Don’t judge a book by its cover, because this one has some water damage, but the history inside is remarkable.
Produced at the dawn of the 20th century, an exceptional piece of Parisian retail and paper history of the Belle Époque, this original 1903 agenda from Le Bon Marché would have been used by the lady of the house for notes.
**But this one has more than a few surprises! The biggest surprise is a fold out map of Paris (at the very back) from 1903 that is still attached! It also contains the purchase notes of the home… nearly 3 pounds of bread every day! Drawings and cartoons abound, including an engraving of the inside of the Bon Marche kitchens. And to “sweeten the deal” a bit, there were a handful of items, presumably belonging to the original owner, that were tucked away. Doodles, lists, etc.
More than a planner, this piece represents a time when Paris set the standard for style, culture, and modern commerce — just a decade before the First World War.
I’ve seen some of the pages and maps from these on sale for quite a bit, but you can have the entire book!
Condition
This one has quite a bit of water damage to the cover and back and inside as well (see photos). The pages of the book have separated from the cover, however, all but a few separated in one large piece, adding to its character and authenticity. Please review photos carefully for details.
Don’t judge a book by its cover, because this one has some water damage, but the history inside is remarkable.
Produced at the dawn of the 20th century, an exceptional piece of Parisian retail and paper history of the Belle Époque, this original 1903 agenda from Le Bon Marché would have been used by the lady of the house for notes.
**But this one has more than a few surprises! The biggest surprise is a fold out map of Paris (at the very back) from 1903 that is still attached! It also contains the purchase notes of the home… nearly 3 pounds of bread every day! Drawings and cartoons abound, including an engraving of the inside of the Bon Marche kitchens. And to “sweeten the deal” a bit, there were a handful of items, presumably belonging to the original owner, that were tucked away. Doodles, lists, etc.
More than a planner, this piece represents a time when Paris set the standard for style, culture, and modern commerce — just a decade before the First World War.
I’ve seen some of the pages and maps from these on sale for quite a bit, but you can have the entire book!
Condition
This one has quite a bit of water damage to the cover and back and inside as well (see photos). The pages of the book have separated from the cover, however, all but a few separated in one large piece, adding to its character and authenticity. Please review photos carefully for details.
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