Old hygiene booklet, Posts Telegraphs 1912, vintage administrative document

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This antique booklet, titled "INSTRUCTION SUR L'HYGIÈNE À L'USAGE DU PERSONNEL DES POSTES ET DES TÉLÉGRAPHES" (Instruction on Hygiene for the Use of Postal and Telegraph Personnel), dates from 1912. It is a period administrative document, intended for postal and telegraph service agents in France. The booklet adopts a horizontal rectangular format, typical of institutional publications from the early 20th century, and features a flexible beige to off-white cover with sober and official black typographic printing.

The title page includes the following information: "Instruction sur l'hygiène à l'usage du personnel des Postes et des Télégraphes. 1912." as well as a printed reference in the upper left ("No 2092. ? Septembre 1912. (250,000 ex. ? Card 85.)"), which attests to a large print run, characteristic of documents widely distributed within the state administration. A handwritten signature is visible in the upper right of the booklet, likely that of a former owner or an agent who received this copy.

The booklet has a patinated appearance, with some foxing and age-related marks, particularly visible on the cover. The corners are slightly blunted, indicating regular handling, without however affecting the legibility of the text. The precise dimensions are not indicated, but the format appears close to a landscape A5, quite common for this type of internal brochure.

This document constitutes a remarkable testimony to health concerns and hygiene guidelines within French public administrations on the eve of the First World War. It illustrates the official practices and recommendations transmitted to Post and Telegraph personnel, at a time when public health was beginning to play an increasing role in work organization.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The cover has small stains, an age patina and traces of handling, but remains overall in good structural condition for a document from 1912. The inscriptions are perfectly legible, and the overall solidity is preserved.

Did you know? In 1912, France had over 60,000 agents in the Posts and Telegraphs. Instruction booklets like this one were widely distributed to standardize practices and improve staff health, during an era of modernization of public administrations.

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