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Wednesday 30 May 2012

Champion Birouk, chien des Pyrenees, a M. Dretzen

"Did I do okay?", my friend Ronna asks.  She found this in a small market in France.  She told me that there were a lot of Pyr cards...she couldn't buy them all...so Ronna picked up ones that she knew I would be interested in.  She "did good" as I didn't know that this card existed and was very glad to add it to my collection.  This Pyr is identified as Champion Birouk belonging to M. Dretzen.  M. Dretzen's name comes up in early breed literature which, at a later time, I will dig up and expand on.  Cartes-postales de "L'Eleveur".  A very striking dog.

No 66 Chiens des Pyrenees

One of my favourite cards. Toute la France.  Editions JOVE Pau (B.P.). Heliogravure de Luxe. Gardiens des troupeaux contre l'ours.  Perros pirenaicos - Guardianes de las reses en la montana - Pyrenean dogs (sheep-dogs against bears).  Once very hard to find, I have now seen quite a few in my searches.  I love the expression on the standing Pyr...makes me smile each time I see it.

Tuesday 29 May 2012

2038 Chiens des Pyrenees

A lovely family portrait of two adult Pyrenees and a puppy.  Interesting that the dog on the right has very little coat, especially on the legs.  There is little written on this card to suggest a publisher.  The "clover" on the bottom right might be a publisher mark.  Some more research might lead us to the answer.  This card, and other "family" cards are highly sought after and much more difficult to locate.

Les Pyrenees 1020 BAMBO

Les Pyrenees (2e serie) 1020 BAMBOU Chien des Pyrenees. 1er prix a l'exposition Canine de Toulouse.  I also have the same postcard as the 3e serie.  This dog is identified which makes this card more intriguing.  Who was the breeder?  Who was the owner?  Is this Pyr behind any of your pedigrees?  This is a common card that you should be able to find with a bit of effort.  I can't make out what is written in red in the lower left corner, unfortunately the dark greys interfere with the lettering.  Perhaps you will have better luck.  As with most of the cards here this card is from the 1910's.

Monday 28 May 2012

Especes Canines. Race des Pyrenees

"Chien blanc, oreilles tachees gris noir - 1 an."  Cliche Gaillard.  Although this postcard looks like a photographic image of a Pyrenees if you look closely you will see that the dog is, in fact, a well executed drawing.  Perhaps the drawing overlayed a photo image of a Pyr.  The card itself does not indicate one way or the other.  In the lower right corner, just beneath the dog's front feet, there appears to be a very faint signature of the artist.  Another postcard may show this clearer.

1016 VISCOS Jeune Chien des Pyrenees (1 mois)

First a story...Ronna and I have been great friends for many, many years.  We met at a dog show..she showed her beautiful Landseer Newfoundland puppy and I, my Great Pyrenees.  When I found out that she lived in the same town and had sheep a connection was instantly made.  Over the years we competed together, handled each others dogs and even entered a team obedience competition.  We had 2 teams - the "Ebony and Ivory" team (Pyr, Newf, Pyr, Newf) and the "Oreo Cookie" team (Newf, Pyr, Pyr, Newf).  Needless to say, the dogs did as expected and scored low in the exercises but we were the crowd favourite!  So, why am I telling you this?  Ronna, bless her heart, travels to Europe frequently and occasionally surprises me with what she finds while browsing through the local markets.  I have her to thank for several of the cards that appear in this blog...this puppy one included.


The caption on the face of the card reads, Les Pyrenees (2e Serie) Phototypie Labouche Freres Toulouse.  The card features a Great Pyrenees puppy at the age of 1 month.  I'm assuming that 'Viscos' is either the puppy's name or kennel name.

Sunday 27 May 2012

278 Lourdes. Bergers des Pyrenees

This is for Jan.  Sometimes you live just right.  What looked to be 2 specks in the arms of the shepherds did indeed turn out to be 2 Pyr puppies!  Sold!!  Auctions can be a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work when you are looking for that one new card to add to your collection.  This card is postmarked from the Pyrenees so we can identify the date, however, you can't read it!  It has a wonderful inscription on the backside, written in ink with beautiful strokes of the pen.  It begins..."Chere cousine".. but, alas, my French is limited and I will need to spend more time translating the old script.  Something about impossible to arrive at the home and embarrassment.  Edition F. Viron.

Les Pyrenees 73 Chiens de Montagne

A fairly common card in a variety of editions.  This is a later version.  The original had a large post and fencing that have been removed from the later ones.  Again the series numbers vary - 73 or 401 in the newer cards.  Some cards are hand coloured.  "Yan" is either the photographer or printer (see right lower corner).  Sireygeot, edit. Limoges-Lourdes. Edition QUINAULT, Lourdes.  These wordings appear on other cards.

14 Scenes et Types des Pyrenees

"Guides et Chien de Montagne".  I notice on the card I posted the numbering of the card is different than the two I have in front of me.  The number 22 is on the front of one other card.  On the back of the card - "Scenes Meridionales.  Guides et chien des Pyrenees.  Moins connu que le Saint-Bernard, le chien blanc des Pyrenees, intelligent, docile et resistant, a souvent ete l'auxitiaive precieux des guides de haute montagne".  My apologies for any spelling errors.  This card came out in a vast variety of reprints and sizes, some cards were hand coloured.  This is an easy card to find for those fanciers wishing to start their own postcard collection.  Used to get cards for about $1.00 apiece but their popularity has raised that considerably.  Now it's not uncommon to pay $8 to $20 a card.  

11 Scenes et Types des Pyrenees

This is the first vintage Pyr postcard on this blog.  I will list the name of the card in the title and any details I can decipher in the blog itself.  This card has been reproduced several times.  None of my cards have the date on but my guess would be about the 1910's.  Many of the early cards from France were from recognized kennels in that country.  Lots of dogs appeared on more than one card.  This particular card had "Galeries Catholiques, Lourdes" on  the front and another (same photo) card had the photographer's mark "Cap".  C.A.P. is an abbreviation for who knows what but the address of the printer is 44, rue Letellier, Paris.  Wonder if this printer still exists.  I have seen several connections to Lourdes in my collection of cards.  Would be interesting to find out why this region was so important to the breed.  Any one know the name of this dog?


My goal is to post a card every few days, so keep checking in to see what is new.  If you have an image you would like to share I can be reached through the comments (will contact you privately).

From France with Love

I have had a remarkable 35 years with Pyrs and during that time have discovered the beauty of vintage postcards from their country of origin - France.  This blog is designed to share with you my finds and, hopefully, ones from other Great Pyrenees / Pyrenean Mountain Dog fanciers from around the globe.  Enjoy!