| Absinthe Ephemera VI - Photographs |
| Original photographs showing absinthe drinking are particularly important, as they offer first hand evidence of the social context in which absinthe was served. |
A group of men pose in front of a spring with a table
set for absinthe - notice the Pernod Fils bottle, carafe
and typical bistrot glasses.
Please contact Oxygénée if you have any information
that might help with the identification of this photo.
set for absinthe - notice the Pernod Fils bottle, carafe
and typical bistrot glasses.
Please contact Oxygénée if you have any information
that might help with the identification of this photo.
The increased respectability of absinthe
drinking among the bourgeoisie in the years
around 1900 is typified by this photo showing
the director of the Kursaal in Enghien and his
wife enjoying a glass of Pernod Fils.
drinking among the bourgeoisie in the years
around 1900 is typified by this photo showing
the director of the Kursaal in Enghien and his
wife enjoying a glass of Pernod Fils.
| A photo-postcard showing a group of Marseilles tram conductors mocking the temperance movement by posing as the "Ligue Anti-Alcoolique Catalan", while each holding a glass of absinthe. On the table is a bottle of Absinthe Cusenier. Spoof photographs of this kind were a popular novelty in the pro-absinthe camp. Click on the image below to enlarge. |
| Undated photograph of a working man posing with an absinthe bottle and glass, his wife and child in the background. Click on the images to see enlarged versions. |
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These scans are taken from an original glass negative,
circa 1910. They show the preparation of three absinthes in
Chope Yvonne glasses (the third is probably for the
photographer!). Note the use of two sugar tablets for at
least one of the glasses.
circa 1910. They show the preparation of three absinthes in
Chope Yvonne glasses (the third is probably for the
photographer!). Note the use of two sugar tablets for at
least one of the glasses.
A remarkable print, one of three made from the original glass negative before it was accidentally destroyed.
This photograph was likely intended for a never-released publicity carton, and was intended to mimic the
famous Absinthe Bourgeois "Chat Noir" (which in turn was based on Charles Maire's famous still life for
Pernod Fils, with it's bottle, carafe, glass and folded Pontarlier newspaper).
This photograph was likely intended for a never-released publicity carton, and was intended to mimic the
famous Absinthe Bourgeois "Chat Noir" (which in turn was based on Charles Maire's famous still life for
Pernod Fils, with it's bottle, carafe, glass and folded Pontarlier newspaper).
Probably the clearest and most detailed of all
photographs showing the absinthe ritual.
Circa 1910.
Note the beautiful half-empty bottle of Absinthe
Pernod Fils 68%, the two bistrot glasses with
their porcelain saucers, the traditional bistrot
sugar cube holder, the unusual absinthe
spoon on the right hand glass, and the very the
right, three on the left!
Also interesting is the elegant and relaxed grip
on the carafe of the man in the centre - clearly
an experienced absintheur - with his friend at
the left holding up his hand to indicate when
enough water had been added. All three men
are smoking.
Absinthe is not incidental to this photo, it
seems specifically to have been composed to
show the preparation ritual.
Prints of this photograph may be ordered from
our CafePress store.
photographs showing the absinthe ritual.
Circa 1910.
Note the beautiful half-empty bottle of Absinthe
Pernod Fils 68%, the two bistrot glasses with
their porcelain saucers, the traditional bistrot
sugar cube holder, the unusual absinthe
spoon on the right hand glass, and the very the
right, three on the left!
Also interesting is the elegant and relaxed grip
on the carafe of the man in the centre - clearly
an experienced absintheur - with his friend at
the left holding up his hand to indicate when
enough water had been added. All three men
are smoking.
Absinthe is not incidental to this photo, it
seems specifically to have been composed to
show the preparation ritual.
Prints of this photograph may be ordered from
our CafePress store.
The absinthe spoon at right, with it's deep
indentation in the handle doesn't correspond
to any known model.
Prints of this photograph may be ordered
from our CafePress store.