It’s been more than an extraordinary spring and summer 2020, thanks to Covid-19. For some of us the holidays and beach and the fashions which compliment these two seasons have been drastically modified, or cancelled altogether.
TVTA takes a look back at the pages of 1963 – to a calmer, pandemic-free time when spring and summer promised an abundance of fun and pleasure.
Photographs and illustrations courtesy of the 1963 spring-summer catalogue from La Redoute. La Redoute is one of France’s most successful clothing and home decor companies, founded in 1837 in Roubaix.
When the Ice Melts, the Polar Bear is Grumpy. By Jean-Marc Navello.
This Sunday morn, I was making my way to get a baguette and croissants in a part of town I seldom travel, when I came across this polar bear and other street art to make you stop and stare. In truth, I’d seen this the week before, but didn’t have my camera on me. This morning I did 🙂
Below: also by Jean-Marc Navello.
Below: The Kid… (artist unknown)
Below: the town mural. Many French towns and villages have huge murals like this one painted on a side of a building. This scene depicts the town in older and more rural days.
Magic!
Then there is the local primary school… and a huge, magnificent fantasy scene based on the town in magical days before us humans went trudging about early in the morn in search of a baguette and croissants…
The artist: Loïko
Le Rocher of La Garde. The 11th century castle and chapel depicted from alternative views…
Le Rocher. La Garde. photo par TVTA.
Below: perpetuating the myth of certain creatures which inhabit the New York sewer system (and we’re not talking about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Woof! (not Wooof)
Meow! (not Wooof)
And finally, a retro poster found about town… and another polar bear to end a post which began with a polar bear.
If you would like to learn more about polar bears, then check out TVTA’s polar-bear-in-a-fridge!!!
For now, that’s all folks. Thanks for taking an early morning stroll with us 🙂
“What the Fuck!” advert for Albert Learning dot com. 20Mins. 23 Oct 2015. France.
The French seem to have a love affair with the statement “What the fuck!” and say it often, at least the French people I know do. It always brings me a smile to hear them say this in certain situations of consternation. The advert above is a genuine ad found in a national free newspaper from 2015.
So it is with a smile that I dedicate this post to all “what the fuckery” everywhere during our current pandemic, and in honour of our dear Covid-19.
What the fuck, parks and beaches!
The selfish person’s pledge to social distancing rules:
I will go to the park or the beach whenever I like for my picnic and sunbathing needs. I will travel to my second home in the country for my holiday then return when my holiday is finished. I will do as I please because I have human rights and the sun is shining.
Depending on which part of the world you live in and what social distancing rules apply to you, the above pledge may resonate with the behaviours you are seeing from some fellow citizens.
You may have read the news story of the private jet holidaymakers forced by French police to fly back home after failing to claim their luxury spot in the sun in the south of France. What a waste of police time and jet fuel. It’s no real surprise to know that the super rich are still as eager to jump in their private jets and helicopters to seek out sunshine just as much as average family Joe Bloggs are in their cars zooming down the autoroute with suitcases packed. Some things never change on a Bank Holiday weekend in France – even in a pandemic…
But what the fuck! Please stay the fuck at home!
Lundby. Denmark. 1979.
There is no easy solution to the problem of people wanting to enjoy sunny parks and beaches during this pandemic other than please stay at home and be patient. Parks and beaches will still be there the next time around. I don’t have a garden, but do have a small terrace to catch some sun. Unfortunately, many don’t have even this small luxury. But you can still go out and feel the sun shining. Walk, jog, cycle. Just don’t gather and risk spreading the virus. It’s only a small sacrifice for hopefully only a short time. Lives are at stake.
For us, in France, choices regarding parks and beaches are made very easy… why? All our parks and beaches are closed. Good. Additionally, our 83 Département has recently introduced curfews. Good. And still, if you go out for essential needs you have to show papers. Well, good.
I’m no fan of these hard measures (what the fuck, what sane person ever would be?), but they’re put into place to help stop the spread of a virus we have no previous knowledge of, nor treatment for, nor vaccine against.
The reasons parks and beaches are closed in France are for the very same reasons sports stadiums, cinemas, restaurants and bars are closed – to stop people clustering together and spreading the virus… to prevent the collapse of health services… to help keep people alive… to help keep health professionals alive – the very people who are trying to keep everyone affected by this virus alive.
