Block numbered in one place: 115., Image of two well-dressed men on horseback in a natural setting. One of the men has a bird on his wrist, and points with the other hand toward what appears to be a walled city in the distance., Attributed to George H. Matthews & John Robinson by S. Robert Teitelman. George Matthews was in a partnership with John Robinson between 1867 and 1869., Tape (inscribed “1807”) on obverse., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., , Provenance:, , Variant:
The valentine shows a woman riding sidesaddle. The border shows cupids and hearts; one cupid shoots a heart out of a thimble cannon labeled "Love"; another cupid travels with a heart in a hot-air balloon; and another cupid hammers at a cracked heart below a heart on a fishhook labeled "Caught." The valentine perhaps suggests that her horsemanship leads to improper contact with men., Text: Oh! proud must be the noble steed / Yon lady fair that carries, / And sensible the swain, indeed, / For her consent who tarries. / Blest be the man who on to horse- / Back daily tosses her up, / Toys with her lovely feet, of course, / And puts it in the stirrup!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Shows a mannequin attired as a Moroccan rider surrounded by panels adorned with Moroccan decorative tile work. Two other costumed figures inhabit the space. Another exhibit with furniture is seen in the distant background. The exposition held April 1-November 3, 1867 celebrated the technological and economic progress of the Second Empire, as well as originated the classification system followed by proceeding international exhibitions., Title printed on mount., Blindstamped on mount: Concession Unique., Yellow mount with rounded corners., Photographer's imprint printed on verso: M. Leon & J. Levy Ferrier, Sucrs. de Ferrier pere et fils et Soulier, 113, Boulevard de Sebastopol, 113 Paris. Vues sterescoptique sur verre de L'Exposition Universelle de 1867 ainsi que de tour les Pays, Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
M. Leon & J. Levy
Date
[1867]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Michael Zinman World's Fairs Collection - Stereographs [P.2008.36.41]
A man wearing gloves, a top-hat, spats and a monocle is riding a horse. The bucking horse has caused him to drop his riding crop and his monocle has fallen out of his eye., Text: A holy show you are, indeed, / When mounted on your bony steed; / To see you ride in your queer style / Would almost make a dead man smile. / If you know how gawky you look, and green, / You would never again on a nag be seen., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A soldier rides a small horse and holds out his sword. He has white mutton chops and wrinkles. The text suggests that although he can conduct himself in business ("exact a charge"), he is a poor horseman., Text: I see your feet are mighty large, / Your nose is somewhat larger; / And though you can exact a charge / You cannot mind a charger. / Your happy Valentine I ne'er can be, / So from my presence you will please to flee., "512", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A Union soldier rides a horse without a bridal and clings to its neck. His feet are out of the stirrups, his cap is off, and his sword is in the air., Text:"Bring forth the steed! the steed was brought," / And on his back to mount you thought; / But don't you think for a Dragoon, / That you commenced almost too soon? / Before you bade the ground good bye, / Why did you not a hobby try?, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A large Union dragoon rides on a small horse. "Old Dobbin" was an affectionate name for horses. The valentine mocks his poor horsemanship., Text: Men don't ride, my dear friend, to the red scene of slaughter, / Just as if they were taking old Dobbin to water; / You seat in the saddle is loose and ungainly, / Turn your knees in, and don't to your stirrups trust mainly; / Like an ox-goad don't carry that good piece of steel, stir, / Nor back into the next horse's chest when you wheel sir! / I know from the country you're fresh, but with training / There will soon be no trace of the rustic remaining; / If your heart's in the cause, all the rest will come easy, / But in hopes you'll improve. / If you do, I incline, sir, / To have you -- next year-- for my true Valentine, sir., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
