Handwritten letter 1909 St Didier-en-Velay black ink squared paper

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Handwritten letter dated January 8, 1909, written in black ink on a sheet of small-square graph paper. The document is displayed upright on a dark wooden desk, in front of an old bookcase filled with bound books. The rectangular paper has a cream tint, slightly patinated by time. The fine and regular cursive handwriting fills almost the entire visible page, with a friendly address at the beginning of the text ("Mon cher ami" - My dear friend) and several lines written in common French of the period.

The top of the letter clearly indicates the handwritten date "8 janvier 1909" (January 8, 1909), followed by content that is both personal and administrative, evoking friendly exchanges, travels, and procedures. The lines are carefully traced, and the text is generally legible, although some parts are partially obscured by the tilt of the sheet in the photo.

The medium used is graph paper, typical of early 20th-century correspondence, with no printed letterhead or illustration. No watermark or stationery mark is visible on the exposed side. The black ink, with a slightly matte appearance, shows no apparent smudges; the calligraphy expresses careful practice of old handwritten script.

The letter is placed vertically, highlighting the texture of the paper and the neatness of the lines. A few horizontal folds and a very slight mark of wear are visible in the lower part, common signs of storage or folding of this type of document. No postmark, stamp, or envelope is visible in this view.

Overall, it evokes a typical administrative or personal document of early 20th-century correspondence, with informal and organizational content, related to St Didier-en-Velay, as indicated by the keywords provided.

Condition

Used item sold as is. Paper shows period patina, some visible folds, and a slight mark on the lower part. The black ink remains clearly legible on the photographed side. No major stains or tears visible in the image.

Did you know? The commune of Saint-Didier-en-Velay, located in Haute-Loire, was long a center for administrative and commercial exchanges in the Auvergne region. Handwritten correspondence on graph paper was common in France in the early 20th century, particularly in exchanges between notables, merchants, or families for personal and administrative matters.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping ensured by a professional. Each document is handled with care to guarantee its preservation during transport.

Keywords: lettre ancienne, correspondance manuscrite, papier quadrillé, encre noire, écriture ancienne, document administratif, 1909, début XXe siècle, St Didier-en-Velay, old letter, French handwriting, lettre papier, courrier manuscrit