What the duck, holiday people!
Beach duck. Jouets Mont Blanc. 1969. France.
To the holiday makers and tourists who come to my heavily touristic region during this period of holiday sunshine in our current pandemic, I say to you:
are you aware you may bring Covid-19 with you and spread it here?
are you aware you may contract Covid-19 here and take it back home with you?
are you aware of the risk you are taking in creating extra burdens on a struggling health service?
are you aware that the already scarce food you are buying while on holiday is meant for the locals and workers?
I hope you reconsider your holiday for another time, like I will be doing. Or would be doing – as it stands, all my leave is cancelled until further notice. I don’t even have the luxury right now of planning a holiday, let alone taking one.
What the fuck, bread!
Wonder Bread Close Encounters of the Third Kind trading card and CE3K Skywatchers club offers. 1978. US.
The last two times I have been to the shops I didn’t find bread. Why? Are people still panic buying it? Hoarding it? Thousands of home freezers packed with the stuff? Is there trouble with truck deliveries? Are the recent holiday makers buying it all? It’s not just bread, but flour and burger buns and hotdog rolls are also scarce.
We managed to get in line for a supermarket home delivery (7 day wait). We ordered some bread. When the delivery came, there was no bread, it had run out, and we got refunded for that, plus other items that were no longer in stock when we first ordered.
I won’t complain too much. There are people in a million more times worse the trouble I’m in for lack of a sandwich.
Hovis Bread. Postcard. 1903. UK.
Reader's star letter:
“What the fuck TVTA! Where are all the new ads and pop culture goodies you usually publish at a decent rate? We want our vintage! Not flipping poems and pandemic mutterings all the while!”
A. Disgruntled. Gannow. West Midlands.
Dear A. Disgruntled. True, since lockdown, our regular places like flea markets and vintage shops where we source our paper works are temporarily closed. Additionally, our online sources are operating with longer delivery times, added to which our postal delivery service has been reduced by half. Vintage materials have never been so lacking at the offices of TVTA… not since 2013 when Wooof accidently sent our archives to the Arctic Circle in a time travel mishap involving an electric toothbrush and 150 kg of spaghetti. Wooof hates me telling anyone about this story, but it is largely the reason why we now have a polar bear in our fridge!
What the fuck! TVTA is 9!!!
Almost forgot, we just celebrated our 9th blogging birthday!!
Here is our digital birthday card from WP…
What the fuck! That’s all for now, folks!
Thank you for keeping your distance from us and staying out of parks !!
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within 1 metre of a person who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.
Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment). If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
We are aware of instances of animals and pets of COVID-19 patients being infected with the disease;
As the intergovernmental body responsible for improving animal health worldwide, theWorld Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been developing technical guidance on specialised topics related to animal health, dedicated to veterinary services and technical experts (including on testing and quarantine);
There is a possibility for some animals to become infected through close contact with infected humans. Further evidence is needed to understand if animals and pets can spread the disease;
Based on current evidence, human to human transmission remains the main driver;
It is still too early to say whether cats could be the intermediate host in the transmission of the COVID-19.
Disclaimer. This report is meant to offer an overview of the fluid impact upon a care worker in the French medical system. No names of any persons or institutions are given, and the reportage here concerns decisions made at a French national level which is available to the public at any time. No breach of confidentiality or professional workplace standards is made or implied. Any health advice stated here is exactly the same as that given by theWorld Health Organization public advice pages
One of the first jobs I did when I moved to France was working as a newspaper and advertising distributor. The newspaper in question was Metronews, which was launched 18 February 2002 as Metro then renamed Metronews in 2013 until it ceased print publication and moved online in 2015.
Metronews was hand-distributed on weekday mornings to commuters and students, and deposited in self-service racks in and outside of public buildings and city transport networks. The title was part of Metro International – a Swedish global media company since 1995 based in Luxembourg that publishes the range of Metro newspapers around the world.
Metronews was a freesheet newspaper, and it gained the bulk of its revenues from advertising, which ultimately led to its 2015 demise due to the growing trend of advertisers and readers migrating to online services. As a consequence of the print title ending, I, and the rest of my distribution team, lost our jobs and were offered free government re-training packages.
