Visions of the 21st century in 1899: Skype, aquariums and water skiing predicted in prophetic postcards

These old postcards, created by artists more than a century ago, reveal a selection of uncanny predictions made of life in the 21st century.

The intriguing colour sketches, called En L'An 2000 (In the Year 2000), look strangely familiar despite being produced between 1899 and 1910.

The quirky cards show a host of recognisable scenes including one picture, called Correspondance Cinema-Phono-Telegraphique, which shows a man relaxing in a chair while he makes a video phone call - the same principle as Skype or Facetime.

Another image, entitled A bord d'un Paquebot sous-marin, portrays a couple observing marine life through a giant window, which bears a striking resemblance to the aquariums we have today.

In a different scene, called Un Frotteur electrique, a happy maid watches as an electronically powered broom sweeps the floor in a historic vision of the vacuum cleaner, while another drawing, entitled Les Patins Cloches a Eau, shows a couple water skiing.

Some are a little far-fetched though, including two-storey houses on wheels and motorised roller skates. And the water skis also appear to have mini-engines fitted as standard.

The postcards were originally published in France and distributed inside cigar boxes.

They were created by a variety of artists, including Jean Marc Côté, and were designed to show visions of the world 100 years into the future.

At least 87 different cards were produced with sets being printed in 1899, 1900 and finally in 1910.