La Lecture Sainte
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1903
"La Lecture Sainte" is a printed paper changing postcard made in France around 1903. The card measures approximately 9 cm in height by 14 cm in width and is housed within an album measuring approximately 7 cm in height, 11 cm in width, and 5 cm in depth when closed.
Designed as a movable novelty, the postcard presents two alternate scenes. In one depiction, a nun appears with a kneeling figure engaged in reading a book. When changed, the scene transforms to reveal a mostly nude woman mounting the back of an individual reading "L'Amour". The imagery is rendered in line printing with red and pale tones on white cardstock.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This item forms part of the Milford Haven Collection of erotic postcards, consisting of 442 French, Italian, and German postcards from the early twentieth century mounted in three albums. Once owned by a member of the Milford Haven family, the collection was accompanied by a 1960 typed catalogue and was acquired by E.J. Dingwell in 1960.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Printed postcard
- Dimensions
- Height (album): 7 cm; Width (album): 11 cm; Depth (album): 5 cm; Height (card): 9 cm; Width (card): 14 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Labels and text printed on album spine; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: 'C' / CARTES POSTALES / The Milford Haven / Collection of Post cards. / Sections 13, 14, 15 / Numbers 524 - 573 / " 582 - 601 / " 620 - 631'; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: printed on album cover; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: 'CLASSEAUR / ALBUM / CARTES POSTALES / Sections / 13 14 15 / The Milford Haven / Collection of Post cards. / / Numbers 524 - 573 / " 582 - 601 / " 620 - 631'; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Place recorded
- France
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- La Lecture Sainte
- Museum object number
- E.525:624-2001
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.