Notre Glorieux 75

The first thing I needed to know when I first set eyes on this card was “What does the 75 mean?” It didn’t take long to find out that it was the canon. This canon, first made in 1897, was used from the beginning of the first world war and was legendary for it’s technical excellence. Souvenirs and postcards were made, poems and books were written about this famous canon. In fact it soon became too cumbersome to use in the conditions of battle but it remained a symbol throughout the war. This card was sent at Christmas 1914.

Hermitage

This was in the pile of cards Rob had chosen to be scanned this morning. I really love this one, I imagine hobbits would like to live here. I managed to find a picture online of the inside, but the site of the Ministère de la Culture doesn’t work properly – that figures…

Armistice

An extract from ‘Spring Offensive’ by Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) written in 1918 – never fully revised by Wilfred who was killed one week before the armistice. He is one of my favourite poets.

“Of them who running on that last high place
Breasted the surf of bullets, or went up
On the hot blast and fury of hell’s upsurge,
Or plunged and fell away past this world’s verge,
Some say God caught them even before they fell.”

The terrasses at Monte-Carlo

This is where I’d rather be today. Although it’s sunny here, it’s rather cold and I’d prefer a warmer climate. This card was sent in 1927 from a teacher to a pupil she was obviously fond of who had sent her a letter from Paris. I think the card dates from a lot earlier than 1927 looking at the lovely hats and parasols and the length of the ladies dresses.