I remember my last morning as a distributor; Friday, July the third, 2015, the day the print title ended, handing out that final ever edition with mixed emotions: it would be a relief not to have to work in the noise and bustle of one of France’s big cities full of traffic fumes and freezing wind in the winter, and to not have to wear the green T-shirt and baseball cap uniform!… but I was sure going to miss some of my daily acquaintances, the early morning chats and improving my French language skills. Plus, as a writer, there was always plenty of inspiration to be found by observing human nature and the dynamics of people when spending significant time in a big city.
TVTA never misses an opportunity to archive!
Being as my blog has always been about pop culture advertising, it was only natural during my time with Metronews I saved some of the issues – including that last ever edition I mentioned… funny to think that each of the covers you are about to see I personally handed out at one time, thinking to myself: hmm, I must remember to save one of these to post up on my blog one day…
Front cover for the Meccano S.A. Catalogue Général, 1972, France, showing the new blue and yellow parts colour system.
Originally called ‘Mechanics Made Easy’, Meccano is a popular and enduring toy construction set invented in 1901 by Frank Hornby from Liverpool, England. Due to its huge success and demand, Hornby opened factories around the world, one of which features in today’s post – the Bobigny factory in France, which in 1951 was producing more than half a million Meccano box sets a day!
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Sept 2019. France. Ad Astra.
Welcome to part 3 of my ongoing web series showcasing print adverts and covers from French publication Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont Le Mag, featuring recent films you may have seen or are planning to see.
Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont, c’est une chaîne de cinema appartenant à Pathé, active en France, aux Pays Bas, en Suisse et en Belgique. Voici plusieurs couvertures et publicités de films récents, scannées à partir du magazine français Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont!
Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont is a cinema chain owned by Pathé, with operations in France, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. Here are some covers and adverts for recent movies you may have seen, scanned from the French magazine Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont!
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Avril 2019. France.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Jul 2019. France.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Mai 2019. France.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. July 2019. France. Playmobil: The Film.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. July 2019. France. Playmobil: The Film Pop’N Box promo.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. La Reine des Neiges II.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. J’ai Perdu Mon Corps.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. Terminator: Dark Fate.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Jul 2019. France. Le Roi Lion.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Jul 2019. France. Anna.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. Raymonda.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Jul 2019. France. Sider-Man: Far From Home.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Mai 2019. France. X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. Maléfique: Le Pouvoir du Mal.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Sept 2019. France. Gemini Man.
Pathé Gaumont Le Mag. Oct 2019. France. Le Mans 66.
Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.
The storybook and vinyl record was an opportunity for children to fully immerse themselves in their favourite fairy tale, nursery ryhme, song or film. As Disney proclaimed: children can “see the pictures” “hear the record” and “read the book”. Disney Records and its Buena Vista label, along with Peter Pan Records and its derivative Power Records, were among the first companies to explore this multi-media approach to entertaining children by releasing storybooks with a vinyl record. Later would come cassettes – adding a new dimension of ‘mobility’ to the experience, when children could listen on a Walkman and be free to move from room to room or even go outside.
In today’s post we take a look at some French storybooks and vinyl records aimed at the younger children’s market, featuring fairy tales, nursery rhymes and traditional songs. Especially, we take the opportunity to look at some of the artwork involved, and here we see wonderful illustrations from the likes of Biosca, Denise Chabot, Agathe Tran Quang My, Annette Moch and JP Huster who each contributed delightful art for many record sleeves and booklets aimed at children throughout 1960s and 1980s France.
The art of Denise Chabot from “Rondes Enfantines” storybook and record
The art of Annette Moch and JP Huster – “Fabulettes” 1964.
Anne Silvestre. “FABULETTES”. Dessins par Annette Moch and JP Huster. 1964.
The art of Biosca – “Fabulettes en Couleurs” and “L’école”
Anne Sylvestre “FABULETTES EN COULEURS”. Dessins par Biosca. 1983.
Anne Sylvestre “FABULETTES EN COULEURS”. Dessins par Biosca. 1983.
Anne Silvestre “L’ECOLE” Dessins par Biosca.
Anne Silvestre “L’ECOLE”. Dessins par Biosca.
The art of Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca – “Fabulettes” 1969
Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.
Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.
Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.
Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.
Walt Disney storybooks and records
Walt Disney Jungle Book. Storybook and record. 1983. France.
