17/12/2018
CARTOON CARDS
SAPPHIRE CARDS
It is possible that SAPPHIRE PUBLICATIONS LTD pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in respect of cartoons with a sexual humour content. Some of what was implied with these cartoons was quite extreme and extremely close to the edge but having said all that they are an integral part of the history of the saucy postcard story, all-be-it the end years of this story. Here are three of their cards which have strong sexual implications:
SHALL I SLIDE DOWN THE BANISTER
AND WARM UP THE SUPPER
By
SOL
Published by
SAPPHIRE PUBLICATIONS LTD
A SAPPHIRE CARD
Ref: 24
Back in the 1950’s the stockings depicted would never have been allowed in the areas of the more censor-orientated councils. Otherwise, it is the implied sexual content that breaches some limits, although your mind would have to be already in that arena to understand it, I suppose…
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This is one of the design backs which was used later in the company’s output.
“I’LL GIVE YOU £5.00 EACH WAY – AND £10.00
IF YOU COME FIRST!”
By
QUIP
Published by
SAPPHIRE PUBLICATIONS LTD
A SAPPHIRE CARD
Ref: 92
The artist ‘Quip’ is now renowned for being one of the cartoonists who pushed the boundaries of naughtiness at the time. Although these designs would never be allowed in our current world they were once everywhere across the UK, especially at seaside resorts. They were cheap postcards and the extreme sexual inuendo was often tied with an image that left no possible discrepancies, were very popular at the time. These days these Quip cards often sell for some very reasonable prices as collectors who did not pick them up at the time, and new collectors of seaside saucy cards all want examples.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This is an older type of reverse layout used by this company.
“WHY DON’T YOU LICK YOUR FINGER LIKE OTHER PEOPLE –
WHEN YOU TURN OVER A PAGE?”
By
QUIP
Published by
SAPPHIRE PUBLICATIONS LTD
A SAPPHIRE CARD
Ref: 108
This is ‘definitely’ the most sexually explicit idea depicted on a cartoon. Somehow the idea of what is going on here seems more-naughty than the previous card above which is clearly showing full intercourse! I wonder why this is. I can’t explain it, but somehow this cartoon seems more extreme, this is despite the couple clearly wearing pyjama’s and seeming to be married, or at least a proper couple. This card has the same reverse layout as the card above.
17/12/2018
“CALENDAR GIRL”
Photographed on 27 May 1949
By
TOM KELLEY
Using an 8 x 10 Deardorff View Camera
Unknown Publisher
(Printed in the European Community)
Ref: C501
MARILYN MONROE – NUDE CALENDAR POSE
On the main webpage I posted a postcard which depicted this image but with underwear superimposed over the image, something done I believe to make the photograph more usable in certain societies. At least here you have the original image as originally depicted in the calendar.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
01/12/2018
LA ROMANCE DE
CHARLES ET DIANA
Creation by
JACQUES LARDIE
Published by
EDITIONS DU TRIANGLE
Limited Edition of 100
During the 1990’s Jacques Lardie produced hundreds of different photo-montage postcard issues, all stated to be in limited editions of 100 or 150 (sometimes, but rarely in larger recorded print runs).
This postcard was issued prior to Diana’s death, which seems obvious as the content would have been even more unacceptable after she passed away. These are rarely offered up these days and can be very hard to source and are £10+ on eBay.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
17/11/2018
ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE K.O.M [King of the Mods]
MODERN POSTCARD FAIR, NOTTINGHAM
28TH MARCH 1992
Design by
JACK FOLLOWS
Published by
RON GRIFFITHS (KING OF THE MODS)
Limited Edition Postcard
Ref: KOM-4
I remember attending this modern postcard fair and obtaining this postcard from Ron Griffith’s stand. To be fair, this postcard probably could have gone on the main webpage, but these are naked women and I am playing safe by putting it here under the censored tab.
It might be of interest to you know that many of the French artistic postcards I have posted here under this censored tab were in fact bought from Ron who was the best dealer in the UK for French limited-edition postcards, along with the American, British and other European countries limited edition postcards. Over the years my collection was greatly enhanced through my many transactions with Ron, and a lot of my knowledge also comes from talking and dealing with Ron.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Don’t write to Ron as he now pretty much only sells on eBay and has moved away from all the types of selling he did in the 1980’s, 1990’s and into the 2000’s.
