If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 785

 

 

 

 

 

60, Rennes, France, Vielle Maison, rue Vasselot (Old House on Vasselot street), ca 1918-1920

 

This is another unused French souvenir postcard from between 1917 and 1920.  The card has a divided back and the typical greenish color often found on cards of this era.  The “P ND and hot.” logo at the lower right on the front and the printer/publisher’s name on the left side margin on the reverse “Aciens Etab. Neudein et cie – imp. Crété Sicc/ Corbeil-Paris.  English:  Formerly Neurdein & Co. – Crété Printing Works, Corbeil-Paris,” help date the card from 1917-18 when the Neurdein photography-postcard company changed ownership, and the 1920s when the new owners retained part of the same name and continued to use Neurdein photographs on the cards.  The number 60 found at the lower left on the front of the card is another indicator that this card was printed and distributed just before or around the 1920s.  There are three individuals in the photo that provide some indication of the size of the building. 

 

The city of Rennes is located in Northwestern France.  More than two thousand years ago it was a small Gallican village named Condate.  Rennes, Nantes, and Vannes were major cities in the ancient Duchy of Brittany.  From the early 1500s until the French Revolution Rennes in 1789 Rennes was an administrative, parliamentary, and garrison city.  In 1720 a fire destroyed the medieval wooden center of the city.  It was partially rebuilt in stone.  The building pictured on the card is one of the few remaining old wooden structures found in the south city center which also has buildings from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. 

 

Automobile manufacturing, telecommunications, the digital sector and agrifood are the main sources of the economy.  Rennes is also known as one of the most festive cities in France.  Arts and culture play important parts and a number of festivals are held there.  It was one of the first cities in France to own its own television channel (1987).  The city has two main universities and has a student population of about 60,000.  An American study abroad program for high school students is held in Rennes.  Students are immersed in French culture and language during a nine month stay. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikiedia.org/wiki/Rennes