Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

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Post Cards

Mucha Post Cards

Lot 1353 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Awakening of Morning". "Awakening of Morning" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, published by Champenois, Bowers & Martin no. 502. Undivided back. Overprint advertising La Belle Jardinière department store at top edge, recto and verso. Penciled notations on verso, minor toning, very faint album marks at bottom corners. In fine condition.

With its theme taken from a set of decorative panels published in 1899, this beautiful postcard is part of the same series as "Reverie of Evening" and "Repose of Night," also featured in this auction.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1354 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Design for a Soirée Program". "Design for a Soirée Program" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, published by Champenois, Bowers & Martin no. 507. Undivided back. Overprint advertising La Belle Jardinière department store at bottom edge, recto and top edge, verso. Minor toning. Fine to very fine condition.

Luxuriant hair, its curves echoed in the elegant drapery of her gown, cascades down the back of the lovely musician featured on this postcard.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Lot 1355 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "La Dame Aux Camélias". "La Dame Aux Camelias" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, published by Cinos, 1898, signed in the plate. Bowers & Martin no. 102. Undivided back. Unused, but addressed on verso. Minor toning, faint album marks at right edge. Very good condition.

Reproduced by Cinos from the original poster, this postcard features a full length image of Sarah Bernhardt, Mucha's most influential patron.
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 1356
Alphonse Mucha "Repose of Night". "Repose of Night" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, published by Champenois, Bowers & Martin no. 505. Undivided back. Overprint advertising La Belle Jardinière department store at top edge, recto and verso. Minor toning. In fine to very fine condition.

With its theme taken from a set of decorative panels published in 1899, this beautiful postcard is part of the same series as "Awakening of Morning" and "Reverie of Evening," also featured in this auction.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1357 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Reverie of Evening". "Reverie of Evening" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, published by Champenois, Bowers & Martin no. 504. Undivided back. Overprint advertising La Belle Jardinière department store at top edge, recto and verso. Minor toning. Fine to very fine condition.

With its theme taken from a set of decorative panels published in 1899, this beautiful postcard is part of the same series as "Awakening of Morning" and "Repose of Night," also featured in this auction.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1358 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Society for the Benefit of Austria-Hungary". "Society for the Benefit of Austria-Hungary" postcard as illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, Bowers & Martin no. 482. Undivided back. Verso shows light circular mark, minor toning, and a very small flaw to lower left corner. Overall, in very good to fine condition.

Beautiful depiction of a regal woman in a throne-like chair.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Lot 1359 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Vin Mariani". "Vin Mariani" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, Bowers & Martin no. 760. Divided back. Unused. Minor toning, minor foxing on verso. Fine to very fine condition.

Issued around 1910, this postcard was part of a series of drawings commissioned from various artists for the Vin Mariani spirits company. Mucha has used finely drawn lines, with dramatic shading, to mimic the style of an engraving.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

Lot 1360 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha "Vysko Exhibition, 1902". "Vysko Exhibition, 1902" postcard illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate, published by Jana Hona, Vysko. Undivided back. Used, penciled note in Czech, postmarked 1902. Minor toning recto and verso, penciled notations on recto in white field, water damage at far left edge has resulted in minor chipping and a stain, blue ink from another postcard has transferred to white field. Good to very good condition.

Designed to showcase the Vysko Exhibition of Agriculture, Industry and Ethnology. This image was taken from the first postcard created for his country in 1902, the image echoes Mucha's Paris work while adapting costume and background for the Czech audience.
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 1361 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha Photograph Postcard. This beautiful black and white postcard features a decorative panel of Mucha's "Byzantine Head -- Blonde" mounted on the wall behind a live model standing with an easel. Minor toning and very small chip at bottom corner. In fine condition.

The French caption to this tableau reads "Profile of a pure maiden. Her expression is deep and rapturous. The hair is abundant and styled in natural cascades. The body is supple with impeccable lines, molded cleverly in a silken fabric."
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 1362 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha Postcard Assortment I. Lot of four Alphonse Mucha postcards. This attractive assortment featuring the cards entitled: "Carnations" (Bowers & Martin no. 405), "Byzantine Head -- Brunette" (B & M no. 421), "Summer" (B & M no. 445) and a variant of "La Plume" (B & M no. 452). "Carnations" and "Byzantine Head -- Brunette" are signed in the plate. Undivided backs. Minor toning, a few visible album marks. Overall, very good to fine condition.

Mucha's unmistakable work, in beautiful variety.
Estimated Value $650-900.

Lot 1363 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha Postcard Assortment II. Lot of four beautiful Alphonse Mucha postcards, including: "Winter" (Bowers & Martin no. 404), "December" (month not printed, B & M no. 472a), "Design for Menu" (B & M no. 490) and "Reverie -- Variant" (B& M no. 506). All signed in the plate. Undivided backs. "Winter" shows significant album marks in three corners and "Design for Menu" is somewhat toned, otherwise, very good to fine condition.

Another lovely assortment with very desirable cards.
Estimated Value $650-900.

Lot 1364 Click on photo for enlarged version
Alphonse Mucha's Czech Period. Lot of three postcards illustrated by Alphonse Mucha, signed in the plate. 1. 8th Annual Sokol Festival in 1926, printed in Prague. Divided back. Used: postmarked July 5, 1926. Small amount of ink from postmark has bled through to white field, very minor corner wear. Very good condition. 2. 1928 Summer Festival, printed in Prague. Divided back. Unused. Minor toning, otherwise fine. 3. Nativity Scene, printed in Prague. Used: postmarked December 20, 1943. Faint pigment loss along soft crease. Fine condition.

Following World War I, Mucha returned to Czechoslovakia and his art changed. Commissioned to design new currency and postage stamps, Mucha immersed himself in the life of the newly formed country and spent the next two decades producing work with a distinctly Czech flavor.
Estimated Value $500-600.

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