Friday, March 4, 2011

Mardi Gras

The big Rex Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans is March 8.
I went looking for Mardi Gras postcards and found these on the digital collection
at the New York Public Library.

They are both from 1907 and made by the Detroit Publishing Company.




"Rex passing up Camp Street"


"The Royal Chariot with Rex"

"'We is come' ~ Hope to see you soon."  The "B's"

The Mardi Gras Rex parade in New Orleans held on Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday referrs to the practice of the last night of eating fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which starts on Ash Wednesday.

Since the founding of the Rex Organization in 1872 its traditions have helped define Mardi Gras. Rex's Proclamation invites his subjects to the grand celebration of Carnival. His royal colors of purple, green and gold are to this day the colors of Mardi Gras, and the song played in the first Rex parade, "If Ever I Cease to Love," has become Carnival's anthem. Rex and his Queen preside over the Rex Ball, Carnival's glittering conclusion.

You can read more about the Rex Organization in New Orleans here.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.
I'm also joining Seasonal Sunday at the Tablescaper!

Wishing you well and a JOY filled weekend.
(Mine will be filled with college baseball!)



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19 comments:

  1. PondsideMarch 4, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    I spent my teen years wrapped in stories by Frances Parkinson Keys, all of which seemed to be set in Lousiana. We spent one Easter in New Orleans, but I'd love to see it at Mardi Gras.

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  2. Pat - ArkansasMarch 4, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Mardi Gras has changed a bit over the years, hasn't it? Thanks for sharing these interesting post cards. xo

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  3. ~*~ saskia ~*~March 4, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    I love the look of these beautiful postcards!

    Have a hApPy weekend x

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  4. TeteMarch 4, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Fun postcards.
    Tete

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  5. BarbMarch 4, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Hi Snap, I'm trying to think of all the tasty foods I might eat on Fat Tuesday! Have a lovely baseball-filled weekend.

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  6. JoyMarch 4, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    I love the carriage and the themed colour. At first, in the second card, I thought the carriage was huge, until I realised that the tiny people were in actuality standing on the other side of the road.

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  7. viridianMarch 4, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    I would have liked to be there in those - it looks more innocent.

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  8. Sheila @ A Postcard a DayMarch 5, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    This is all completely new to me, so thank you for teaching me. I'd heard of Mardi Gras but not of Rex.

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  9. FunoldhagMarch 5, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    I've never been to Mardi Gras but the scenes on the cards (which are really great) look much calmer than what I've seen on tv in this day and age.

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  10. DorincardMarch 5, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Show for the masses. Nice! :)

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  11. KathleenMarch 6, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Lovely cards. I don't look forward to Lent, meatless Fridays. I am not fond of fish!
    Thanks for visiting! Here from Seasonal Sundays.

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  12. Denise MarieMarch 6, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Your parade pics are a lil fancier than mine. lol

    Have a great college baseball season.

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  13. ScribblerMarch 6, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Thanks so much for stopping my blog. I really enjoyed your postcards from MG. I lived in NOLA for a short time as a young adult, a time I will never forget.

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  14. TracyMarch 6, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    What neat cards you shared. I love Mardi Gras and it is my hope to go one day and join in the festivities!
    :)

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  15. La Vie QuotidienneMarch 6, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Hi,

    Thank you so much for visiting me and leaving such a nice comment.

    I just love these old images, they are so much fun to look at...so atmospheric. They conjure up all sorts of thoughts.

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  16. RosaMarch 6, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I'm missing all the mardi gras parades at Riverside! Whaaaaaaa. Love the old postcards. Hugs.

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  17. The TablescaperMarch 6, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Such amazing photos! Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. MarlisMarch 7, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Thanks for sharing... Love the way Mardi Gras/Fasching/Karneval started out in Europe and then came over here! Thanks for dropping in with your kind comments.

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  19. Icy BCMarch 8, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I live in N.O. for about 5 years, and sure missed this time of the year!

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