Handwritten letter 1918 Ministry of Education Paris wartime account

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Authentic handwritten letter dated June 27, 1918, written on official letterhead from the "Ministère de l'Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts" (Ministry of Public Instruction and Fine Arts) in Paris. This document features a classic administrative correspondence format of the time, with discreet typographic printing in the upper left corner mentioning "Contrôle des Dépenses engagées" (Control of Expenses Incurred).

The letter is written in purple ink, in the author's hand, and addressed to his mother. The text begins with "Chère Maman" (Dear Mother), indicating family correspondence in a historical context marked by the end of World War I. The handwriting is cursive, fluid, typical of the early 20th century.

The official letterhead, the handwritten date, and the personal tone give this document value as a historical testament. The paper shows a slight patina, with small signs of use visible in the lower right, typical of paper archives from this period. No additional decoration or ornamentation is visible on the shown side.

The handwritten text, which is clearly legible, discusses personal feelings and family matters, with a mention of a departure in December, adding an emotional and historical dimension to the piece. The signature, although partially legible, appears to be "François (?)" or a similar first name, followed by a surname that is difficult to decipher.

This document stands out due to the presence of the ministerial letterhead and its precise dating, placing the letter squarely in the context of 1918 Paris. The ensemble presents a beautiful visual homogeneity, with a slightly dog-eared sheet in the lower left corner, with no apparent tears.

Condition

Used letter sold as is. Traces of handling, period patina, discreet marks in the corners. Ink well preserved, text legible across the entire visible surface.

Did you know? Handwritten correspondence during World War I was an essential link between families and those mobilized or displaced. Ministerial letterheads were frequently used for official or private exchanges, bearing witness to daily life and the administrative context of the time.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: 1918 handwritten letter, war correspondence, historical document Paris, ministry letterhead, historical testimony, family letter, cursive writing, handwritten document, old French letter, French handwritten letter, Paris 1918 letter, handwritten testimony World War I