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Press Agency Keystone View Co.
Policemen in Paris 1930s, Silver Gelatin Black and White Photography

circa 1930

$270
£206.14
€236.10
CA$378.27
A$422.95
CHF 221.86
MX$5,122.95
NOK 2,800.49
SEK 2,645.78
DKK 1,762.25

About the Item

A unique original silver gelatin black and white photograph by Press Agency Keystone View Co: Policemen in Paris, circa 1930. French police officers in Paris in front of a subway station waiting for the start of a communist demonstration. In the foreground, we observe a typical Parisian bicycle policeman nicknamed "The Swallow." Features: Original silver gelatin print photography unframed. Press photography. Press agency: KEYSTONE VIEW CO, Paris. Photographer: Anonymous. Title: Policemen in Paris, circa 1930. Provenance: Private collection. Image Size: 4.33 in high (11 cm) x 6.42 in wide (16.3 cm) - Archivally matted in a 17 in x 13 in mat. Ink stamp at the back: "Copyright Keystone View Company, 25 Rue Royale, Paris 8e". A handwritten caption at the back read: "Police gardant la sortie du métro en prévention d'une manifestation communiste". (Police guarding a subway exit in preventing a communist demonstration). We will ship the piece in a mat (17 x 13 in.) that fits a standard-sized frame. Note: "Les Hirondelles," this bicycle patrol then crisscrossed the streets of Paris on official bicycles. They set foot on Parisian soil for the first time in 1901. Their colleagues and locals nicknamed them because of their floating cape resembling the bird. Also, the bikes of these police officers are very aptly called "Swallows." With three brigades per arrondissement, Paris had 2,819 police officers on wheels in 1950. These special police officers were responsible for keeping order and calm at night. They, therefore, straddled their precious "Swallows" to make an act of presence and not to pursue dangerous thugs. Indeed, these local agents were often the oldest because they only had to pedal quietly through the French capital's streets. Unfortunately, they gradually disappeared in the 1980s to make way for motorcycle brigades. "Les Hirondelles" was permanently wiped off the map in 1984. (Credit: Pariszigzag)
  • Creator:
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1930
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.33 in (11 cm)Width: 6.42 in (16.31 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Vintage wear, age-toning.
  • Gallery Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 4E101CEAGBC1stDibs: LU1212214615182

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