Antique & Vintage Postcards

A gap-toothed cartoon girl in a red dress clutches flowers and a birdcage, her luggage stickered from a dozen imaginary adventures — "Gedenkenis uit Antwerpen" (Souvenir from Antwerp) announces this whimsical Belgian novelty postcard, and inside its clever envelope construction lies a concertina of sepia miniature views of Antwerp's greatest landmarks. The leporello reveals the Aanlegplaats en Steen (quay and Het Steen castle), the Zicht op de Schelde (view of the Scheldt river with sailing masts), the Brabo fountain and the Huizen der Groote Markt (guild houses of the Great Market), and the Algemeen Zicht en Kathedraal (general view and Cathedral of Our Lady). Antwerp, Belgium's great port city and diamond capital, was occupied during World War II (1940–1944), making souvenir cards from this era poignant artifacts of a city under duress or recovering from occupation. The illustration style — bold lines, bright primary colors — is consistent with Belgian/Dutch commercial art of the late 1930s to late 1940s. The card is unused, with the leporello interior in fair condition showing age toning.