This Tahitian vintage postcard features a “Fei Carrier”. What is a fe’i, you may ask? Fe’i are the most popular variety of bananas in French Polynesia. One would imagine the weight of the banana laden pole must be quite heavy. However, the carrier, clad in a loincloth, appears up to the task. This photo was taken by Charles Georges Spitz (1857-1894). I found little information about Spitz except that he was a former sergeant in the Marine infantry and he landed on the island of Tahiti in 1878 on the ship “Le Navarin”. In short time he received his military discharge and he settled in Papeete as a “jeweler-photographer”. His talent as a photographer is well recognized and his photographs are quite valuable. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 