Vintage 1939 Match Magazine, decorated sailor, retro WW2 press

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old magazine is a period copy of the famous weekly "Match", whose cover features a black and white photograph of a young French sailor, decorated with two military medals. The image, of great symbolic power, captures the emotion of the historical context of late 1939. The "MATCH" logo appears in bright red in a circle at the top left, contrasting with the sobriety of the cover. The full title visible at the bottom of the page states: "L'HEBDOMADAIRE DE L'ACTUALITÉ MONDIALE 9 NOVEMBRE 1939 2 fr.".

The cover portrait shows sailor Gérard, 18, proudly wearing his French Navy uniform, with his pompom beret visible and two military decorations pinned to his chest: the Military Medal and the 1939 Croix de Guerre, awarded for bravery at sea, according to the inscription printed on the cover. The photographic composition, typical of photojournalism from the late 1930s, highlights the solemnity of the subject and the graphic aesthetic of the era.

The spine of the magazine, visible on the left, shows slight wear and tear, characteristic of period magazines that have survived for almost a century. The cover shows some superficial marks, without major alteration to the visual. The grey tones of the photograph, combined with the modernist typography of the title, reflect the editorial style of the illustrated press of the pre-war period.

The magazine is distinguished by its large format with a square spine, typical of illustrated weekly publications of the period. No other details of the interior or back are visible in the provided photo. The whole evokes patriotic iconography and the history of the French press on the eve of the Second World War.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Slight traces of wear visible on the spine and cover. Presence of signs of age without major apparent missing parts on the visible side.

Did you know? The magazine "Match" was launched in 1938 and was first known as "Match, l'hebdomadaire de l'actualité mondiale" before becoming "Paris Match" after the war. It stood out for the importance given to press photography, in the vein of the American magazine "Life".

AFW Reassurance

Fast shipping and careful packaging guaranteed by a professional seller specializing in old press and historical objects.

Keywords: old magazine, Match magazine 1939, vintage illustrated press, retro newspaper, weekly news, decorated sailor cover, Paris Match origins, old French press, World War II magazine, French vintage press, military medal, Croix de Guerre 1939