French Friday: M. Sasek's Paris
In case I've never officially declared it: I have some really ridiculously generous friends. Case in point: a friend from high school who recently contacted me via Facebook to let me know that she was heading to Paris and wondered if I'd like her to pick up anything for me. Now, my initial reaction was something Pavlovian in nature as visions of Nutella-noix de cocoa crêpes and éclaires au chocolat flittered through my head. But then I figured that chocolate pastries probably wouldn't play nicely when confined to a suitcase, and that, you know, my friend probably was thinking more along the lines of non-perishable items. So, my next thought was: the French version of Miroslav Sasek's Paris book, which was initially published in 1959 but has since been reissued since 2004. You can find English versions of his This is... series of destination travel books at many awesome bookstores throughout the U.S., but foreign language versions are sneaky little bastards that like to hide... primarily in foreign countries.
And Christie (my traveling friend) apparently doubles as a master sleuth, because she eventually managed to track down a copy at one of the stores in the shops of the Carousel du Louvre. Not only that, but she packaged it up all pretty-like for me with owls (not real, FYI) and buttons and cool papers. Feast your peepers on my bounty 'o French greatness:
The This is M. Sasek website also features postcard images of various Parisian destinations within the Paris book:
A look inside the book (please excuse the dark quality of these shots! It was dark and gloomy outside... stupid weather):
Along with M. Sasek and other papery goodies from Christie, I also received an envelope yesterday from an Etsy seller who was kind enough to organize a custom listing for me containing a wonderful collection of 30 unused vintage Paris postcards. I will soon be turning those bad-boys into my graduation announcements, which I may or may not display here in the coming weeks (it depends on how they turn out!)... But I love how she packaged them for me! I always appreciate some quality packaging... :)
Joyeux French Friday, et bon weekend!
Apr 22, 2011 at 9:01 AM | in Books, Design, French, Stationery & Cards, Vintage | 5 Comments | Share Article 
Reader Comments (5)
J'adore! Bon weekend a toi aussi!
OH. EM. GEE. I'm verde with envy! I have the english series (saving them for our kids), but I would die over the french version! You are a lucky lady!
really fan of Mister Sasek we are, me and my shop♥♥♥♥
the réedition by Casterman is really good, close to the original!
i've got twice in Minibus, original books and new edition♥
your page and blog is very great xxx
♥ lore of Minibus
Thanks to all for commenting, and I'm so glad you enjoy Miroslav Sasek and his wonderful books!
@Minibus: Je suis impatiente de retourner à Paris et de visiter votre petit bazaar vintage!!!
wow thank you so much for sharing, I love the images of various Parisian destinations within the Paris book, my father who works in Generic Viagra company. told me about this book, and he says it is an excellent book....