Antique 1870 French Fashion Plate, Train Station Scene, Hand Colored Engraving, Journal des Dames Edition Belge, Framed Victorian Art

🚂 ANTIQUE 1870 FRENCH FASHION PLATE — TRAIN STATION SCENE
Hand-Colored Steel Engraving | Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles, Edition Belge
Plate 963B | Published June 1870 (printed "N° 2 Juin 1870")

A beautifully preserved 155-year-old fashion plate from the celebrated
Parisian-Brussels journal Le Journal des Dames et des Demoiselles,
captured at one of the most evocative moments in 19th-century European
life: a lady in blue travel costume standing on a railway platform
beside a steaming locomotive, while her companion in an elaborate
pink-and-burgundy bustle dress admires papers at the ticket counter.
A small spaniel waits at her mistress's feet.

This plate is dated "Juin 1870" — published just one month before the
outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in July 1870, making it a quiet
visual document of la Belle Époque's final peaceful summer.

🖼️ MATCHING SET AVAILABLE
This print is one of FIVE antique Le Journal des Dames fashion plates
currently in our shop, all in identical period frames. Perfect for
creating a coordinated Victorian gallery wall. Visit our shop to view
the full collection and qualify for multi-piece discounts (10% off 2,
15% off 3, 20% off 4 or more).

📜 DETAILS
- Plate Number: 963B
- Publication Date: June 1870 (printed on plate)
- Publisher: Ad. Goubaud et fils, Paris
- Printer: Lariviere imp. r. du Sabot 3, Paris
- Edition: Belge (Brussels edition for Belgian and French-speaking
European distribution)
- Technique: Steel engraving with hand-applied watercolor
- Subjects: Two ladies — one in blue Princess-line travel costume with
bustle, the other in pink-and-burgundy ruffled visiting dress with
veiled bonnet. Steam locomotive and railway platform in background.
Small spaniel at left.

🔍 PLATE NUMBER DECODED
The "963B" identifies this as the 963rd plate in the journal's
continuous numbering system, with the "B" suffix indicating the
Edition Belge — the Brussels-distributed version of this Paris-
published fashion journal.

🏛️ HISTORICAL CONTEXT — THE TRAIN STATION
The locomotive depicted reflects the explosion of European rail travel
in the 1860s-70s. By 1870, Belgium had one of the densest rail networks
in the world, and fashion plates increasingly featured "costumes de
voyage" (travel costumes) as elite women began traveling independently.
The ladies' coordinated outfits show the new social practice of
dressing specifically for train travel.

📐 DIMENSIONS
- Frame (outer): 16" × 12.2" (40.6 × 31 cm)
- Print sheet: approximately 11.5" × 9" (visible within mat)
- Image area: approximately 8" × 6.5"
- Frame depth: approximately 0.75"
- Total weight: 1 lb 15.9 oz

✨ CONDITION
Excellent for its 155 years of age. Hand-applied watercolor remains
vibrant — note the rich blues of the travel dress and the delicate
burgundy stripes. Minor age toning to paper margins consistent with
period (this is normal and adds character). Dark wood frame with
subtle gilt inner accent — a period-appropriate framing style that
beautifully complements the 19th-century French aesthetic. Frame
backing shows age with original tape reinforcement visible on reverse
(see photo) but is structurally sound. Glass intact. Brass triangle
hanger on top. Ready to hang.

📦 SHIPPING
Carefully packaged with corner protectors, glass-safe wrapping, and
double-boxed for safe transit. Ships from Washington State, USA.
Tracking and insurance included.

💎 ABOUT LE JOURNAL DES DAMES ET DES DEMOISELLES
Founded in 1841 and published until the early 20th century, this was
one of the most influential French fashion journals of the Victorian
era. The Edition Belge was distributed throughout Belgium and French-
speaking Europe from Brussels (Rue Blaes 33). Original hand-colored
plates from this journal are now sought by costume historians, museum
curators, fashion designers, and Victorian/Steampunk decorators.

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🛍️ Browse the full Le Journal des Dames collection in our shop:www.swcurated.com

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