Today is Bastille Day in France—called la fête nationale—that nation's most important annual historic celebration. It is a commemoration of the day in 1789 when revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress which the King used to imprison . . . well . . . anyone he wished. The Bastille had become a bitter symbol of the monarchy's unchecked (and unjust) domination over the French people. After four hours of fighting, the insurgents breached the citadel, releasing the seven prisoners who happened to be confined at the time. Although the fortress already had been scheduled for demolition, the Storming of the Bastille immediately became an important symbol of revolutionary action against an oppressive authoritarian. Even today, the French view the annual celebration with great pride—and it remains a potent reminder of the importance of democratic self-determination.
Today we share another handsome lion—which is now a letterpress greeting card—which had been inspired by an "advertising stamp" for the Lyon Fair. The Foire de Lyon was established in 1916 (in the middle of The Great War) as an exhibition to promote regional products and consumer goods. The show, which continues to this day, is open to the general public where attendees may see (and purchase) the latest in home furnishings, garden decor, fashion, foods and more. Manufacturers set-up stalls in different sections, depending upon the type of merchandise they are exhibiting.
The image shown above, created around the time of the first fair, was meant to symbolize strength, beauty, boldness and pride. And, of course, the lion represents the namesake city. Such advertising stamps were not used for postage, rather, they were attached (like Easter Seals) to mailed envelopes and other documents—to promote the fair. To learn more about these letterpress greeting cards, click the photo above.
More handsome LEOs tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.