Handwritten letter 1939-45 on "La Protectrice" paper, wartime woman's correspondence

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Handwritten letter from the 1939-1945 period, written in blue ink on a sheet with "LA PROTECTRICE" letterhead, visible on the lower half of the page. The item presented is a war correspondence, addressed to a woman, as indicated by the handwritten salutation at the top of the letter. The text occupies almost the entire visible surface, with dense and regular cursive writing. The upper part of the sheet shows a handwritten date in the top right, although the exact day is not entirely legible in the photo. The paper has a cream tone, typical of French administrative papers from the mid-20th century.

The visible side shows the black printed letterhead, "LA PROTECTRICE", an insurance company, with the address of the head office in Paris (rue de Chabrol) and the mention of the Northern regional office in Lille, as well as telephone and legal information. The paper appears flexible, not cardstock, and the central fold indicates a postal mailing or storage in an envelope. The handwritten text covers both the space dedicated to correspondence and the pre-printed part, suggesting an makeshift use of administrative paper for sending news during wartime.

The letter is photographed resting on a wooden desk, in front of a row of old books, which highlights its historical character. No front or back is visible; only the written side and the letterhead are presented. The handwritten text, although partially legible, suggests a personal and intimate tone, typical of family or conjugal correspondence during World War II.

The paper has no decorations, only administrative prints and handwritten text. No distinctive signs of tearing, chipping, or major stains are observable on the visible part, although slight fold marks are apparent. The general condition appears good for a document of this period, with a patina consistent with its presumed age.

The date and content almost certainly suggest wartime correspondence, reinforced by the visual context and the "1939-1945" mention in the keywords. The "LA PROTECTRICE" medium evokes the use of company papers during war restrictions, a common practice to compensate for supply shortages.

Condition

Used letter, sold as is. Patina and traces of use consistent with an authentic handwritten document from the 1939-1945 period. No visible restoration or modification on the presented side.

Did you know? During World War II, it was common to use company or administrative letterheads for private correspondence due to supply shortages. Letters exchanged between families and soldiers today constitute valuable testimonies of daily life and the social context of the time.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping by a professional seller specializing in historical documents and antique stationery.

Keywords: 39-45 correspondence, handwritten war letter, World War II document, La Protectrice paper, antique writing, letter to his wife, WWII letter France, military correspondence, stationery