17/11/2018
MISS CARTE POSTALE
Illustration by
FABIEN MOREAU
1987
Published by
EDITIONS DE SIZI L’ESCARGOT
Ref: 2ND SERIES – No 424
LIMITED EDITION OF JUST 150 POSTCARDS
Yes, another late 1980’s French issue with a naked female depicted front and centre. I always thought this one was a little (or to be more precise, a lot) sexist in its depiction of a load of ugly male characters ogling an attractive naked woman in what appears to be some sort of competition as she is holding a card with No. 3 on it.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
17/11/2018
PLM
LE PUY
DE FIL EN AIGUILLE (SAINT-MICHEL)
Illustration By
CHARLES BERG
1987
Published by
EDITIONS FORUM CARTES ET COLLECTIONS
Ref: No 11
In a series of 16 postcards
There were so many of this type of postcard produced in France during the late 1980’s which was a high point in the issuing of this type of illustrated card. Some of these can now be very hard to source and can be expensive as a result. This one is quite tame compared to many, but it is in full colour when many were still being issued in black and white, which was still popular with French postcard artists.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
17/11/2018
BOEING F4B
Illustration by
BERGESE FRANCIS
1988
Published by
LACROIX Jean-Michel BP
A.S.C.P.D. Series
Ref: No. 12
Another of those French published postcards which tried to break the boundaries of good taste back in the 1980’s. Quite why this lady had to have no cloths on in the middle of a field whilst an old aeroplane was flying around, I don’t know, but it was a popular, and reasonably expensive issue.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
31/10/2018
“NOW MR. JONES WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH MY FANNY?”
Cartoon design by
‘Dave’
Ref: CC19
PLAIN BACKED ‘PROOF COPY’
Scarce proof example card printed off as a proof display or agent copy for salesman
Now, because this is a proof copy there are no details in relation to the company that produced this, assuming it was actually-issued as card, which is by no means certain (but I feel that it was). So, some detective work was required to try and identify the company. Fortunately, I have a large collection of reference books and postcards to fall back on. So, I now know that the artist ‘Dave’ with this signature, with the little star, produced artwork that was published by a company located here in my home county of Essex, up in Clacton-on-Sea. This company was called ‘Coastal Colour (CTD)’ and I have discovered at least one other comic design published by them. Therefore, my obvious assumption is that there is a strong probability that this proof was printed by this company, but, until I find an issued full postcard backed version I will have to wait to confirm my thoughts.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE PROOF
As you can see, this is a plain backed proof. These are much harder to source than the issued cards
18/07/2018
A.S.C.P.D. Presente
Dans la Serie
Nues ne vieillirons pas ensemble
No. 35: LES BOUCHES DU RHONE
Illustration by
ALEX VARENNE
(1990)
Published by
LACROIX
Jean-Michel BP
Limited Edition of 500
(Individually numbered postcards – this copy is number 117)
Well, on the below postcard text I mentioned that artists were pushing the boundaries of what was and was not acceptable as a postcard image. Here I think the use of what is called the 69 position, with full visual oral sex, is scrapping the limit of those boundaries, possibly only having this in photographic form would eclipse it. Having said all this there is no denying that this is a beautifully artistic interpretation, but this would ‘definitely’ get you into trouble these days, even in France I suspect.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
18/07/2018
Dans la Serie
Nues ne vieillirons pas ensemble
No. 10 : Parabole
ILL. Uderzo Marcel (copyright) 1988
“Il y a ainsi des voyages fabuleux qui
s’accomplissent en meme temps que se
realise une oeuvre”
LACROIX
Jean-Michel BP
Limited Edition of 200
(hand numbered – this copy here is number 139/200)
Even without the obvious French name, if this was removed and I was just shown the image itself, I would immediately know that this was published in France and in the 1980’s (although I would have said 1980’s or early 1990’s). It so classically 'Modern' French, and in what other country, even in the more openly minded 1980’s, would you find such a sexually provocative image on a postcard so openly being sold. Looking at this postcard image now, thirty years after it was released, I am a little amazed that they got away with it, but as I was there buying these at the time I know that they were not perceived as being that unusual, although I think we knew that boundaries were being pushed and artists seeing what they could get away with.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
18/07/2018
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 1
This is the first card in an eight-card set which has seven very similar designs and one additional card of a different nature but continuing the strip tease of the female.
