Photo of an early 20th-century advertising card for Le Bon Marche, Paris. The cards feature stories from "des Mille et une Nuits," or "1001 Nights." As a child, it was one of my favourite books; I still find it enchanting.
I do believe some of Aladdin's treasures are now on offer at the Antiquites Brocante at Place de la Bastille, Paris. I've just come from an exhausting round of shopping on opening day at one of the city's biggest twice-yearly brocantes. My eyes were as big as saucers, rather like Aladdin's in the illustration (above). Yes, I have treasures; lovely unusual treasures to show you in upcoming posts. And yes, I'll be returning to Bastille for more shopping Friday! Stands run up and down both sides of the Canal St. Martin and it's difficult to visit them all in one day. The brocante continues from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through November 18th. If you're in Paris, get your skates on, before the best things disappear!
The lovely Brenda Walton joined me for most of today's expedition; a few collectibles went home with her too. No doubt she'll be writing about the experience on her blog. Brenda and I saw an unusual Japanese man shopping at Bastille. He was so stylish, we couldn't take our eyes off him. He was probably early '30s, long black hair in a ponytail and had a big black object - like a small sword or bone of some sort - stuck in one pierced ear! He was also very tattooed, wearing a long leather coat, jeans, high black leather boots - as though he stepped off the cover of GQ. I was dying to take his photo, but it would have seemed too awkward.
He bought several antique glass jewelry boxes from my friend's stand. As he didn't speak French, he had an interpreter with him. Later, my friend told me the guy was a jewelry designer and had bought several similar decorative boxes last year at Bastille. As they proved a hit in Japan, today he bought all my friend had - nearly a thousand euros' worth!
The landscape may have changed, but the exterior look of Le Bon Marche remains much the same as depicted in this illustration.
What a fun person to stumble upon ... isn't it interesting how many lives and stories are crammed into a brocante? Won't it be interesting to think of the places those decorative boxes will end up? Wish you had a picture of him, but your description painted him in my mind! xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 12 November 2007 at 13:46
Awesome! I am truly glad to be here today and glad that I could give a mere award.
Please do come and pick it up:
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-award-roar-for-powerful-words.html
Posted by: gautami tripathy | 11 November 2007 at 15:38
Can't wait to see all your goodies!
Posted by: Rosa | 11 November 2007 at 02:59
Alladin looks a lot like Errol Flynn. ;)
:)
Posted by: Amber | 09 November 2007 at 23:23
what an enchanting place ~ i hope to visit it someday too. and mr.gq.japan sounds so intriguing. too bad you didn't have a bow-tie that was really a camera so you could get an inconspicuous shot of him to share with your devouted blog friends. :o)
Posted by: studio wellspring | 09 November 2007 at 19:06
Lovely illustrations - what a find!
Posted by: tinker | 09 November 2007 at 14:01
Love love love Brenda walton!!!!!! always have, always will.
Posted by: judy wilkenfeld | 09 November 2007 at 12:14
Tara dear,
Thanks so much for our morning of adventure! What a treasure trove of delights. I'm so glad to have been invited...I'll be dreaming about it for years to come!
xoxoxo Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Walton | 09 November 2007 at 09:42
Ooooh, the Japanese man sounds intriguing. Sounds very handsome too. I am surprised you of all people couldn't sneak us a photo! Shoot.
Unlike Pam, I am NOT waiting patiently for the photos...I am tapping my foot. LOL!
I love your finds, I'll wait patiently if I must.
I too am intrigued by genies, Aladdin, and jewels of any shape or form. As a child, I pictured myself growing up to become some kind of purple silk wearing gypsy-belly dancer type.
You?
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 09 November 2007 at 06:17
I am waiting patiently to see all the wonderful treasures!!!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 09 November 2007 at 01:26
Lovely, lovely treasures!! And another day spent with Brenda. Delightful!
Posted by: Cherie | 09 November 2007 at 00:55
We used to have a great department store chain here called the Bon Marche (and it was), then it became the Bon, now it is Macy's and the name isn't nearly as charming or tempting. The downtown store was built around 1900, beautiful architecture. An ad in the 70s ran "buy your bon bag chairs at the Bean Marche"...sure got everyone's attention and giggles.
Posted by: martina | 08 November 2007 at 23:10
wish i could come along with you to visit la bastille and the famous marché aux puces in search for sheherazade...
Posted by: marita | 08 November 2007 at 23:02
Lucky YOU m'dear! And Brenda too!
I left her a comment earlier today.
The Asian man sounds wonderful and Aladin's invitation to Au bon Marche is magnifique!!
Posted by: rochambeau | 08 November 2007 at 22:34
Hi Tara,
Catching up with your posts here...oh this Brocante (I'm assuming it means something like an amazing flea market, or antiques fair??) I can't wait to see the treasure's you came home with. I must go over and view your petit tresor pages!
I am vaguely familiar with 52 projects but need to go back and refresh my memory.
x....x
stephanie
Posted by: stephanie | 08 November 2007 at 20:46
We always like to pretend that advertising was a modern invention. I always get a kick out of the past and how little has changed.
Hope you have a great weekend Tara, we'll be away with friends.
Posted by: Brian | 08 November 2007 at 19:10
Good score! (I'm a 1001 Nights fan too.)
Posted by: fleur | 08 November 2007 at 18:40