Patriotic embroidered postcards, made in France, were popular souvenirs made for soldiers during WWI. This one is unusual in that has the month "April" as well as the year "1917." It features an American flag. Embroidered American flags seem to be much less common than British and French flags.This embroidery on this postcard is quite faded, making it less valuable than a brightly colored card. It still is very clean and collectible, however. The embroidery is on cloth inserted between an embossed paper frame and a paper backing. The embossing on the frame consists of horseshoes in the corners and four-leaf clovers on the sides--two good luck symbols. On the back is printed "Fabrication Francaise."
More information on embroidered postcards:
Gabrian Silk Postcards
Propaganda Postcards of the Great War, Silks (embroidered postcards)
Love Tokens from the front
That's a nice postcard. 1917 was the year that American Expeditionary Force (AEF) entered the War.
ReplyDeleteFor books about these Embroidered postcards (I'm not associated with either author) try
An Illustrated History of the Embroidered Silk Postcard by Dr Ian Collins, ISBN: 0954023501
Concise Catalogue of Embroidered Silk Postcards by John Westland, ISBN: 0951836218
I love your blog. Do you do much buying of postcards?
ReplyDeleteI don't buy many postcards now. Most of the ones I have bought recently are ones related to my websites about postcards.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the US. My grandfather embroidered a Hankerchief for my grandmother. Its silk with lace and has the French & American flags.
ReplyDeleteThe threads have run a little.
Do you know of other "hankies?"
VB
I have been collecting these postcatrds for some time, but have no idea how to store them and keep them from further deterioation like fading and toning marks.
ReplyDeletePlease could you help me.
Many Thanks
Jessica
The main thing in storing postcards is to use archival materials.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the ideas posted on the Vintage Postcard Forum at postcardcollector.org.