Old handwritten letter 1938 pre-WW2 to Genevieve, English and French handwriting

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Old handwritten letter dated October 8, 1938, written on a lined sheet of paper. The writing, in black ink, alternates between French and English, which is characteristic of international epistolary exchanges during the interwar period. The header mentions the address "19 Stafford St. Swindon, Wilts, Eng.", indicating that it was written in England.

The letter begins with the salutation "Ma chère Geneviève" and recounts family events: the arrival of an aunt and cousin, mention of a saxophone, a gold ring set with an amethyst, and a storm that damaged flowers. The visible lower part of the sheet also contains a sentence in English, a sign of a bilingual exchange, probably between two French-English families.

The paper has a clean cut at the top, straight edges, and two visible perforations on the left side, typical of sheets meant for binders or notebooks. The overall condition of the paper appears good, with no tears or major stains visible on the exposed side, apart from some pronounced creases due to the original folding.

The handwritten calligraphy is neat, regular, and shows a school writing style from the late 1930s. The ink appears a deep black, with no major discoloration or smudging on the visible part. The text, both descriptive and personal, offers a vivid testimony of daily life just before World War II.

The photo's environment, with an old library background and a visible dial clock, enhances the object's historical context, without being an integral part of the sale.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Shows original creases and slight signs of wear consistent with its age. The writing remains perfectly legible on the visible side.

Did you know? Handwritten correspondence from the 1930s constitutes important sources for historians today. They provide a better understanding of daily life, family relationships, and the concerns of the time, especially on the eve of World War II when numerous bilingual exchanges bore witness to the ties between France and England.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping ensured by a professional seller specializing in antique paper and historical documents.

Keywords: old letter, 1938 correspondence, bilingual manuscript, vintage paper, old handwriting, pre-WW2 letter, historical document, letter 1930s, old handwriting, letter to Geneviève, English French writing, testimony of wartime era