Comic Year (L'Année Comique) by Albert Robida was published as an almanac in 1879 for 1880. It doesn't have any useful astronomical or statistical data like we expect in a typical almanac, but it reflects a specific time, which makes it an interesting document for everybody who is willing to study the past to understand the present and predict the future.
Illustrations by Albert Robida are a special treat. He also wrote all the text, which is translated to give you a better feeling of the project. As you will see, some things never change. Or, at least in a century and a half...
At the Circus
I sent her bouquets, she paid no attention;
I wrote to her, but she did not answer me;
and should I suffer her rigors any longer?
Come on! O angel, squire of my soul, just one word
Wedding, Divorce, and Festival Halls
Ladies and gentlemen, before we part, I want to take advantage of the sweet ceremony that brings us together to collect signatures at the bottom of this petition, tending to obtain the reestablishment of divorce from our legislators. I will begin with my young and tender wife, with Madame the bride... O Isabelle! Would you like to give your initials to the petition for divorce!... Simple precaution... my child...
Yes, my friend, only let it be said clearly that one will be able to divorce at least once every two years!
Strong Reaction against Naturalism
Lucy, beloved woman, your lantern seems the torch of love to my poor, distraught heart!... Will you finally allow me to offer you a light blackcurrant?
Rene, naughty child, you tempt me! Yet you know very well that I do not consume before passing in front of the mayor.
Intimacy
Madam, these daily discussions have killed all ideals and all poetry in you... Be careful, I will indulge in outward excesses!
Summer Fun
I'll bet you another nickel that this one has pink stockings.
Coasts of Normandy
Bathers, take Madame back to the hotel!... I did well to come, Madame... Oh, my! How can you disturb the souls of these innocent sailors, to bathe in such an inappropriate costume... From now on you will only wear it on Sundays!
Everybody's Joy
Ai mousseux? Cliquot? Roederer? (*)
Not yet, waiter! I've been making him drink tea for two hours; make us some more, we'll see later!
(* Champagne brands)
Queen of the Beach
Oh, so my husband can't come with his journalist to describe my bathing suit?
The Cellular Campaigne
You are very kind to have come to see us in our country... I must find you some distractions between lunch and dinner... I will show you the pump and give you some watering cans for when you have finished watching the goldfish!
Vacation
Here's a good one! Gustave is offering me a six-month honeymoon to spend in the countryside, and it's in the same chalet as last year with Charles!
Wonders of Science
Coralie, I adore you!
Come on, you heard: "O Coralie, I adore you!" It's my wife who makes her phonograph talk... she's crazy about phonographs! I had to buy her one, and for three months she's been locking herself away to make her repeat this joke... The funniest thing is that to complete the farce, she managed to imitate the voice of one of my good friends!
In the Living Room
Sir is an art critic? Nice to meet you! This portrait is of my wife. Would you believe it, sir, someone dared to criticize the model. You would be very kind to say that it is entirely the painter's fault and to slip into your article that our model is irreproachable.
The Terrible Wives
He, he, he... it's not my fault... It's mom's bottle of hair dye that broke on me...
Will you shut up, you poor thing!... what a horror!... don't believe it, ladies. Let's see, come here... it's not dye, it's water against a horrible skin disease of my husband!!!
Frightening Progress of Naturalism
Oh! My dear... I am still sick of it!... these young people are terrible: Imagine, yesterday, while waltzing, Gaston said to me in a furious tone: "You know, to the angel of my dreams, platonic love is very troubadour, it is very worn out; we are in an era of excessive naturalism and... I am a naturalist!" I cried out and fainted... horror! I thought he wanted to have me stuffed.
Remote War
Heavens! Edgard, what are you doing?
Fear nothing! These poster men are mine, I rented them by the hour to melt our meetings away from prying eyes!
The Dramas of Love
You see full costume inconsolable... You don't know what's happening to me... They're both getting married. So I'm going to tell them right away: Stanislas, you're a scumbag! Henri, you're breaking my heart!!!
The Dramas of Love (*)
What a coincidence! Two old friends, loved in the same street, same number, same floor, by the same woman!...
Blonde... By the same blonde woman! Another coincidence!!
O, my friend! She said to me to calm me down, because I am jealous as a tiger of my friend, I swear to you that I sent my imbecile packing!
It's like me: O, my friend! She said to me in her soft voice, my idiot is in the country!
And we didn't recognize each other!
(* Yes, this is another drama.)
The Height of Discretion
I, sir, never gossip about my tenants; so, there is only one lady in the house who does not cheat on her husband... well, I will not tell you which one.
Manual of the Perfect Gabbler
Dear sir, you who know everyone, tell me the name of this little lady who has just cooed her song to us like a simple slipper?
You cannot address yourself better, she is my wife!
Aspiration
I love you! cried Octave in a vibrant voice. Flower, perfume my spring! Star, sparkle on my head.
Angel, come and live in my sky...
Ahl!... the one who would speak to me like that, I feel. But there you go, there aren't any.
Fatale Error
Heavens! I have been washing myself with the water for the care of furs for fifteen days. I am going to grow a beard.
The Dramas of Love(*)
You are a monster!!! Today is Saint Agnes, your wife's feast day, I am sure that you have given her some more presents, and you bring me nothing... and you call that delicacy!
(* Yes, you read it right, this is the third drama of love in this almanac. It's French, after all.)
Midnight Pass
Nightly noise! Nightly noise! Come on, Sergeant, can't you see that these are the pains I'm trying to stun!
Albert Robida was not just an extremely prolific illustrator and writer, deeply interested in the foreseeable changes in a future society, often called 'the father of Science Fiction'. Like most French illustrators, he couldn't avoid the spell of Perrault's Fairy Tales, as well.
So here are two links that may be of interest to you:
and
If you like this post, please, share it with your friends and followers. Thank you very much!
