Late 19th - 2 French Chicory Trade Cards - Williot Fils Poix-du-Nord Advertising - Victorian Era Chromolithography Art Prints - Ephemera

This lot presents a pair of beautifully illustrated French advertising trade cards from the late 19th century, issued by Williot Fils, a chicory manufacturer located in Poix-du-Nord, France. These cards, likely distributed as premiums with their products, showcase colorful chromolithography, a popular printing technique of the era. They depict charming scenes, characteristic of the period's advertising ephemera. Such cards were highly collectible, serving as an artistic embellishment and a marketing tool, promoting brand recognition for companies like Williot Fils, which proudly advertised its '33 Médailles' (33 Medals) and '3 Diplômes d'Honneur' (3 Diplomas of Honor), indicating its esteemed reputation.

The first card features a graceful woman standing in a doorway, holding a vase brimming with a vibrant bouquet of flowers. She wears a distinctive period costume, including a white cap, a green bodice, a full red overskirt, and a yellow underskirt adorned with patterns. Her attire suggests a fashionable domestic scene or perhaps a flower vendor. The intricate details of her dress and the delicate rendering of the flowers highlight the artistic quality of the chromolithography, creating a vivid and engaging image that captures a moment in time, reflecting the elegance and charm of the era.

The second card portrays a young man dressed in a red tailcoat, a yellow waistcoat, and green trousers, holding a tray laden with small cakes or pastries. He stands between two dogs: a seated brindle-colored dog on his left and a standing, partially shaved poodle-like dog performing a trick on his right. This playful and genteel scene, with its detailed depiction of the figures and their canine companions, evokes a sense of leisure and domesticity.