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The next day, I woke up early. I was excited to continue my investigations. I took the bag of postcards and found this strange one. It shows clay figures!
♦️ Is this postcard based on one of Domenico Mastroianni's creations? Armand Noyer in Paris published many of this Italian sculptor's works. The scene was created using simple modelling clay. He made these sculptures especially to be photographed. Once the photo had been taken, the clay could be used again to create another scene.
Let's have a look at the back side
This postcard travelled all the way from Switzerland to St Petersburg, Russia, in 1911 — and now it's back in Switzerland again. So strange!
So many interesting postcards in the bag! Look at this one!
♦️ When this postcard was sent in 1908, from Trieste to Geneva, Trieste was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That is why we see an Austrian stamp on it. Today, it is an Italian city.
Turn the wheel inside the postcard to see the different views.
I was going through the postcards one by one, until it was time to have lunch with Paul at the Kursaal.
This postcard was sent on 18 April 1910. It shows us Geneva's Kursaal. In Europe, there are still many buildings called Kursaal, meaning "Cure Hall". During the Belle Époque, these multi-functional buildings (restaurants, ballrooms, theaters, gaming rooms...) were often situated in spa towns.
Over time, the word "Kursaal" came to mean an entertainment complex or a casino. In Geneva, our Kursaal was demolished in the early 1970s.
The view over the lake from the Kursaal’s restaurant was beautiful.
Paul was very excited and said: "I have some new information! The chimney sweep saw it all! That day, he saw a postman throw a bag from the street, and it landed right in front of my house!”
This postcard was never sent but the undivided back suggests a production date prior to 1904, in line with French postal regulations of the era. Published by A. Bréger frères in Paris.
Journal de Genève, 11.01.1881
In the 19th century, we know that some chimney sweeps working in Geneva were young boys from Savoy. In 1881, the Journal de Genève reported a serious accident of an 11-year-old chimney sweep named Emm. Bernard (maybe Emmanuel). While cleaning a chimney on the Rue de Coutance, the old chimney broke and the boy fell several floors. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Paul and I went to the post office to explain the situation. We were told that the bag probably belonged to a postman who had been fired a few weeks earlier because he had been stealing postcards for his own collection for years. The police had been following him for some time. He must have wanted to get rid of the bag when he noticed he was being followed.
At last, even if had taken a few years, the recipients will finally receive their postcards!
At last, even if had taken a few years, the recipients will finally receive their postcards!
Last day in Geneva. Sunny weather is perfect for a visite to Ariana Park.
This postcard was printed between 1906 and 1925. It shows the historic deer enclosures of Geneva's Ariana Park.
Here is the booklet of 24 souvenir postcards I bought before returning to London.
This undated booklet of 24 Geneva postcards was published in the early 20th century by the major French publisher Léon & Lévy, known as "Marque LL".
Behind every postcard, there are people and stories. A curious character like the “Père Idéal”, young chimney sweeps from Savoy, people enjoying the Champel Baths, or Geneva residents supporting their local sanatorium... Each postcard offers a window into the lives of those who lived here long ago.
These little details are part of the journey too.
Our adventure through these historical postcards ends here, but the people and stories of Geneva’s past still have much to tell us. I would be happy to share more of them with you during a guided tour.
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