Le Premier Rendez-vous – A Charming Belle Époque Love Story

A delightful set of three original antique French photographic postcards published by A. Bergeret & Cie in Nancy, France, during the early 20th century.

Entitled Le Premier Rendez-vous (The First Date), this charming numbered series tells a humorous romantic story through three carefully staged photographic scenes.

A fashionable young gentleman, dressed in an elegant Edwardian suit and straw boater hat, eagerly awaits his first meeting with a young lady.

His anticipation, impatience and eventual encounter form a delightful visual narrative, capturing the light-hearted spirit of French Belle Époque romantic humour.

Each postcard bears its original French caption printed in red, while handwritten correspondence and period postal markings add a wonderful historical dimension.

The Three Postcards

1. Le Premier Rendez-vous – Is Three O'Clock Correct?

A young gentleman stands elegantly with his walking cane, apparently waiting for an eagerly anticipated romantic meeting.

The original French caption reads:

C'est bien pour 3 heures ?

Handwritten correspondence covers part of the illustrated front, adding an authentic personal touch.

2. Le Premier Rendez-vous – What a Delay!

The young man consults his pocket watch, visibly concerned about the passing time.

The original caption reads:

3 heures 1/2 ! Sapristi, quel retard !

A charming humorous illustration of romantic impatience, enhanced by handwritten correspondence.

3. Le Premier Rendez-vous – At Last, She Arrives!

The long-awaited meeting finally takes place.

The gentleman welcomes an elegantly dressed young woman, completing the playful romantic sequence.

The original caption reads:

Ah ! la voici ! Allons à sa rencontre.

This particularly attractive postcard also preserves original French postage stamps and postal cancellations on the illustrated front.

Together, these three postcards create a charming visual story celebrating courtship, anticipation and everyday humour in Belle Époque France.

Historical and Postal Interest

Published by A. Bergeret & Cie of Nancy, these antique photographic postcards are characteristic of the theatrical, humorous and romantic compositions popular in early 20th-century France.

All three postcards have circulated through the French postal system and retain authentic traces of their postal history.

They feature handwritten correspondence, original postage stamps and cancellations dating from 1905.

The illustrations and handwritten messages offer a fascinating glimpse into French social customs, personal relationships and correspondence during the Belle Époque.

Product Details

• Series: Le Premier Rendez-vous (The First Date)

• Publisher: A. Bergeret & Cie, Nancy, France

• Period: Early 20th century, circa 1905

• Origin: France

• Quantity: 3 original antique postcards

• Numbering: Cards 1, 2 and 3

• Dimensions: Approximately 9 × 14 cm (3.5 × 5.5 inches) each

• Technique: Antique photographic postcard printing

• Language: French

• Subjects: Romance, courtship, humour, Belle Époque fashion, Edwardian gentleman

• Postal history: Postally used, with original correspondence, stamps and 1905 cancellations

• Reference: BG-15

• Sold as: One set of three original antique postcards, exactly as photographed

Condition

Authentic antique French postcards showing natural signs of age and previous postal use.

The cards display age-related discolouration, scattered foxing, occasional surface marks and minor wear to the edges and corners.

Handwritten correspondence appears on the illustrated fronts of the first two postcards, while the third retains particularly decorative postal markings and stamps.

The reverse sides preserve original correspondence, addresses and postal cancellations.

The postcards have not been restored and retain their authentic antique character.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an essential part of the description.

A Charming Collection of French Romantic History

These three original postcards will appeal to collectors of antique French postcards, Belle Époque photography, vintage romance, historical correspondence and early photographic storytelling.

Their theatrical compositions and delicate period humour also make them an attractive decorative ensemble for a vintage-inspired interior, antique writing desk, personal archive or cabinet of curiosities.

You will receive the three original antique postcards numbered 1 to 3, exactly as shown in the photographs.