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Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 507, Box II

Postcard

ca. 1906 (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
Lithograph
Brief description
Postcard, Milford Haven Collection, The inauguration of the Simplon Tunnel: International Exhibition in Milan of 1906, official card made in Milan, lithograph
Physical description
Postcard showing the crouching nude figure of Mercury, distinguished by his winged helmet, and a companion, their backs to the observer. They are eerily illuminated in a red hue supposed to be from the furnace of the train, and they look out at the horizon from the tunnel. The inscription on the card says INAUGURAZIONE DEL SEMPIONE, EXPOSIZIONE INTERNAZIONALE MILANO=1906
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)
  • INAUGURAZIONE DEL SEMPIONE, EXPOSIZIONE INTERNAZIONALE MILANO=1906 (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.

This card was made to commemorate the inauguration of the Simplon Tunnel to traffic in 1906. One of the world's great engineering feats, the tunnel connects Italy and Switzerland.
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.

Associated object
E.524:424-2001 (Version)
Collection
Accession number
E.524:423-2001

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Record createdJune 15, 2001
Record URL
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