Handwritten letter 1918 correspondence war violet ink old paper

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Handwritten letter dated April 21, 1918, written in violet ink on cream paper, visible in the flat-open photo. The text mainly occupies the left page, with the right page remaining blank except for a final sentence and a handwritten signature. The dense, regular cursive script indicates an intimate correspondence, probably familial, in a war context. The letter begins with "Ma chère fille" (My dear daughter), suggesting an exchange between a mother and her daughter during the First World War.

The paper shows a marked patina, typical of early 20th-century documents, with pronounced folds, some brown stains, and small tears visible on the edges, particularly at the top left and on the left margin. The violet ink, still clearly legible, contrasts with the cream tone of the paper. The density of the handwritten text is high, with each line carefully drawn without excessive margins, characteristic of letters from this era when paper was precious.

The letter is placed on a bookshelf background filled with antique books of various bindings, enhancing the overall historical atmosphere. No decorative elements are visible other than the handwritten text and the period layout. The calligraphy, neat and slightly slanted, indicates a careful education, typical of the writing style taught in the early 20th century.

The right side of the document shows two small circular stains, with no text other than the handwritten phrase "Je vous embrasse bien tendrement" (I embrace you very tenderly) followed by a signature, which is difficult to read in the photo. No watermark, number, or publisher's mark is visible on the exposed side. The letter has no illustrations or particular ornamentation.

This type of document, a handwritten war letter, is a valuable source for studying family correspondence during times of conflict. The visual appearance of the paper, the ink color, and the writing style correspond to common practices in France during the First World War.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The paper shows signs of wear, marked folds, small tears, and some stains visible on the photographed side. The ink remains generally legible. See photo for more details on the condition.

Did you know? Handwritten letters exchanged during the First World War were often written on recycled or varying quality paper, due to shortages of supplies. Violet ink was frequently used at that time in France, as it was more accessible and light-resistant than other common inks.

AFW Reassurance

Fast shipping and careful packaging. Professional seller specializing in historical documents and antique papers.

Keywords: antique letter, 1918 correspondence, war manuscript, cursive writing, 14-18 family letter, violet ink, paper document, mother-daughter letter, intimate letter, French WW1 letter, First World War correspondence, historical handwritten letter