Seven of the images depict the female as if being spied upon through a keyhole. She is dressed in a traditional Alsace national dress, thus the title of the card series. On this first card she is still fully dressed and bending over
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 2
The woman is now seated
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
8e SALON CP et BD
COLMAR
6 and 7 Mars [March] 1988
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 3
This is the odd postcard design from the set because it does not have the keyhole depicted. I believe this one is different because it was a special postcard issued and made available at the fair which it advertises. My belief is that you could buy this set at the fair and therefore receive a complete set of the same edition number, in my case set 207. Because this single design was made especially for the fair itself I believe it was designed differently so that the front text could clearly be added and read.
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 4 (far left, or left side)
Ref: 5 (near left, or right side)
Peeping through the keyhole I suppose this is where it could be said that things started to become interesting, or alternatively, if you like, this is where it would cross over into becoming an arrestable offence to continue. She is not wearing a great deal in number 5
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 6 (near left, or right side)
Ref: 7 (far left, or left side)
Excuse me placing these two the wrong way around, I obviously made the mistake when scanning these in but did not notice. Never mind, I doubt it spoils the effect very much. I think by number 7 you are really into pornographic artwork, and as a thought, I wonder if you could legitimately place this card into the postal system. In the UK I think it would constitute an offence to try and post this one – I believe it would be described as too graphic (although I have seen far worse – I have a few worse that I intend to post here in the very near future!).
STRIP TEASE ALSACIEN
Design by
PATRICE SEILER
Published by
P. SEILER
Limited Edition of 250 examples
(my set is number 207)
Ref: 8
Here we have the near fully naked woman, she is still wearing the national hat after all! This is also the card which has the artists signature printed on it.
So, eight cards which depict a fairly-quick strip tease across a set of eight cards. It is nice to have all eight cards, and in the same numbered series. Although relatively simply drawn this is still a collectible set and one which is very typical of the private specialist French postcard output of the 1980’s and 1990’s. These are from an era of nudity being depicted regularly on postcard which has now long gone.
REVERSE SIDE OF ONE OF THE POSTCARDS
FROM THIS SET OF EIGHT
The cards all have the same basic reverse layout
08/06/2018
SORRENTO
Published by
INTERDIPRESS
Via. G. Ferraris 132
(Napoli)
‘PLURIGRAF TERNI’
Ref: 233
Another of those coastal topless female postcards so popular on the European continent. This one is from the coastal town of Sorrento in Italy.
08/06/2018
BILLIE HOLIDAY
AT JAZZ AT THE PHILHARMONIC
By
Artwork Media Studios
Published by
TUSHITA
(EDITION TUSHITA)
Ref: B 1149
This is probably tame enough to be able to be placed on the basic page of my website, but there is nudity contained here so I decided to put it under my CENSORED page. This one has a strong music connection through Billie Holiday.
08/06/2018
UNTITLED
Published by
TASCHEN
BENEDIKT TASCHEN VERLAG GmbH
1997
From the book:
LEGS THAT DANCE TO ELMER’S TUNE
TASCHEN are a company that mainly publish art books and books with collections of photographs, many of these of an erotic nature. There postcards also often follow this same theme. They also sell books of postcards on various themes but with a strong emphasis on art and erotica. This card is not untypical of their output.
19/05/2018
WANTED
KINKY COWPOKES
AND RUBBER COWGURLS
CLUB R.U.B.
Cartoon by
VINCE RAY
Published by the club as an official postcard
This was a free postcard given away at the R.U.B. club in London, apparently, I wouldn’t know because I obtained mine from a dealer at the recent Woking Postcard Fair. This could probably have gone on my main website page, but that totem pole has a far too suspicious shape to be placed there without any worries.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This has a faded out full image of the front cartoon, but I suspect my decision to place this card here rather than the main page is borne out by the text in the stamp box: POST IN AN ENVELOPE, so they clearly did not think it should have been openly posted as a postcard. This also opens-up another can of worms where if a card has an image upon it which makes it unsuitable to pass through the open mail system without an outer cover is it in fact therefore a postcard at all, if it can not be thus posted. It is a good question, although one I just ignore and place these in my collection anyway.
