1950s Place de la Concorde Paris France Vintage Postcard

About This Vintage Postcard

Witness the architectural grandeur of the heart of Paris with this atmospheric monochrome study of the Place de la Concorde. This expansive view captures the legendary Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, which has stood in the center of the square since 1836, flanked by the rhythmic play of the site's monumental fountains. In the background, the majestic facades of the Hôtel de Crillon and the Ministry of the Navy illustrate the neoclassical elegance of Jacques-Ange Gabriel's 18th-century urban design. The scene includes mid-century automobiles and a tall, ornate street lamp, highlighting the bustling energy of the French capital. This card serves as a unique piece of commercial history, having been sent by the "Around-the-World Shoppers Club" to a member in Evanston, Illinois, to announce a membership gift traveling by boat from France.

Details

Era: (c. 1950s)
City: Paris
State or Region: Île-de-France
Country: France
Topic: Place de la Concorde, Luxor Obelisk, Parisian Landmarks, French Architecture, Around-the-World Shoppers Club, Mid-Century Paris
Condition: Circulated
Postage: 6f Gargantua Red Stamp; Postmarked July 8, 1953 (Paris 125)
Address Side: Divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Guy (André Leconte)
Publisher: André Leconte, 38 rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, Paris (Ed. d'Art « GUY »)
Printer: Unknown (No. 1.037)
Print Type: Photogravure

Additional Information

This postcard is part of the "Paris et ses Merveilles" (Paris and its Marvels) series (No. 1.037) published by the renowned firm of André Leconte. The "Guy" signature was the trademark of Leconte's studio, famous for high-quality artistic photography during the mid-20th century. The 1953 postmark and the 6-franc stamp featuring Rabelais' Gargantua firmly date the card's use to the early 1950s. The Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, was originally designed to celebrate King Louis XV but became a focal point of the French Revolution. This card’s handwritten message from a global shopping club reflects the burgeoning post-war international mail-order trade, making it a fascinating artifact of mid-century consumer culture.

This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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