Today's post (originally published in 2010) unwraps a collection of Christmas cards from couturier Lucien Lelong in the FIDM Museum's Annette Green Fragrance Archive.
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Greeting card sent by Lucien Lelong
1935-1940
Gift of Monique Fink
F2006.877.155
Our collection of Lucien Lelong perfume and ephemera includes a group of holiday greeting cards signed by Lucien Lelong. Though most of the cards are undated, they seem to span the years between 1935 and 1945. The cards are printed with images of iconic Parisian landmarks. Each card has a hand-written holiday greeting in French or English, along with Lucien Lelong's signature. The card above pictures the Place Vendome, the beginning of the Rue de la Paix. From the late 19th century, when Worth established his salon at No. 7, the Rue de la Paix was home to many celebrated couture houses.
Greeting card sent by Lucien Lelong
1938
Gift of Monique Fink
F2006.877.152
Dated 1938, the card above features a printed image of two women in late 1860s style dress. Lelong's stylized L logo is imprinted on the lower left corner of the card.
This card pictures the Palais Garnier, or Paris Opera House.
Greeting card sent by Lucien Lelong
1935-1940
Gift of Monique Fink
F2006.877.156
So quirky and interesting to have these pieces in your collection. I love that the Museum considers the designer as a whole and finds value in his holiday cards! I always think art is so much more compelling when there is something more mundane to know about the artist as well.
I recently came across one of these while looking through a family collection of old envelopes, stamps, post cards, greeting cards, etc. The card itself is undated but the cancellation on the envelope dates it and is the Place Vendome. It is a very beautiful envelope, card, signature dating December 7, 1949. I hope to find more information on it soon.
Lucky you, Charley! Someone in your family must have worked for Lucien Lelong.