19/05/2018
NAPOLEON
By
Montse Merino
Published by
EDGAR GRATIS POSTKARTEN SERVICE
(EDGAR AUF DER KARTE)
Ref: #448
Well, yes. Not sure myself what to make of this one except that it achieved the required result of being picked up by me and bought by me (from a dealer at the recent Woking Postcard Fair – originally, in Germany, this was a free rack postcard). It is what we call a photo-montaged image, but is it art? And do we care either way? It is certainly unusual and that is why I obtained it.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Slightly different to the one below
19/05/2018
AKT
KUNSTLER: KRISTYAN GEYR
Published by
EDGAR GRATIS POSTKARTEN SERVICE
(EDGAR AUF DER KARTE)
Ref: #1.558
This is a German free rack card, although these days I wonder if displaying an image like this in the openwould be accepted, maybe it would still be fine in Germany, but I suspect here in the UK this would no longer be accepted as fine. It is a nice artistic styled photograph though.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
27/04/2018
LA COTE VENDEENNE
Published by
BELLES EDITIONS DE VENDEE (BEV)
Ref: B.P. 29
Yep, we appear to be on the beach again!
27/04/2018
C’EST LA VIE
BONNES VACANCES
Photo by
MARC ROBIN
Published by
AMORIMAGE PRODUCTIONS
Ref: TP-798
Copyright 1989
A common beach nude styled French issue. There seemed to be a trend of placing the naked form beside, in or close to the sea on this type of postcard, especially in France, but also in the UK.
22/04/2018
“VUE IMPRENABLE”
Published by
MIDICAP 31094
Ref: SVU103
Photo
Patrick Borde
A French issue sold up and down the country, quite often at the beach resort areas. It is another postcard from the 1980’s period.
22/04/2018
DAYDREAMS
Photo
James Stiles through Leslie Barany
Communications NYC
Published by
WIZARD & GENIUS (W & G)
SWITZERLAND
Ref: 5661
This would have classed as ‘Glamour’ back in the 1980’s – 1990’s when this card was available in postcards racks up and down the UK. It is one of the more attractive designs I think having a lot less on show than many did around the same time.
16/04/2018
ENDLESS SUMMER
1991 ROY VOLKMANN MODELS:
CARON BERNSTEIN & DAVID LA SCALA
THROUGH LESLIE BARANY COMMUNICATIONS NYC
Published by
WIZARD & GENIUS
(SWITZERLAND)
Ref: 5602
Typical of early 1990’s ‘Glamour’ photographic black and white postcards
05/04/2018
SAM FOX
Published by
UNDERGROUND
Ref: U254 (SAM FOX 3)
‘UNDERGROUND’ were a company which produced lots of postcards in the 1980’s and 1990’s (into the early 2000’s). Details about the company are little known because they mainly issued images without copyright and as such they did not want their details known. I once had the pleasure of chatting to an ex-employee of a similar sort of company who issued cards under the name BOX OFFICE. He told me stories of official raids on their premises and having to climb out of the windows and running away. So, there was some excitement around the world of unofficial – non-copyright – postcard publishing.
This is the second Sam Fox postcard to be posted here, there will probably be more.
05/04/2018
NU ARTISTIQUE PAR
YVON
Published by
EDITIONS D’ART YVON PARIS
Ref: 10 00 6043
Version 1 – No 87
Version 2 – No 90
The French postcard publishers have a long tradition of nude postcard issues. This image was available for many years across northern France (possible elsewhere as well, but I mainly travelled in Northern France during the 1980’s). It is a classic image and can also be found on postcards with photographs of locations above the reclining nude lady.
You can also find this card with slightly different postcard reverses, this mainly because of the long period that it continued to be published, rather than any deliberate ploy.
REVERSE SIDE
ONE VERSION
REVERSE SIDE
SECOND VERSION
05/04/2018
YOU CAN’T LICK THIS
Published by
LEO CARDS
(GOLDEN SHIELD)
(EASTBOURNE)
Ref: ODD 5
Before there was a change in the general views towards blatant nakedness being on display this postcard could be found everywhere up and down the UK in souvenir shops. That situation could not last, and now this is quite a hard card to find. Many would consider this a good thing, and I am not sure I don’t agree with them, but as an example of its type, and the nadir of exposed breast postcards, it interests me historically, and I do wonder how it will be looked upon by future historians.
16/03/2018
LA FILLE AUX YEUX BLEUS
Illustrator
Alexandre
Published by
EDITION DES ESCARGOPHILES
Ref: Collection 1992 No 12
Limited Edition of 300
The French publishing company of ‘Edition des Escargophiles’ was a company which was run by an artist known as ‘Sizi’. His signature was the inclusion of a snail in his artwork. Many of the other artists that produced images for his postcard series also included a snail. A large number of this company’s postcards also depicted a naked female image. This one here is typical of the style and design of these postcards.
