Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 507, Box IV

The Vowel sounds

Postcard
ca. 1905 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Milford Haven Collection consists of 442 specimans of French, Italian and German erotic postcards of considerable interest including a number of rare movable cards, all dating from the early years of the twentieth century. The collection illustrates with great clarity the various styles particular to each region. The cards have been arranged in three albums, according to the subject matter with which they deal, highlighting the original collector's strong interest in scatological subjects.



Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Vowel sounds (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph
Brief description
Postcard, Milford Haven Collection, Five men staring at the statue of a nude and making the five vowel sounds, lithograph, possibly Italian, ca.1905
Physical description
Postcard depiciting five men lined up staring at the statue of a nude. They are young, middle-aged, old and a priest, each making the sounds 'a!...e!...i!...o!...u!'. The priest is trying to go but his eyes are irresistibly drawn. It is by G.C.&C....perhaps G.Citterio and C. of Milan.
Dimensions
  • Album height: 25.8cm
  • Album width: 21cm
  • Album depth: 7cm
  • Card height: 9cm (Note: approximate)
  • Card width: 14cm (Note: approximate)
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'PostCards / THE MILFORD HAVEN COLLECTION OF POST CARDS / SECTION I - SECTION VI. SECTION IX. / SECTIONS 1 - 6.9 / Numbers 1-35/ " 72 - 120 / " 148 - 153 / " 163 - 184 / " 205 - 227 / " 250 - 313 / " 350 - 412' (Text and label on album cover)
  • 'a!..e!..i!..o!..u!!!' (printed on postcard recto)
Credit line
Given by Dr E. J. Dingwall
Object history
This collection of 'Cartes postales fantaisistes' was at one time part of the collection of a member of the Milford Haven family. The collection consists of 442 postcards mounted in three bound albums and accompanied by a typed catalogue dated 1960. It was acquired in 1960 by E.J. Dingwell.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Milford Haven Collection consists of 442 specimans of French, Italian and German erotic postcards of considerable interest including a number of rare movable cards, all dating from the early years of the twentieth century. The collection illustrates with great clarity the various styles particular to each region. The cards have been arranged in three albums, according to the subject matter with which they deal, highlighting the original collector's strong interest in scatological subjects.

Collection
Accession number
E.523:21-2001

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Record createdJune 1, 2001
Record URL
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