This card shows the heron, but is here because that particular bird, and many others, like the robin, dunnock, blue tit, and blackbird, all lay their eggs in spring. And here we have the eggs and the heron.
If you look at the top of the front, there is a curious pink strip - and this is there for one reason only, to take a name, some of the companies which issued this set reputedly preferring to have their name to the front and not to the rear. I think it may also have been sold to them a cheaper, as several of the cards which do have the name in that place are completely blank to the back, so they would only have paid to add that overprinted to the front, and not paid for another run through the printing machine to add text on the reverse.
The issuers we have found so far are :
- Arlatte & Co., Cambrai (coffee)
- Chocolat Lacroix, Torcoing (Chocolate)
- Tisane Cisbey, Paris (teas and medicaments)
- Hugon Freres et Cie, Paris (Chocolat Debauve & Gallais)
- Publications Alcide Picard, Paris (magazines)
As far as our product, Cisbey was the company name, and possibly the owners. Their laboratory was at 12, Boulevard Saint Martin, in Paris.
They issued quite a few cards, but mostly with just text on the back, ours is much more decorative. They seem to have specialised in medications for "La Constipation" (which means the same in all languages), and for "Maux de Reins et d`Estomac, Migraines, Boutons, Rougeurs, et tous Vices du Sang" (which translates as kidney and stomach pain, migraines, swellings, rashes, and blood disorders). La Tisane Cisbey was a tea, made of plants, and laxatives, stated to be refreshing and good for the blood, as well as, of course, to relieve constipation.
Now I would have thought this set quite distinctive, with the main card split into two sides and the large semi circle which contains the eggs - and yet I can only find one other - so if you have any do let us know, and I can make a list.
- Cygne Blanc, Cygne Noir - Canard Sauvage
- Heron - Outard
- Plongeur Dore ou Pingouin - Cormoran