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Printemps Department Store, Paris
The flagship store of the Printemps chain of shops. Originally situated on the corner of Boulevard Haussemann and Rue du Havre (not very close to central Paris but the land was cheap) it first opened in1865, and over time gradually expanded to fill the whole block. Eventually even this was found constraining and so the architect Paul Binet was commissioned to design the "Nouveaux Magasin" across the road in the Rue Caumartin. The older "Havre" building is the subject of this L'Instant Durable kit. The store was always up to date with current developments in retailing such as browsing with no obligation, prices displayed on goods, an exchange/refund policy and a narrower margin/higher turnover model. It once boasted a magnificent staircase and very large entrance halls, but these have disappeared because of the need for ever more space. Shame.
The kit is in 1/250 scale and has 80 pieces. Base measures 23 x 37 cm. My copy was an early, die-cut version; I believe later editions did away with the die-cutting and became regular cut-out kits, which is probably a good thing. I built it long ago and time had not been kind to it. I was able to repair all the broken bits and clear away (almost) all of the accumulated dust and debris. The varnish used has darkened over the years and is something I couldn't do anything about. Never mind though.
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Give me a pigfoot and a bottle of beer. On Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153077...57692694097642 |
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#2
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Great model, Philip! An impressive building.
Springtime in Paris. Don |
#3
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Truly beautiful. You did it proud
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A fine is a tax when you do wrong. A tax is a fine when you do well. |
#4
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I get such a kick out of the L'Instant Durable productions. Thanks for sharing.
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Rob Tauxe, Atlanta, GA |
#5
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This model has wonderfull atmosphere. Well done.
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#6
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One of my favourite street corners in Paris. Well done preservation to a beautifull old model.
BR Tappi |
#7
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Nice to see you all, and thank you for your kind comments.
Sometimes an old model will be trampled on (I know, I know) to make room for something new, but if I had subjected this one to that kind of treatment I don't think my other half would ever speak to me again. I think it's beautiful too, thanks mainly to Anne-Marie Piaulet's gorgeous artwork. She collaborated on quite a lot of projects for L'Instant Durable, paper models and postcards alike, but the graphics for this model must be among her very best. Just saying.
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Give me a pigfoot and a bottle of beer. On Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153077...57692694097642 |
#8
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You always choose lovely subjects, admirably built.
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
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>-8 Live long and paper \\//_ |
#9
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Splendid Philip !
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Paper models addiction ? See your doctor quickly... or my website => http://maquettes-en-papier.fr/ |
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