The Hare and the Tortoise…more commonly known in the U.S. as The Tortoise and the Hare….

This is an antique postcard produced from a work by an unknown artist. It appears to have been modeled after an illustration of Le Lièvre et la Tortue, that was printed in France, which in turn may have been taken from the work of French artist Gustav Doré rather than being by him. Check out the set of trade cards for Solution Pautauberge (a product which was in it’s day said to be a cure for rheumatism and bronchitis and a prevention for tuberculosis.) The set is entitled Fables de LaFontaine, (and you’ll notice the indication showing “d’apres Gustav Doré”  which might mean “modeled after” in this context.)

The back of the postcard indicates “Authorized By Act of Congress of May 19, 1898″ so this is a Private Mailing Card or PMC. The short PMC era ran from May 19, 1898 to December 24, 1901 when the new postal regulations ushered in the Undivided Back era. The size is smaller than what we consider the standard for postcards and measures about 5″ x 3”.

This beautifully done postcard is in very good shape for it’s approximate 115 year age, and includes glued on glitter highlights. In particular, the expression on the poor bun’s face is priceless, that panicked  “Oh, no!”  feeling, and note the beautiful, and correctly done, long bunny eyelashes!

Private Mailing Card. Circa 1898 – 1901. Unused. Publisher unknown, number 32.

Price:  $20.00   Size:  About 5 x 3″

Sources:  The Tortoise and the Hare. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortoise_and_the_Hare. (accessed February 26, 2015).

Gustave Doré. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustave_Dor%C3%A9. (accessed February 26, 2015).

“Solution Pautauberge.” Creighton University. Web accessed February 28, 2015.