La Collectionneuse: a memorable retirement reception

On the 30th of April, a reception was held at my office to celebrate my retirement. On this occasion, the President made a personalised speech, which I enjoyed very much. It was a quality text, cleverly and wittily written. As he had learned that I've been collecting vintage postcards of film actresses for a long time, he notably included references to the Golden Age of Hollywood. He took the time to research it, and I really appreciated it. He astutely stressed the fact that, through my pastime, I was helping to bring back to life the distinctive aesthetic of a bygone era. I hope he enjoyed writing his text as much as I was delighted to hear it.

This gave me the idea to select from my collection a few postcards of actresses he mentioned in his fine and one-of-a-kind speech.


Gloria Swanson. Swedish postcard by Ljunggrens Konstförlag, Stockholm, no. 132.


Greta Garbo. Italian postcard by G.B. Falci Editore, Milano, no. 800. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.


Mae West in I’m No Angel (Wesley Ruggles, 1933). Dutch postcard by M. Bonnist & Zonen, Amsterdam, no. B315. Photo: Paramount.


Jean Harlow. German postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 7241/1, 1932-1933. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Collection: Marlene Pilaete.


Marlene Dietrich. Italian postcard by Ballerini & Fratini, Firenze, no. 2982.


Joan Crawford. Italian postcard by Fotocelere, no. 33. Photo: M.G.M.

Text and postcards: Marlene Pilaete.