Old Absinthe House Bourbon Street New Orleans Louisiana 1912 Postcard
$ 3.17
Description
Old Absinthe House Bourbon Street New Orleans Louisiana 1912 Postcard. The Old Absinthe House is one of the oldest structures in New Orleans, dating to the early 19th century. Long before Prohibition, it was renowned as a gathering place for French expatriates, writers, artists, and travelers, particularly those who favored absinthe, the iconic anise-flavored spirit often associated with bohemian culture. Offered here is a historic vintage postcard featuring the Old Absinthe House at the corner of Bourbon Street and Bienville Street in New Orleans, Louisiana , one of the city’s most famous and storied buildings. The Old Absinthe House is one of the oldest structures in New Orleans , dating to the early 19th century. Long before Prohibition, it was renowned as a gathering place for French expatriates, writers, artists, and travelers , particularly those who favored absinthe , the iconic anise-flavored spirit often associated with bohemian culture. As noted in the printed caption on the card, it was a well-known rendezvous for Frenchmen who enjoyed sipping absinthe as an aperitif. Architecturally, the building reflects classic French Quarter Creole design , with its corner placement, shuttered doors, arched openings, and wrought-iron balcony wrapping the upper floor. The image captures the structure during a period when Bourbon Street was transitioning from a residential and mercantile street into the entertainment corridor it would later become. This postcard is postally used and dated October 28, 1912 , with a clear New Orleans postmark and a one-cent United States postage stamp . The handwritten message provides wonderful personal travel correspondence , describing a great time in New Orleans and plans to return home—adding meaningful social history to the card. Absinthe itself was banned in the United States in 1912 , making this postcard especially evocative of the very end of absinthe’s legal era in America. That timing gives this card exceptional historical resonance, linking the image directly to a major cultural shift in American drinking laws. Details: Subject: Old Absinthe House Location: Bourbon Street & Bienville Street, New Orleans, Louisiana Era: Early 20th century Postmark: New Orleans, October 28, 1912 Theme: French Quarter / absinthe / historic bars Publisher: Lighter Specialty Company, New Orleans Message: Handwritten, travel-related correspondence Condition: Honest age wear, corner wear, and surface toning consistent with age; writing and postmark remain legible; please see images for exact condition An outstanding postcard for collectors of New Orleans history , French Quarter landmarks , historic bars and taverns , absinthe memorabilia , or early mailed postcards . The combination of iconic subject, early 1912 postmark, and personal message makes this a particularly desirable and display-worthy piece of Louisiana history.
