Expensive Wardrobes
January 7th, 2010
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The “roaring” Twenties didn’t start very cheerfully in France (where our heroes live, when they’re not vacationing on disputed territory at the Adriatic Sea). Everything was scarce after the devastating war, and prices were on the rise. For Lou and Mayann, this is not a problem – the US dollar is strong, and the bulk of their Paris audience consists of North and South American tourists, war profiteers and “goulash barons”.
But for Falco… Even before the war, a decent cassock would cost 65 Fr., and his meager scholarship has certainly not been updated to catch up with the rising costs of living. No wonder he needs a part-time job or two. (Those kid gloves and that silk cincture… not exactly standard equipment for a simple deacon!)
Observe, too, how expensive the ladies’ shoes are in comparison. The worth of their undergarments must remain a mystery, but I would guess that Mayann wears the skimpiest and most expensive ones…
Inspired by this front page of Le Petit Journal, July 4th, 1920.
Poor Falco … Do you know how much the Franc of 1920 was worth?
The New York Times ran some articles on the subject in January, 1920. I wonder if any general newspaper would bother to publish this type of detailed information today?
FALL OF FRANC CAUSES DEPRESSION IN FRANCE
Exchange Rate Is at the Lowest Point in the History of the Country.
PARIS, Jan. 28. – Never in the history of France, even after the Franco-Prussian War and in the days of the Commune, has the franc reached such a low mark of depreciation. Dollars were quoted today at 13.405 and the pound sterling at 47.205. …
“We are sliding down the scale on which the German mark and the Austrian crown occupy the lowest degrees, the Russian ruble being reckoned as zero,” says the Echo de Paris. …
FRENCH POOR FEEL PINCH OF NEW TAXES
Cost of Some Necessities Is 300 Per Cent Above That of 1914.
DOUBLED IN THE LAST YEAR
Demand That Rich Bear a Larger Proportion of the Burden Expected in the Chamber.
PARIS, Jan. 2. – … Millionaires pay relatively much smaller taxes in France than in America, and the new rise in the price of public service and of bread, sugar, and clothes naturally affects the poor and the middle classes much more than their more fortunate brethren.
… Paris is in the throes of a money-spending debauch perhaps unequalled in her history. Nouveaux riches on all sides give “loud” evidence of their wealth, while it is becoming increasingly difficult for workmen to make both ends meet.
Figures of the prices prevailing show that the cost of living has risen from 250 to 300 per cent. over what it was in 1914 …
And a list of what you would get with your francs in 1920 (prices of 1914 in brackets).
Railroad trip, 100km, first class: (11.20) 24.25
- second class: (7.55) 16.35
-third class: (4.93) 10.80
Telegram, 10 words: ( 50c) 1f
Electricity, 100w/h: (5c) 10c
Gas, 1m^4: (20c) 60c
Bread, 1 kilo: (35c) 90c
Sugar, 1 kilo: (63c) 3.20
Potatoes, 1 kilo: (15c) 75c
Milk, 1 litre: (40c) 95c
One egg: (15c) 80c
Chocolate, 1 kilo: (3f) 6f
Coffee, 1 kilo: (4f) 11f
Butter, 1 pound: (1.90) 8.80
Rice, 1 pound: (60c) 1.70
Cotton stockings: (2.75) 16f
Silk stockings: (6f) 30f
I’m still looking for figures on how much workers and tradesmen earned during this time.
Thanks, that’s really interesting …
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Hmm, potatoes were quite affordable compared to other food.
I think I just found one or two fun plots for short stories in these articles! Strikes, demonstrations, Montmartre seceding from France in protest against curfews for cafés and electing its own government… Facts beat fiction again!
Whee!