Fanciful vintage steampunk vision postcards, created in Paris in 1899, colorfully illustrate a future that never was … with airships, robots, and more! Originally from a series entitled En L'An 2000 (In the Year 2000) depicting the future’s imaginary scientific advances, the original cards were produced for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris, most likely printed for enclosure in cigarette/cigar boxes to promote the World Exhibition.

Little is known about the life and work of commercial artist Jean Marc Cote. He worked as an occasional illustrator for the small French toy company Armand Gervais, which produced the original cards.