Sometimes, I pick up postcards without really knowing anything about them, or exactly what drew me to it. Sometimes, they seem just so odd that I need to have them. Like this one of a porcupine. With a crown!
Without too much effort, I found out that the porcupine was the symbol of French King Louis XII. He ruled from 1498-1515. At first, the porc-épic seems an odd choice, after all he's not nearly as large or ferocious looking as a lion. But then, think of the little guy's personal archery arsenal with those quills! Louis XII inherited the porcupine from his grandfather, but it soon fell out of favour as being too militant and aggressive a symbol though not before it graced the Blois and everything that could be emblazoned with it. Like these.
His successor, Francois I, who ruled from 1515-1547, chose a salamander as his emblematic symbol of fire and cold.
What a wonderful and wacky set of postcards! And the history behind them...my goodness. Thank you for sharing, and for all the research you've done. Wow!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend and happy Postcard Friendship Friday!
The cards made sense once I did the research! I have no idea when they were made though as none from the group were used.
Deletemaybe old Louis jut had a prickly personality
ReplyDeleteI didn't think Europe had porcupines. I feel a little humbled by my ignorance.
DeleteEnjoyed the history lesson.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the lesson, too :)
DeleteHi Violet, same as you, I learn a lot more from postcards too. Thanks for sharing this one with links also for more information!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
you're welcome (thanks for clicking on the links!)
DeleteThank you. Lovely new information previously completely unknown to me!
ReplyDeleteI had a dream last night that I made a name for my business but didn't know what to call it. That salamander has got me thinking about using my axolotls somehow. Perhaps I shall call my studio 'The Last Visible Axolotl'. Relevant since we are probably going to be selling all but one. What do you think? (Only slightly serious!).
I think you might spend a lot of time explaining what an 'axolitis' is!
DeleteI feel a post coming on.
DeleteFascinating stuff! The fact that I've been to both Blois and Chambord more than once and escaped noticing any of this is rather mortifying.
ReplyDeleteit will be our secret. but now, when you go back you can legitimately be surprised when you see them!
DeleteBoth of those are very cool I especially love the porcupine!
ReplyDeletehe was my favourite, too! I got the others because there were two of them and it seemed to go with the porcupine. now I understand why.
Delete