Vintage Erotic Postcards

I have an affinity for Vintage Erotic Postcards, I have viewed many and have a small collection myself. I would love to obtain some more if anyone in Cyberspace is looking to offload/sell some of their collection.

I can't answer the reason why I like these?? I try to revert back to the time before TV, when Erotica was hidden. I imagine a distinguished Gentleman holding the card that I now hold in my hand, what was he thinking? Was he thinking about Basketball? I think not.
I would imagine he inserted himself into the photographic situation taking his position and including himself in the fantasy surrounding him, of course he would have locked the study door to avoid interruption as he gazed, transfixed, caught in his thoughts. He would have looked upon the ladies, scanning the photo and creating the 3D image in his mind. (Don't scroll down, it's getting hot)

 Would he picture himself as the man in the photo, although the guy in the postcard above seems more interested in the lighting than the lady with him (Maybe that's why he's missing the target?) We all know men can't concentrate on two things at once. Excuse me, I digress, I wonder did the Gentleman, sitting in his large office chair take a chance and re-enact, in some part, what he was viewing?

How involved did he get? Maybe his breeches where a little tight and he needed to loosen them? Ok, that's a feeble excuse but it could have been genuine!
Maybe he was egotistical and obsessed with the size of his member, and imagined it so............

Alas! If only.........Or maybe he just used them for quick sexual satisfaction where he could indulge his tastes without fear or recrimination. What ever he did with them, I'm just glad they survived to this day, relatively clean to pass on to collectors like myself.

Thanks for taking the time to read this (hopefully) humorous  post. I thought I'd stick the odd one in, pardon the pun, rather than have all serious posts but let me know which one you prefer, just leave a comment.
Till next time................Bye for now!

Calling all Félicien Rops Fans, HELP!

Hi All,
I was lucky enough to acquire a number of items of the legend that is Félicien Rops recently. Whilst perusing carefully through the box of prints, books and miscellaneous items, I stumbled upon a very interesting find!! The surprise was a very unique (Or at least I think it is?) Carte De Viste aka CDV, hidden within a book between some prints.
Hence, the call for all those more knowledgeable than myself with regard to Mr. Rops, Please have a look and study the picture below and see if you come to the same conclusion as myself that the individual depicted in the photo is none other than Rops himself. Of course, there is no identification on the CDV as to the identification of this confident male.
I appreciate, as always, all your comments and guidance. So I leave it in your capable hands!
Thanks again for checking out my page.

Alberto Vargas, Pin-Up Extraordinaire

Alberto Vargas, A man born in Peru and a prolific Pin-Up artist, was born in the year 1896 and had a wonderful and colourful career and reached fame when creating his "Vargas Girls" for Esquire during WWII, which incidently were adapted for the the aircraft nose art of the said war.

But before his famous Erotic/Risqué drawings, Varagas had a number of "Ordinary" jobs which included his first employment by Adelson Hat Company where his forté was watercolours and pen. He soon moved to freelance work painting windows etc when he was snapped up to portray the "Ziegfield Follies". It was onward and upward from there and a quick search of the internet will provide many colourful images of these beautiful ladies drawn in Alberto's unique style. In 1927, Vargas heard the call of Hollywood and was called upon to create images for various movie advertisement posters including the aclaimed "The Sin of Nora". Shown Below.

Vargas was simply one of the finest Artists of his Genre which is still proven by his popularity today amongst collectors. Let me know what YOU think!

Édouard-Henri Avril AKA Paul Avril

Édouard-Henri Avril (21 May 1843–1928) was a painter and commercial artist. But his Erotic works were issued under the pseudonym Paul Avril after being commissioned to illustrate 80 vignettes for Théophile Gautier's novel Fortunio. His choice of name caused confusion at time because of his brothers name Paul Victor Avril. Edouard-Henri's reputation was soon established and he received many commissions to illustrate both major authors and the so-called "galante literature" of the day, a form of erotica. These books were typically sold in small editions on a subscription basis and usually organised by collectors.

Avril illustrated many works including John Cleland's "Fanny Hill" printed in 1908, a story of a passive woman's sexual awakening. Below is just one of the many illustrations from Fanny Hill "Fanny Emboldens William".

Avril's major work was "De Figuris Veneris" (On the figures of Venus) first published in 1824, which was an anthology of ancient Roman & Greek erotic writings, below we show the main illustrated lithograph of the title. Paul illustrated the French edition by Charles Hirsch in 1907. Avril died at Le Raincy, Paris, France in 1928 leaving behind an erotic legacy that is still being enjoyed by Erotica Lovers today.

