Postcard, A. Hatier, Paris, 1915
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1915
Postcard - 'Les Cartes du Front', visa no.8, published by A. Hatier, 8 Rue d'Assas, Paris, during World War I. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, many of the smaller townships along the eastern French border would have been all but unknown to most Australians.
Names such as Bapaume, Cambrai, Lille and Ypres would become highly recognisable sites of heavy fighting in the years ahead, and increasingly, after the failed Gallipoli campaign of 1915, would involve Australian military forces being redirected to European theaters of war. Printed postcard map titled 'Les Cartes du Front' published by A. Hatier, 8 Rue d'Assas, Paris, depicting the area of the Western Front during the First World War from the northern French coastline through to the Swiss border.
Although the front line itself is not marked, all the major towns and cities along the front are shown, as are the country borders in the area for France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany. There is an index numbered 1 to 12 in the upper right corner of the image.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This French First World War postcard depicting the geography of the Western Front illustrates the 'foreignness' that France represented to many Australian soldiers, often travelling overseas for the first time. Such documents enhance our representation of military life, highlighting the culture of communication of soldiers on active duty.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 13.9 mm (Width), 9.5 mm (Height)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- A Hatier
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Recto, index titled, upper rh corner: Les CARTES du FRONT./ Prox: 0 fr. 15 Recto, text, lower lh corner: Visa No 8-Autorisse et deposse/ A. HATIER, Editeur, 8 Rue d' Assas-Paris Reto, text, lower rh corner: PRIX: 0 15 centimes Verso, heading text, upper margin: CORRESPONDANCE DES ARMEES/ FRANCHISE MILITAIRE Verso, body text, upper: Partie Reservee a la Correspondance/ Adresse du Destinataire Verso, body text, lh column: Nom et adresse/ de/ l'Expediteur Verso, body text, rh column: Nom/ Grade/ ou/ Emploi/ a/ (1) Ville et Departement ou Secteur
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-1722044
- Museum object name
- Postcard - 'Les Cartes du Front', A. Hatier, visa no.8, World War I, circa 1915
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- HT 27733
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.