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

Postcard

ca. 1903 (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
Materials and techniques
Lineblock print
Brief description
Postcard, Milford Haven Collection, by Georges Mouton, 'Néçessité fait loi!', Woman urinating on pavement holding large umbrella, lineblock print, French, ca.1903
Physical description
A woman squats down, urinating on the pavement. Her pink dress and petticoat are raised to reveal her bare bottom in her split drawers. She holds a large umbrella above her. Directly above her is a notice which says that it is forbidden to urinate. The caption says that necessity makes the law.
Dimensions
  • Album height: 13.6cm
  • Album width: 21cm
  • Album depth: 5.5cm (Note: Dimensions for album closed)
  • Card height: 9cm (Note: approximate)
  • Card width: 14cm (Note: approximate)
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'SECTIONS 7 8 10 11 12 / Post Cards / The Milford Haven Collection / of / Post Cards. / Numbers 323 - 326 / " 336 - 340 / " 420 - 441 / " 453 - 504 / " 508 - 515' (Labels and text printed on album cover)
  • 'DéFENSE / D'URINER / sous peine / Néçessité fait loi / Necessity make law' (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.524:502-2001

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 19, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest