Postcards by Xavier Sager
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Xavier Sager – Mysterious postcard painter
In the heyday of picture postcards between 1900 and 1920, millions of different postcards were created, illustrated, printed and sold successfully worldwide. Many of the artists who designed these postcards are largely unknown today – or there is little reliable information about their lives. The case of artist Xavier Sager is particularly fascinating and puzzling at the same time.
His origins and bio: an enigma
There is contradictory information about Xavier Sager’s origins and biography. Some art collectors and experts assume that he was born in Vienna around 1870 and died in the USA around 1930. Others, however, give 1881 as his year of birth and 1969 as his year of death, suggesting that he was born in Lyon, France. According to this second theory, Sager lived in the USA for several years before returning to France. There are also reports that he died in the United States, while other sources indicate a grave in Roquefort-les-Pins in south-eastern France. The artist’s biography thus remains just as mysterious as his extensive oeuvre.
The name Xavier Sager is well known among serious postcard collectors. His postcards are usually signed with his full name, which makes identification easier. Today, it is assumed that Sager produced well over 3,000 different postcards – an impressive number.
Sager is said to have run his own studio in Paris, which at times employed up to eight artists. This also explains the sometimes distinctly different painting styles on the postcards. Apparently the demand for his work was so great that he had to hire additional staff.
Eroticism and humor as a formula for success
Xavier Sager became known above all for his combination of eroticism and humor – a mixture that was extremely popular with his contemporaries. However, not everyone was enthusiastic: French Senator Henry Bérenger, for example, felt that Sager’s revealing drawings went too far and tried to have them banned by law. Paradoxically, when this plan became known, demand for Sager’s postcards increased even further – sales are said to have almost doubled during this time.
Xavier Sager remains a dazzling figure in the history of art and postcards. Despite the many unanswered questions about him, his works have a secure place in the world of collectors and enthusiasts – as humorous, elegant and sometimes provocative testimonies to an era.
Factors determining the value of a postcard by Xavier Sager
Origin
Sager’s postcards were produced by publishers in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the USA.
Age
Most of the postcards date from the period between 1900 and 1930.
Condition
Due to the good supply on the market, only postcards in good condition should be purchased.
Rarity
Xavier Sager’s oeuvre is extremely extensive and the number of copies of the various series is likely to have been quite high, meaning that there is sufficient supply in the postcard trade with no exceptional rarities. The price of certain postcards is determined more by popular or less popular motifs.
Characteristics
There are watercolors, lithographs and oil paintings from the period around 1930 that are occasionally offered in the art trade.
Images
How to sell your postcards with Stade Auktionen
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Frequently asked questions
Find out everything you need to know about selling your postcards.
The value of old postcards can only be accurately determined by an in-depth valuation by our experts. It depends on various aspects, including age, origin, rarity, condition and the artist’s fame. Postcards that originate from historically significant personalities are particularly highly valued.
You are welcome to send us scans of your postcards for an initial assessment. Please note, however, that this alone is not sufficient for a final purchase decision. In order to offer you a precise purchase price, we need to carry out a personal appraisal of your collection. We avoid quoting lump sums without prior inspection, as we do not consider this to be serious. However, you are welcome to let us know your price expectations.
Your postcards should be older than 1945. Whether the postcards are written on or were sent by post is generally irrelevant. It is much more important that the postcards are in a collectible condition. We do not buy badly damaged postcards.
You are very welcome to visit us in our store in Grenzach-Wyhlen, where we can offer you personal advice and examine your collections.
If you are unable to visit us personally, please send us your postcards by post. Please send them by insured parcel post and enclose a cover letter with your asking price, address and telephone number.
Stade Auktionen GmbH & Co. KG
Markgrafenstr. 5
D-79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen
We can also collect legacies or extensive collections from your home.
The following conditions apply for consignments:
- The consignor may only consign postcards, stamps and other documents over which he has sole control.
- Consignments can be made at any time and will be included in the next auction.
- The starting prices are generally determined by the auction house. They are based on the current market situation.
- The auctioneer is entitled to accept underbids up to a maximum of 20% of the starting price.
- If the consignor withdraws the goods for reasons for which the consignor is responsible, an expense allowance of EUR 100 per hour shall be payable for the inspection and valuation of the items to be auctioned, but at least EUR 100 per order.
- The sales commission for the auctioneer is 22% of the hammer price. If the hammer price is up to 500 euros, the sales commission is 30% and the insurance costs are 1% of the hammer price. The statutory value added tax is levied on this. Postage costs for any returns shall be borne by the consignor. We charge a fee of 2.50 euros per lot for processing large lots and 1 euro for individual postcards.
- The auctioneer cannot accept any liability for auctioned goods. He therefore takes out special auction insurance for the account of the customer, which insures the auctioned goods against all risks within the scope of this contract. The sum insured is 1% of the hammer price.
- If the consignor withdraws the goods for reasons for which he is responsible after the auctioneer has already advertised the goods in the catalog or on the Internet, the goods shall be deemed prepared for the auction and the auctioneer shall settle the order with a further expense allowance. This includes the lost commission of 20% of the starting price of the lot. In addition, the processing fee of EUR 25 per lot, up to a maximum of EUR 300, must be reimbursed. Fees for inspections that are necessary, at the auctioneer’s discretion, will be invoiced separately after consultation.
- Billing takes place up to two months after the auction.
- Advances are possible for good consignments.
- The place of jurisdiction for all parties involved is Lörrach.
Please understand that we cannot accept consignments of less than 100 postcards.
When selling an inherited collection of postcards, it is important to preserve their condition in order to achieve high sales proceeds.
Make sure that the postcards remain in their original condition:
- Avoid creases, scribbles and changes to faded writing.
- Do not remove any stamps, as this can reduce the value of the postcard.
- To protect against moisture and dust, the postcards should be cleaned with a dry brush and stored in protective sleeves.
Such measures help to maximize the value and attractiveness of the collection for other collectors.
Sell your postcards with Stade Auktionen
Do you want to sell a collection but don’t know how much your postcards are worth or how to sell them? Send us a message and we will take care of your request as soon as possible.