| Absinthe Books VIII - Histoire d'une Bouteille |
Probably the most influential French prohibitionist tract was J. Baudrillard's "Histoire d'une Bouteille", a series of illustrated
lectures on the dangers of absinthe and alcohol. Widely distributed in schools and workers' unions by the Ligue Nationale, it
combines a highly selective reading of the then current scientific research into the effects of alcohol, with the story of
Jean-Louis, a young working man, whose life is ruined - and eventually ended - by alcoholism. Published at the turn of the
century, the book went through many editions, and was also circulated at temperance meetings in the form of illustrated
cards - see the full series below. See also the temperance poster prepared for use in schools: L'Alcool Voila L'Ennemi.
lectures on the dangers of absinthe and alcohol. Widely distributed in schools and workers' unions by the Ligue Nationale, it
combines a highly selective reading of the then current scientific research into the effects of alcohol, with the story of
Jean-Louis, a young working man, whose life is ruined - and eventually ended - by alcoholism. Published at the turn of the
century, the book went through many editions, and was also circulated at temperance meetings in the form of illustrated
cards - see the full series below. See also the temperance poster prepared for use in schools: L'Alcool Voila L'Ennemi.
| Jean-Louis as a young man of 20, and after five years of absinthe drinking. |
A famous series of illustrations from the book, based on the experiments
of Dr Laborde, showing a guinea pig succumbing to the effects of absinthe.
of Dr Laborde, showing a guinea pig succumbing to the effects of absinthe.
The book itself portrays Jean-Louis' descent
into alcoholism in a series of pen and ink
sketches - these were worked up into full colour
versions for the illustrated card series.
His path to ruin starts when, encouraged by his
friends, he begins drinking absinthe.
into alcoholism in a series of pen and ink
sketches - these were worked up into full colour
versions for the illustrated card series.
His path to ruin starts when, encouraged by his
friends, he begins drinking absinthe.
Click on the Adobe icon to see scans of the French text of all 12 episodes on the reverse
of these cards. Click on the thumbnails below to see the illustrations.
of these cards. Click on the thumbnails below to see the illustrations.
At right:
Original advertisement for the book by J. Baudrillard at 1fr 25,
and the associated cards "La Famille et l'Alcool" designed by
Jean Geoffrey at 2 fr 50 per pack of 12.
The images were also available, as part of Libraire
Delagrave's "Enseignement Antialcoolique", in the form of
cartons and pamphlets, and as glass projector slides.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.
Original advertisement for the book by J. Baudrillard at 1fr 25,
and the associated cards "La Famille et l'Alcool" designed by
Jean Geoffrey at 2 fr 50 per pack of 12.
The images were also available, as part of Libraire
Delagrave's "Enseignement Antialcoolique", in the form of
cartons and pamphlets, and as glass projector slides.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.
| Click on the thumbnails above, to view enlarged images. |
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