From: Gerda - sent from London, 14 Nov 1913; arrived Värml Nysäter 17 Nov.
The journey has gone [well so far], leaving for France tomorrow. Will write later. Greetings from sister Gerda. - It's very lively here ---- (the rest unreadable)
 |
| Fleur d'hiver (Winter flower) |
To: Gustaf Ekman, Speked, Värmlands Nysäter, Sweden
From: Gerda - sent from Paris, 18 Nov 1913; arrived V. Nysäter 21.11 1913
I found some more examples of Paris winter fashion 1913 here:
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O536464/hiver-1913-fashion-design-jeanne-paquin/
November 1913:
Since February or March 1913, Gustaf has been living in Värmlands Nysäter (in the province of Värmland, Sweden), probably working with felling/transporting timber. (Cf. the recent post Gustaf moves to Värmland) From these cards sent to him by Gerda in November, I learn that he is still there.
According to information from a relative (BW) some years ago*, between October 1912 and April 1913, Gerda was employed as lady's maid to a Swedish countess, Adèle de la Gardie (born Jacquier), at Sörby Ringstorp, Östergötland. According to BW, that employment ended when Adele went abroad.
I haven't yet searched for more info about Adèle, but I found a photo at https://swedishportraits.com/.
However, from the postcards above, sent by Gerda to Gustaf from London and Paris in November 1913, I can only conclude that Gerda must soon have found similar employment with some other lady, who also did want her as travel companion for journeys abroad.
Linking to: Sepia Saturday 597
*/ Gerdas yrkesbeteckning i hennes flerspråkiga betyg 1912-1928 var kammarjungfru, Lady's maid, femme de chambre.
1/10 1912 till 15/4 1913 i Sörby Ringstorp (Östergötland) kammarjungfru hos Adele de la Gardie (f Jacquier Frankrike gift 1911). Anställningen upphör när Adele reser utomlands. Gerda är skicklig i sömnad, hårskötsel, servering, talar engelska fullkomligt och har "some knowledge of dressmaking".
Nästa betyg är utfärdat i Lyon, France 28/9 1919. Gerda har arbetat som Lady's Maid o är en "excellent packer and hairdresser and a neat needlewoman".
Ur email från Bengt W (april 2013)
- - -
Gerda kom att arbeta som sällskapsdam åt rika engelska ladies som reste runt i Samväldet o USA. Hon skötte kläder o packade, biljetter mm. --- När första världskriget bröt ut var hon i Frankrike med en lady som reste till England medan Gerda fastnade vid fronten o blev där flera år.
Ur email från Bengt W (nov 2012)
A stunning rendition of the Claridge Hotel and the winter flower card is an excellent representation of Paris fashion of the day. Clever of you to use post cards to track Gerda's whereabouts and changes in employment. Look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Going through the old postcards is a long term project which I've been working on "on and off" for ten years by now. (Found them when going through my parents' house after they died.) There are about a 100 cards in Gustaf's album (c. 1901-1930) + I have some more as well. I keep returning to Gerda because she wrote a lot of the cards and was the one who travelled most and led the most 'interesting' life (working as lady's maid for some famous people)
DeleteWow - that Claridge Hotel was quite something! And I love the Paris fashion postcard. The exaggerated long slim line of the woman reminds me of how I was taught to draw fashion model sketches in art class.
ReplyDeleteLaN, yes, it's a typical Paris fashion image, isn't it ;)
DeleteIf I had a time machine, the first time and place I would travel to would be Paris in 1910-13. It was the center of culture, industry, science, and sophistication. Of course, I probably wouldn't enjoy it if I didn't bring a wallet full of sterling, francs, and dollars.
ReplyDeleteMike, it seems to me that my great aunt Gerda found a way to get a "whiff" of that life, without probably ever having a lot of cash of her own to spend :)
DeleteHow interesting to follow the lives through post cards!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, it's interesting and "teasing" at the same time. The most common line written on these postcards is "I'll write a letter soon" - but the letters have not been preserved...
DeleteJust read your reply to Barbara - so much of tracing our family stories is a big tease, isn't it? You are doing a good job of piecing together the bits and pieces that remain. The postcards are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy - and you are right of course. It's the same with family photos, they're just each a moment in time, never telling "the whole story"... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful legacy to have postcards that Gerda sent back home from her travels. My favourite has to be the Parish fashion card.
ReplyDeleteSue, yes, that fashion card is a gem, isn't it ;)
DeleteWhat an interesting life these postcards reveal.
ReplyDeleteThanks Virginia. I feel a bit like I'm "in a novel" while going through them and trying to piece things together in my head :)
Delete