1. I told you we went to the Marché aux Puces at Vanves, right? Well, this is one of the treasures I couldn’t resist. Set me back all of 5 euros, and I suspect it’sits 60s-70s kitsch will amuse the grandkids (and its tinny, tuneless cranking may get it put back quickly on that high shelf…
2. At the same flea market, I was delighted to find a stack of handwritten dinner menus, dated from 1905 through to about 1915 or so. 7 or 8 courses, written out carefully in a beautiful hand, many on cards designed for that purpose, some of which had charming illustrations. 7 euros each, she said (en français, toute la conversation), but 2 for 12, 3 for 15….I picked up 5 for 20, and I suspect we were both equally pleased with the exchange. I think I’ll frame a few together, and perhaps save one or two as little gifts.
3. You can still buy Menu cards, and if you need calligraphy supplies for lettering them, this shop on Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe has those as well. Mélodies Graphiques, it’s called. A wonderful rabbit hole of a shop, a place to stock up on beautiful cards that are gifts in themselves (I gave my friend Alison one on her birthday last year and I noticed the other day that it’s still on display over a year later). If you’re afraid you’d never emerge from such a tempting treasure box, you can savour the magical windows. (As well, if you’re interested, you could read my much longer postcentering around a purchase I made here several years ago)
4. One of the 900 buttons crafted by Henri Hamm (1871-1961)
And displayed thus (thanks to my sister for this great mise en abîme shot of me photographing for you)
as just a small part of the fabulous Déboutonner la Mode exposition at La Musée des Arts Décoratifs. A splendid, astonishing exhibit, well worth the visit.
5. And finally, just because Silliness is its own kind of virtue (No? Not so? Oh dear), I spotted this on a hand dryer in one of the washrooms I visited, and it made me giggle. Check Willy-Willy. At a mixed-gender washing station. The dangers of the idiom exemplified yet again.
Now I’m off to my last department meeting ever. Mixed feelings, yes, and that’s okay.
Hope you enjoyed my Five Idiosyncratic Paris Things. Wishing you a Very Happy Friday!
Fun post. Those dinner menus will be lovely framed.
Thanks, Lorrie. I think they will . . .
Such beautiful ephemera and trinkets. Not so ephemeral after all:). True objets.
Bits and bobs, but they bring joy. . .
Oh those menu cards! What a great eye to spot those.
The difficulty was in leaving most of the stack behind . . . 😉
The menus! Awesome – and what a score.
Right?! I can't help wonder about trying to replicate a dinner. . . the work!
Small souvenirs can hold many memories. I did go back to the earlier post and it reminded me of my time at Village St-Paul. We don't seem to take the same delight in paper here. In Paris, there are the papeteries and Oaxaca has several papelerías that I saw. A little note or card to a friend is such a happy gesture.
It's true! There are so many wonderful papeteries in France, and I like to stock up — nothing like getting a hand-written card in the mail. There's a new store on Burrard, though, just off Robson, that seems promising although I haven't managed to step inside yet.
Lowering the tone here, but your washroom discovery had me chortling again at my discovery in a ladies' loo in Prague that alongside Soap Susie (so labelled) the loo roll was dispensed by Big Willy…
Regaining composure – what a wonderful array of calligraphy supplies. Were you tempted to come home with the odd pen or nib?
Oh, so glad you were willing to go the low route — I felt rather chastened by all the other readers ignoring the bathroom humour . . .;-)
I did want to pick up a fountain pen, because I'd recently resolved I'd like one again, but I decided I needed to put more time and thought into the research around the purchase. There's a lovely pen shop in Vancouver, but I might also wait and buy one next time we're back in Paris. . .
So fun. Thank you for sharing.
You're so welcome, Mardel. Glad you enjoyed.
Willy-Willy made me recall a scene created by my sister and I when we happened upon a particularly situationally appropriate Bible verse sticker in a washroom in Florida…..possibly the pure-er mind that stuck it up didn't get the connection, or did and was just less vulgar than we are? One can hope.
Great travel memories should include bathrooms.
Ceci
Now I'm really curious . . .;-)
Delightful; and your "last department meeting ever" is momentous enough all on its own. It may be an almost out-of-body experience… a similar event was, for me.