Historical information

Levy Sons & Co. 1895-1919
Paris, France and London, England

In 1864 the Parisian photographic studio of Ferrier pere*, fils & Soulier was bought out and became M. Leon & J. Levy. This partnership lasted until 1872 when Leon left and it was renamed J. Levy & Co., which became an important producer of stereo-views and lantern slides. By 1895 his sons had joined the company and it was renamed once again to Levy Sons & Co. (or Levy et ses Fils). His son Lucien became a well known photographer who began publishing international view-cards from his own work depicting scenes mostly from within the French empire, though quite a number are from England and there are some from Australia and Russia as well. There are few French towns that are not captured by his cards. His name does not appear on the cards but - L.L. follows the title as a photo credit. Many of their cards are not attributed. These cards were printed as colotypes in black & white, sepia, and over speckled color lithography. In 1920 the studio united with Neurdein Freres to become Levy & Neurdein reunis. Their negatives are now owned by the Roger-Viollet Photographic Agency.

*Claude Marie Ferrier (1811-1889) was also an important early photographer. He was the 'Pere' in Ferrier Pere, Fils & Soulier - best remembered for their stunning series of glass views.

Sorting this collection is a challenge.
The postcard rears display a variety of forms -
a) garland emblem with LL inside,
b) with an addition emblem within (FPS?).
Or c) - no emblem which may mean production by another company - however LL. remains on the front as a credit to the photographer.

http://www.metropostcard.com/picslogos/pcl-levylucien.jpg.jpg

http://www.unpi.com/clem/unpostcards/LON1919PC2Naback.jpg

Example Colour Card circa 1920

No. 78 Paris - L'Escalier de l'Opera - LL.
http://www.postcardcollector.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/1306/levy-fils-cie-paris-specifically-lucien-levy-ll

Significance

Abbeyville was a town in the Somme, so that this is a possible reason that the name has been erased on the postcard. http://www.france-voyage.com/travel-photos/abbeville-11435.htm

Physical description

Small brown covered book of 12 postcards with views of Abbeyville in the Somme. Issue between each each individual postcard. The cover has an oval on front and the name "Abbeyville" in its centre has been erased. The name of the town has also been erased (censored) throughout the booklet. There is a garland in maroon around the maroon oval on the front cover. Print in dark grey on bottom left and right hand side corners.

Inscriptions & markings

Print "Modele ... Depose" in dark grey on bottom left and "12 Vues Detachables" on right hand side corners. Names of places printed inside but the name of the town has been erased throughout.
"Carte Postale" with logo underneath at centre and "Correspondence" LHS and "Adresse" RHS on top of verso of each postcard in booklet. "Levy Fils & Co, Paris sideways along centre line of postcard on verso.