Les Voyelles – A Charming Belle Époque Alphabet Series

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

Entitled Les Voyelles (The Vowels), this enchanting series illustrates the six French vowels: A, E, I, O, U and Y.

Each postcard features a young child posing beside a large letter beautifully decorated with flowers, accompanied by an imaginative word beginning with the corresponding vowel.

Combining childhood portraits, floral arrangements, educational themes and the delicate aesthetics of Belle Époque photography, these postcards offer a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century French popular culture.

The original red typography identifies each vowel, while the photographic compositions give the series its distinctive charm.

The Six Postcards

A – Âne (Donkey)

A young girl wearing a playful donkey-ear bonnet stands beside an elaborate floral letter A, carrying a schoolbag.

E – Écolière (Schoolgirl)

A smiling little girl wearing a decorative hat and carrying a schoolbag poses beside a large flower-covered letter E.

I – Images (Pictures)

A young girl examines a small picture or booklet beside a beautifully decorated floral letter I. Illustrated prints and children's reading material complete the composition.

O – Oiseau (Bird)

A little girl leans through a large floral letter O, surrounded by decorative birds, creating a particularly charming photographic scene.

U – Uniforme (Uniform)

A smiling child dressed in a military-style uniform, complete with a decorative helmet and sword, poses beside a large floral letter U.

Y – The Final Vowel

A young girl stands beside a flower-covered letter Y, holding a small booklet and appearing thoughtful. The printed French caption humorously questions which Greek word could suitably illustrate the letter.

Together, these six postcards form a beautiful and coherent alphabet-themed collection, capturing the playful imagination and artistic creativity of French Belle Époque postcard publishing.

Historical and Postal Interest

These original postcards are also fascinating examples of French photographic and postal history.

Several retain their original French postage stamps, postal cancellations and handwritten messages.

The cards were mailed during the early 20th century, with some postmarked around 1903–1905.

Several were addressed to Mademoiselle Suzanne Hénault in Orléans, France, adding an interesting connection to the history of personal correspondence.

The elegant violet handwritten inscriptions on the illustrated fronts provide additional decorative and historical character.

Product Details

• Series: Les Voyelles (The Vowels)

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

• Period: Early 20th century, circa 1903–1905

• Origin: France

• Quantity: 6 original antique postcards

• Letters: A, E, I, O, U and Y

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

• Technique: Antique phototype photographic printing

• Language: French

• Subjects: Alphabet, vowels, childhood, flowers, education and Belle Époque photography

• Reference: BG-13

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

Condition

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

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

Several illustrated fronts retain original handwritten greetings and personal messages in violet ink.

The reverse sides show handwritten addresses, period postal markings and natural signs of ageing.

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

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

A Beautiful Piece of French Childhood History

This complete set will appeal to collectors of antique French postcards, historical alphabet imagery, Belle Époque photography, educational ephemera, vintage childhood portraits and antique paper collectibles.

The elegant floral letters and charming portraits also make these postcards an attractive decorative ensemble for a personal archive, antique writing desk, vintage-inspired interior or cabinet of curiosities.

You will receive the six original antique postcards representing A, E, I, O, U and Y, exactly as shown in the photographs.