Old-fashioned fans are today mostly appreciated for the craftsmanship and delicacy with which they were produced. But in former times they had their own special function in the hands of women in certain ranks of society. Not just useful articles, they were powerful transmitters of messages in their own unique code. With deft movements of their fans corresponding to this code, women were able to signal their thoughts and their intentions to their admirers without the necessity of a single word s being spoken. Philippe Mesmer endeavors anew to decipher the language of the fan, a mode of communication unhappily no longer in use. Over 100 beautiful full-color illustrations.

Fan Tales

Philippe Mesmer

Parkstone Press

This book is for all cigar aesthetes, the smoker passionately fond of ""puros"" as the Cubans call them with infinite respect. During the 19th century when gentlemen wore white gloves at society gatherings, tobacco often left dirty stains on their fingers because of the tobacco leaves which covered their cigars. Therefore, they asked their suppliers to surround them with a paper band for protection. Those bands became the armorial signet ring that identified a man. Recognition of a social status, commemorative symbol or, more simply, a mark of quality, the cigar band developed its own codification. Brilliant artists have lent their talent to create them.The collection represented is exceptional. These cigar bands tell us part of the story of the last 150 years, from the general of the Civil War, the Presidents of the United States of America, the Emperors of Germany to the delicate flowers reproduced by craftsmen.

The Art of Cigar Bands Roger van Reeth Collection

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

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Books by Philippe Mesmer

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Philippe Mesmer. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Fan Tales

The Art of Cigar Bands Roger van Reeth Collection