Waly Disney The Fox and the Hound. Storybook and record. 1983.
Walt Disney The Three Little Pigs. Storybook and record. 1968. France.
Little Red Ridng Hood
Little Red Riding Hood story and record with colouring pages. Le Petit Chaperon Rouge. Disque à Colorier. Artist and date unknown.
Thank you for “seeing, hearing and reading” with us 🙂
If you wish to become a successful blogger in this age of uncertainty,
you will need…
#1 –a ridiculous but click-worthy title. Like the one I’ve used for today’s post. Utterly meaningless. But somewhat intriguing. I’d click on it for sure.
You will also need…
#2 – attention-grabbing pic fairly early on, as some people simply won’t be bothered to read your words, no matter how good a wordsmith you are. I already added a cool pic at the start of the post, but here’s another one to keep things fresh…
How to handle your hamster correctly.
#3 – you will also need a sense of self-deprecation. As editor of TVTA I daily suck at many things. I try to do well but often fail miserably, or spectacularly. Here I am one time in Paris, trying to look cool but in reality taking up valuable image hosting space which could be used for something far more useful. Thank goodness I don’t have a Facebook or Instagram to share this photo on!
I eat croissants. Portrait of the artist in pre-tentious moment of vintage grandeur. Mon Dieu, I love France, and it’s curious and beautiful people, and old-school postcards, and display rack anti-theft devices.
To be a successful blogger in an age of uncertainty you will also need:
#4 – a loyal and intrepid office cat. Like TVTA’s very own Wooof! 75% of stuff that gets done around here can be attributed to the cat. The other 25% is me, but only because the cat has mind-control powers which I am unable to resist – no matter how often I wear my protective blue and red lens vintage 3D glasses, or the orange and purple-striped teflon-lined woolen jersey Mrs Coldkettle the tea lady knitted me last winter.
Wooof, TVTA intrepid office cat (in secret moustache and Dicky Bow disguise kit).
#5 – a fear of clowns. This will help you to focus, stay sharp, and keep you on your blogging toes at all times!
Run like the wind!
#6 – space ships. Statistics show that 71% of successful bloggers in an age of uncertainty have access to functional spaceships.
#7 – Giant motorised fruit and vegetables. A must-have for bloggers in an age of uncertainty!
#8 – you will also need a Karma Credit Roll…
What’s this?
A Karma Credit Roll, or as TVTA likes to sometimes call it The Boomerang In Your Arms Effect is quite simply the force of love. In the words of the great German thinker/Scorpions vocalist, Klaus Mein: “The more love you give, the more you’ll find.” In blogging terms this can be related to an appreciation of the works of your fellow bloggers to gain an appreciation of your own work, while at the same time creating an enriching environment for all.
#9 – you’re also gonna need a stack of vintage adverts, magazines and comics! (if that’s your thing). Luckily Wooof and I have a few thousand of these scattered around the place…
Pif Gadget. Empire Strikes Back cover and features. 1980.
Pif Gadget N°612. 1980. Flash Gordon.
Capitaine Flam. Pif Gadget N°636. 1981.
Pif Gadget N°476. 1978. Skateboard special.
My Little Pony. 1983.
1983. Mickey Mouse. Gervais ice cream.
Blackstar. 1985. France.
Music Tonic. 1988. France.
Rahan N°25. Pif Gadget N°668. 1982.
Corgi Superheroes. 1982. France.
Space stamps. 1982. France.
Droles de Dragons. 1982.
Darda Motor. 1984. France.
Donkey Kong. 1983.
Barbie. 1982.
#10 – and lastly, to be a successful blogger in an age of uncertainty, you will need to post a Top-Ten list of something you think is cool, even if it’s been done before, or it’s not cool, or it doesn’t make any sense – you absolutely must (by internet law) make a Top-Ten list of something… which is exactly what I’ve done with this post 🙂
Now, sit back, soak up all those likes, comments, reblogs, and endorsements from major corporations and Hollywood stars. You’ve earned it baby!
Suggested power song to blog to today: “The Best” by Tina Turner.
As always, thanks for looking 🙂
This post was brought to you by office cat disguise kits and top ten lists of top ten things to top ten list about when you generally avoid top ten things. No hamsters, fruit or vegetables were handled incorrectly in this production. All images courtesy of French comic/magazine Pif Gadget
