Friday, August 12, 2011

Bécassine - the story


Bécassin is considered the first female protagonist in the history of comics. She is a young Breton housemaid created by Jacqueline Rivière and Joseph Pinchon in 1905. She is considered the birth of the modern bande dessinée inspiring Hergé (The Adventures of Tintin) in the 1920s.

These books were seen in the window of a bookseller in Passage Jouffroy, a covered arcade in the 9ième arrondissement.

I first encountered this heroine through collecting antique fêves, which is another story...


Librarie Paul Vulin
Passage Jouffroy
Métro Grands Boulevards



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33 comments:

  1. Mary Ann PickettAugust 12, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Hmmm. Now I want the rest of your story.

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  2. Sylvia KAugust 12, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    Yes, me too! Your photos are always a delight, Genie! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, mon amie!

    Sylvia

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  3. beau gosseAugust 12, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    These would be enchanting as framed artwork in a baby or child's room! Thanks, Genie...and I await another installment for the rest of your backstory as well! ^_^

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  4. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Bécassine, c'est ma cousine. Non, elle ne m'a jamais fait rêver, mais elle a bercé mon enfance et m'a sans doute appris à aimer la campagne.
    Les rêves d'enfant ne s'oublient pas.

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  5. DianneAugust 12, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    I've not heard of Becassin before Genie but oh! I remember strolling up Passage Jouffroy well.

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  6. PetAugust 12, 2011 at 4:04 AM

    I haven't heard of Bécassine either, she is cute.

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  7. Shell SherreeAugust 12, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    These vintage illustrations are charming, as is the story behind them. Thanks for the Bécassine lesson, Genie.

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  8. biebkriebelsAugust 12, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I love those old books with illustrations.

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  9. MalyssAugust 12, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Meanwhile, boys were reading "les pieds nickelés. A little too old for me,when I was a kid I read the "Lili" stories (I still have them all!)Becassine was so famous that even today, her name is a way to say to a girl that she's not very clever..

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  10. diveAugust 12, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    Oh, what beautifully drawn covers!. I shall certainly look for some Bécassine next time I'm in Paris. Delightful, Genie.

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  11. PerthDailyPhotoAugust 12, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Now I am totally intrigued Genie, according to my French dictionaire, a 'feve' is a broad bean, so 'antique feves' somehow methinks I've lost something in the translation haha!I love that the first French heroine was way back in 1905, such forward thinkers the French!! Have a great weekend Genie..

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  12. MAugust 12, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    You certainly captured the rainbow of colors displayed in that lovely shop. I loved all the old children's books and magazines. You have put a smile on my face!

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  13. HalcyonAugust 12, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Cute. I love those stands full of colorful books. Which Becassine did you get in your cake?

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  14. VirginiaAugust 12, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I would love to frame a series of these covers and hang in a group!
    V

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  15. Hana de PragueAugust 12, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Thank you for sharing, Genie, I didn´t know it at all!
    Hana

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  16. AnnAugust 12, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Hmmm... that was really informative.

    Interesting story,
    love it,
    thanks for sharing ♥

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  17. BirdmanAugust 12, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    And will we hear the 'rest of the story'?

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  18. Kathryn DycheAugust 12, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Beautiful capture.

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  19. StarmanAugust 12, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    One imagines these are read primarily by the ladies.

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  20. martinealisonAugust 12, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    J'ADORE Bécassine... J'ai lu bécassine, j'ai dessiné bécassine... J'aime les poupée chiffon de bécassine...
    Superbe publication.
    Gros bisous

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  21. Rob-bearAugust 12, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    A lovely "book" with an interesting history. A delightful find, and picture, Genie.

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  22. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Not familiar with the comics, but does bring back delightful childhood memories when books were, still are, oh such good friends...even if they're on a Kindle. :) xox Alexandra

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  23. Janey and Co.August 12, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Okay. I will admit that I had to look up Feves....now I know..

    Love the colorful old illustrations !

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  24. PatAugust 12, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Although I was an adult even then, I loved to read Becassine. I almost bought a doll...

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  25. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    These books are adorable! The colors are so bright and colorful. I especially love old book...New books, old books any books. LOL

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  26. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    fantastic blog!

    kisses,
    Klaudia B.

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  27. LouiseAugust 12, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    I've never heard of Becassine. Thanks for the lesson Genie. And a lovely photo to look at

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  28. JackAugust 12, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    I know nothing about this, of course, but I am proud to report that my very first thought upon seeing it was Tintin.

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  29. RandyAugust 12, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I love the illustrations in children's books.

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  30. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 13, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    I have a little collection of children's books from France, most of which were picked up in the Latin Quarter from the used books sellers. I wish that I had purchased one of these.

    I did not know that Bécassine was considered rather dense and that her name had become a regular derogatory noun (or perhaps adjective as well). Her bright colors, the drawings so crisp... did you notice that she does not have a mouth?

    I will tell you the story of the fêves with photos very soon and weave the threads of Bécassine into the tale.

    Bisous,
    Genie

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  31. beau gosseAugust 13, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    The Fève
    The fève, or bread bean, is the first to emerge from the ground after winter. So in the Middle Ages, a broad bean was hidden in the King's Cake, symbolizing fertility and new life. The beans are still used in Kings' cakes today. But nowadays, the more popular prize is porcelain. Porcelain replaced the bean in the late 1800s. At that time, Germany was producing large quantities of miniature tea sets and dolls which ended up circulating throughout Europe. Bakers started placing these porcelain babies and toys in their cakes and continued to do so until World War I. When trade with Germany ended during war time, French companies took over fève production. In the 1940s, the plastic fève was born.Today's figurines come in every imaginable representation, sometimes based on classic icons, regions of France, cartoon characters, or even current films. Porcelain fèves are also available by special order and can be custom-designed around any theme or business.



    Read more at Suite101: The Kings' Cake & Festival of Kings in France: The Traditional French Fete Observed January 6th is Still Celebrated | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/france-the-kings-cake--the-festival-of-kings-a205037#ixzz1UsmqehCm

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  32. StarmanAugust 13, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    BTW, she does have a very obvious mouth.

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  33. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 13, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    beau gosse -- Thank you for the background on fêves... I will use it when I post the connection (for me) between collecting fêves and Bécassine.... Je te souhaite un bon weekend!

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Merci for your comments!