Rugby satirical postcards, 1906

"Special Offer" today ! two cards for the price of one !



The more I read about early days of sports in France, the more I realize how rugby ("football-rugby" I should say...) was really top of the mind of all ball sports, far ahead of football ("association" of course...). Here are two rugby postcards despicting the election of President Armand Faillières in 1906.

On the top card, holding the ball is leaving President Emile Loubet (elected in 1899) who is ready to pass the "mandate" to a line up of contendants.

At the time, the President was eleted by the Congress (ie deputies and senators) gathered in Versailles, as you can see the Palace in the background.



I have tried to identify the candidates.... the big fat guy who managed to catch the ball in the scrum is obviously Armand Faillières (then President of the Senate). If you look at the line up, the gentleman at the far right wearing a yellow jersey is Léon Bourgeois. Maybe, the gentleman in blue could be Raymond Poincaré ... Any advice is welcome !




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