have noted looks to have been made in the late 1920s or early 30s. we have also noted some from the late 1940s after World War II. These have serrated edges. I do not know if the serrated edges cards existed before the War, but it is a popular style for postcards after the War and Fox adopted it.

Furia (France)

We have noted a Furia postcard that was postally used in France during 1912. Thus we know the company was active before World War I. The sepia card shows a boy wearing a fancy lace-trimed outfit outfit with sailor styling. The suit was a rather unrealistic pink.

HTL (Germany)

We have very limited information on German postcard companies at this time. We have noted a German card with a logo of a circle with HTL inside it. As the T is in a larger font, presumably the company name was THL. Thus we know this company was operating in 1921.

Lite (France)

Another French postcard company was Lite. Again we know littke about this company at this time pther than they were active in the years before World War I. We note that not only did the company color cards they would also add patterns to garments.

M

One French postcard company in 1932 was making cards woth a "M" in an oval logo. The cards were being exported to the Netherlands. We do no know, however, if the cards was shot with a special them for the Netherlands. It did have a Dutch greeting. The cards employed rather fancifal hand painting.

NBC (Germany)

We have no information on NBC cards at this time. The one we have was postally used in Belgoum and looks to be from the early 1920s. The boy pictured wears lederhosen so NBC could have been a German company.

PC Paris (France)

We note PC Paris cards in the early 20th century before World War I. Some of the cards were rather strangely posed such as little girl with a big wine bottle. Boys were commonly pictured with floweres. Sailor suits were a popular costume for the boys, sometimes with wide brimmed hats. PC Paris was still printing cards in the 1930s. Card in the early 1930s showed boys in short shorts, often with white kneesocks ans strap shoes. The curled mid-length hair cut was also popular.

PFG (France)

We have noted a French card marked PFG, if we are reading the logo correctly. It was a an elaborately, but unrealistiv hand painted card postally used in Belgium diring the mid-1920s, showing that the comapny was active in the mid-1920s. The card showed a boy with curled mid-length hair wearing short shorts with a floral display.







Christopher Wagner






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Created: November 4, 2001
Last updated: December 5, 2001