just when you think you’ve seen it all
there’s always someone and something new to discover. these adorable illustrations are by Leo Fontan, 1883-1965. i found them on flickr searching ‘risque french’ and just fell for them. It’s a set 6 that owner frank long found in a secret compartment of his grandfather’s desk. he believes they’re souvenirs of the Great War. i think they’re early flappers.
well, i have to a deadline but saw them knew you’d love them! do you know the artist? i didn’t. gonna google him now. ok, bonne nuit!



























































A Gift Wrapped Life replied:
Are you sure these aren’t the original naughty pics? Maybe not……don’t think the shoes are too sexy-lol!
Just having some fun, they are lovely Claudia ~xo
Maybe they were ads for hosiery?
March 24, 2010 at 3:04 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
hey sande! i don’t think those shoes will ever come back in style but the garters never left and never will. funny how some things stick.
March 24, 2010 at 4:29 am. Permalink.
ahelluvamama replied:
Claudia,
You always find the best!
~Melissa
March 24, 2010 at 4:35 am. Permalink.
Vicki Archer replied:
Adorable….xv
March 24, 2010 at 6:37 am. Permalink.
yvonne replied:
Fantastic, love,love,love them..
yvonne
March 24, 2010 at 6:37 am. Permalink.
julienne replied:
Frank Long’s Grandfather was obviously a leg man!!!!!
March 24, 2010 at 10:15 am. Permalink.
Karena replied:
Love these,they remind me of Vargas’ works!
Karena
Art by Karena
March 24, 2010 at 3:44 pm. Permalink.
Bonjour Romance replied:
Bonjour Claudia,
Risqué French? My how times have changed. I’ll stick to this idea of risqué thank you. Great photos of all those wonderful stockings.
Bonne journeé,
Mimi
March 24, 2010 at 10:46 pm. Permalink.
Christine replied:
The pictures remind me of the scene in “It Happened One Night” where Claudette Colbert shows Clark Gable how to hitch a ride!!!
March 25, 2010 at 12:09 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
right! i love that movie…and that was a hilarious scene! clark gable was so drole!
March 25, 2010 at 1:08 am. Permalink.
Ro replied:
I guess they would have been considered porn in that era!
March 25, 2010 at 12:44 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
the leg…another something that never changes, especially since it has some taboo allure or something. as they say (or said): in olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, now heaven knows….anything goes!
can you imagine their parents when they saw what radicals their daughters were?!
March 25, 2010 at 1:13 am. Permalink.
sacredcheryl replied:
Beautiful illustrations, what a great find !!
March 25, 2010 at 7:30 am. Permalink.
sundaygirl24 replied:
Naughty Grandpa long! what a kinky old dog! Vintage porn is so much more appealing than the horrible images you get now. These have a touch of romance, passion and tease. Surely that is more sexy than the vulgar displays spread across Hustler and the like?
xx
March 25, 2010 at 7:42 am. Permalink.
Elaine Power replied:
Gorgeous what a great find! Elaine :)
March 25, 2010 at 11:57 am. Permalink.
Berlin replied:
Ooh these are fetish cards! Lovely yet naughty!
March 25, 2010 at 10:27 pm. Permalink.
Lauren replied:
These are fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Love the story behind them too!
March 26, 2010 at 1:06 am. Permalink.
ElizaWard replied:
The shoes remind me of these Clarks pumps that came out a few years ago. I actually kind of like them!
March 26, 2010 at 1:24 am. Permalink.
Terresa Wellborn replied:
One word: gorgeous. Thanks for the intro to Leo Fontan!!
March 26, 2010 at 4:57 am. Permalink.
Paulette replied:
Oh I found these so fabulous I had to look Mr Fontan up on Google and found some of his fabulous postcards for sale on Ebay. The very same images…here is one of the links…beautiful for any collection: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/art-Leo-FONTAN-Erotic-n-Nude-Stockings-1910s-postcard-b_W0QQitemZ380205018992QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5885fc2f70
Thanks so much! xoxo, paulette
March 26, 2010 at 8:54 pm. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
oh they’re fabulous aren’t they?! thank you so much for sending that link!
i want to buy them but want the whole set!
March 26, 2010 at 9:01 pm. Permalink.
the zhush replied:
These are so great, retro risque…gotta love it!
March 27, 2010 at 1:52 pm. Permalink.
La Petite Plume replied:
Your Majesty,
These are just wonderful images and what a find! I do so wish we could just wear our stocking like this again! What a great collection to frame:)) thanks for sharing:) Have a great weekend Queenie:)
Besitos,
Daisy
March 27, 2010 at 5:53 pm. Permalink.
Dandelion Daydreamer replied:
sometimes you just cant beat the oldies! Thank you for sharing, my first visit to your lovely blog, I live in France yet am still drawn to everything french online too :) Have a nice weekend!
March 27, 2010 at 10:49 pm. Permalink.
viva la sk replied:
These are so wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us :)
April 5, 2010 at 7:21 pm. Permalink.