Pornocrates by Charles Brison-An Introduction to the life and works of Félicien Rops

This is a fantastic book about the life and work of the "lazy" "womanizing" Félicien Rops, they are not my words but the words of one of Félicien's closest friends - Edmond Haraucourt.
The book starts with a biography of Rops' life, stepping through his financially secure childhood until the death of his beloved Father when he was 12. Mr. Brison then takes us on a meandering journey of Rops' teenage years, which where decidedly uneventful with the exception of the discovery of his artistic talent. Then onto his double life, The doting Husband to his wife Charlotta whilst in his home town of Namur, Belgium- And "vicious, poisonous womanizer" when in his workplace of Paris.
Some say when Rops entered Paris he signed a pact with the Devil, How else could he obtain his unending youthful looks, his masterful talent and his jovial, electrifying personality. Which he wielded on both sexes but for separate and obvious reasons, Gentlemen to ensure more work-Ladies to ensure more entertainment. All individuals listened intently to his exaggerated but involving stories, some tales increasing in size each time he conveyed them, but his expression of those experiences given in detail (sometimes crudely) and with such enthusiasm forced the listeners to him, as if magnetically. Although Félicien played hard, he also worked hard and reserved the majority of his work for the elite. Those whom he knew would appreciate and covet his works, sometimes foregoing financial reward to ensure his Art was beheld by deserving individuals. After many years of debouch he returned to his hometown to live out the end of his days. Although maintaining his youthful looks till his final breath, Rops was practically blind when he passed away quietly and without regret it seems, at his home in 1898. Leaving behind him an immense amount of work and although at the time there were many great artists of the day, Félicien Rops is still as popular amongst lovers of Erotica today as he was in demand in his own time.
The rest of the book takes us through a visual catalogue of the work of Félicien Rops. An exquisite portfolio of Rops most famous works written in bibliographical style. Here we can see the true artist lost in his own world of Satanism and Erotica and yet he still managed to produce results that were more than satisfactory for those who commissioned this artist to create unique pieces of unforgettable symbolism.
I would encourage all Rops fans who haven't yet read this book to source it and enjoy it, it is a fabulous read.
Comments Welcome.

Above: the cover of Pornocrates

Oxtiern/Misfortunes Of Libertinage by D.F.A.

As mentioned earlier I said I might return to the works of the Marquis De Sade, and so I've chosen one of his many theatrical works. De Sade is well known as you already know for 1. His unique sexual tastes for the period in which he lived. 2. Spending the vast majority of his life either on the run or in prison and 3. His Erotic writings, namely 120 Days of Sodom and Juliet to name but a few.
But Donatien Alphonse Francois (D.A.F.) also wrote many plays, although only a handful actually made it to the stage and even those had a veil of Drama surrounding them. The particular Play I'll mention here is "Oxtiern" a prose drama in 3 acts. It follows the tale of a young Lady (Ernestine) who is held against her will through blackmail and the removal of her virtue by a rich and powerful Count (Oxtiern). The play has about 9 Characters, some intermittent and some just making an appearance in Act 3.
Oxtiern has taken Ernestine and her maid without the knowledge of Ernestine's Father who assumes she has just run away. Ernestine's betrothed (Herman) has been locked away on a trumped up charge by Oxtiern. The story evolves by Oxtiern trying to cunningly arrange the death of Ernestine, her Father and her brother. But I won't spoil the intricacies of the plot, I'll let you find out yourself when you  read it.
I enjoyed this little piece, the usual twists and turns apply as in most plays and was very easy to read. I just wanted to offer this theatrical piece up for discussion as it proves that D.A.F. could write commercial works as well as his notorious literary achievements which come to mind the instant De Sade's name is mentioned in whatever context.
I would like to hear your views on this subject, Please leave a comment.

Above: The only known portrait the Marquis De Sade actually sat for.

Henry Spencer Ashbee AKA Pisanus Fraxi

Here is a very unique individual, even by today's standards. Henry Spencer Ashbee (HSA) never seemed to sit still, he was constantly on the go. Either traveling to Holland, Germany or France on a very regular basis (before mobile phone and aeroplanes) or embarking on obsessive book collecting. He was a true globetrotter and travelled the world extensively and he didn't just collect any type of books, but books of an illegal erotic nature for that particular time (mid to late 1800's). If HSA had  been known by those in authority to have an interest in such vile matters, he may have been arrested. As did happen to some individuals. But only Henry and a few selected friends, who shared similar interests, were aware of his activities. Very little is known of Ashbee's particular tastes, although his comments on flagalation within his "Bibliography" try to feign disgust, his in-debt knowledge of the genre suggests more than a keen interest in this particular subject.
As HSA put together his famous three volume "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" he decided, in these dangerous times, to create a pseudonym. He took the latin words Fraxinus (Ash) Apis (Bee) and out of these letters evolved the anagram Pisanus Fraxi. And so the legend was born. To gather the bulk of his collection and catalogue his library whilst also creating his three volume works was a mammoth task but a challenge HSA reveled in. Most of the "Bibliography Of Prohibited Books" was written approximately between 1877-1886 and it is widely assumed (but not confirmed) that between the years 1888 and 1894 Henry Spencer wrote "My Secret Life", an erotic tale that follows one mans journey from childhood to adulthood and all his sexual conquests/experiences in between.
This was a fascinating man who really did live life to the full until he eventually shook off his mortal coil in his beloved home on the 29th of July 1900.

Please leave a comment if you are interested in this subject.

Illustration: Ashbee in Paul Avril's bookplate 1890