16/03/2018
(SIR - im not sure this is still the case) JIMMY SAVILE
31ST OCT 1926 – 29TH OCT 2011
Published by
CoIR CARDS
Ref: 2011.CR.108
This seems a strange card to place here under this heading, especially if you have never heard of Jimmy Savile, which is possible outside of the UK, but unlikely here in the UK, but if there was ever a card which could cause offense now, this is it. Saville was of course extremely well known as a DJ, TV presenter and charity fundraiser, but, a year after his death, and the release of this postcard, everything changed. I remember Savile from watching his TV programme ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ as a kid. I bought this postcard for my TV collection when it came out. Then a year or so later news reports started to appear in the press. Then these reports escalated until it became clear that Savile had been leading a double life. He had clearly been a paedophile, and for some time, and if that was not bad enough, and it would be hard to consider anything being worse, there were further horrific stories that came to light. Savile is now, quite rightly, looked upon as being a demon. This postcard, so quickly issued, now looks like a major mistake and I bet the issuer regrets its issue (although they cannot be blamed for the publication when the time of its issue is taken into consideration).
This is a clear example of a postcard which I could not, and, would not post to the main part of my webpage – but it is a good example of a card which I can place here under this heading.
I wonder what future collectors will make of this postcard?
07/03/2018
SAMANTHA (SAM) FOX
Published by
HEROES
(LONDON)
Ref: SPC1055
During the 1980’s here in the UK there was probably no better known topless model, also known as a ‘Page 3 Girl’, because at that time a topless female was depicted every day on page 3 of the Sun newspaper. The naked addition to page 3 of The Sun is now no longer a thing, and the issue of postcards of topless models has gone the same way. I can remember myself going into shops in the 1980’s and seeing spinners of this type of postcard out in the sales area. This type of postcard is indicative of the era, and now of course a piece of history, an example of a type of postcard which is no longer issued, from a time that was very different.
07/03/2018
WICKED WILLIE
By
GRAY JOLLIFFE
Published by
JOLLY CARDS
Ref: WW 01
I remember when the book ‘Man’s Best Friend’ came out in 1984. It was a collection of cartoons about a talking penis, and it was extremely popular, even leading to a film version (I was unaware of this until I was doing some research into the postcards – I have not seen this film). I remember being quite surprised that these cartoons appeared on postcard (I am not so sure they would be able to do this today – certainly I doubt they would be on show in spinners in shops!). I am aware of 32 different postcards depicting this character, and some of the subject matter was, and of course still is, quite near the mark. This cartoon, as an example, clearly has an oral sex theme, something which is very, very unusual on postcards. I will post some of the other postcards in future postings.
07/03/2018
KENT, ENGLAND, 1968
Photograph by
ELLIOTT ERWITT
Published by
‘fotofolio’
Ref: MP 18
Not all nudity could be classed as glamourous. The fashion for naturalism has been around for many years and we have to this day areas of nudist beaches and holiday locations across the world. This photograph is now fifty years old (although the postcard was released in the 1980's). Items here, seem to be ‘located’ in a way which covers much that could cause offence, but this clearly is a couple comfortable in their nakedness.
07/03/2018
THE WHIP
Gert Weigelt 1983
Published by
ART UNLIMITED (AMSTERDAM)
Ref: B238
The male appendage appears on postcards far less than female nudity, which will probably come as no surprise to many. But, I thought it would be more poignant to have my first depicted nude postcard image to be that of a male (as to be honest the female form is likely to make far more appearences). Art Unlimited issued many postcards depicting nudes, including that of male nudity. It would seem, that during the 1980’s, at the height of the fashion for black and white nudes on postcard, Art Unlimited were far less censored than I suspect they would be now.
07/03/2018
POSTCARD SERIES ENVELOPE
THE JOLLY NIGGER BOYS
A SERIES OF SIX
COMIC PICTURE POSTCARDS
PRINTED IN COLOUR
SERIES 2
Published by
ERNEST NISTER
LONDON
This is an example of a Golden Age product which uses a word which in my opinion should never have been acceptable at any time, but history shows us otherwise in the use of the word here. I found this packet cover on sale in London, on an antiques stall earlier this year. The cards were not with this item, it was just the envelope packet being sold on its own. I find that the title of this set makes me feel very uncomfortable, even more so when I realised it was Series 2, which means that there must have been a series 1 and it must have been popular enough for there to be a second set.
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