Details
1870-71 Siege of Paris. A quite exceptional correspondence written by an English manufacturer, W.J. Brown to his wife in England. The correspondence which comprises over 30 holograph letters (all accompanied by typed transcripts) commences during the first week of September 1870 and concludes on the 24th February 1871. The long letters give an incredible insight into every aspect of life in Paris during the Siege and relates graphic details of military actions as well as the fundamentals of survival. The initial mood of nonchalance changes to one of near despair as the Siege progresses.
The collection includes fourteen Ballons Montes, mostly commoner Flights and in mixed condition (one with adhesive cut out). An addendum of particular interest is a telegram sent by Dr. Brown's wife from London on 26th November and received by pigeon in Paris on 12th January complete with "Telegramme Prive" envelope. Undoubtedly one of the most significant "Siege" correspondences written in English in private hands.
The collection includes fourteen Ballons Montes, mostly commoner Flights and in mixed condition (one with adhesive cut out). An addendum of particular interest is a telegram sent by Dr. Brown's wife from London on 26th November and received by pigeon in Paris on 12th January complete with "Telegramme Prive" envelope. Undoubtedly one of the most significant "Siege" correspondences written in English in private hands.
Special notice
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Further details
Extracts from letters: "I shall never forget today so long as I live. One might have thought Paris within the walls was the only safe place on earth; thousands were crowding in all directions towards the barriers and our entrance was repeatedly blocked; Men, women and children of all classes were carrying, wheeling or dragging some kind of vehicle...."
"The Champs Elysees is turned into a drill ground, the boulevards to Military Promenades the Garden of the Tuilleries an Artillery Depot the grande Opera a store room for all kinds of Provisions Wine etc etc., the theatres are all closed and the Artists are Soldiers..."
The first Ballon Monté letter being sent on 27 September "...As we have a new method of postal (a balloon) that appears to succeed pretty well I shall try these few lines by it...."; the remainder of the series providing a lively account of life as the siege progresses; "... dont be uneasy about me I am a well in health as possible and what with a little business (which bye the bye is wonderful) my work shop & a few English friends I get along very nicely, & being a special favorite at the restaurant I get the little titbits & so keep my reserves intact or nearly so. You must not imagine Paris in a miserable dillapidated state, it is certainly less bright & luxurious but the activity of the national gardes makes it anything but triste, and generally the people live cheerfully, its true we are in prison they say but it is a large and pleasant one and the Gaolers are kept at a respectful distance & so all goes on. The Champs Elysees presented a wonderful aspect on Sunday full of promoneurs less toilette but looking quite a happy or happier than many of the old frequenters & much better looking & healthier..."
...and as winter wears on describing conditions and marvelling at the resilience of the population "...the women spend hours w(ait) their turn at the butchers & laugh & t(alk) of the ridiculousness of their position, the gamins torment old & young ladies who have poodles abut their price & quality comme viand de Beouf, Young Soldiers leave for the field de bon coeur & it is only when the Ambulance Waggons come in that one sees sad faces....", "... but it is all over now I feel sure, thank God, and what with the prospect of peace and business the abundance of every kind of food, the beautiful Spring weather, and last but not least the prspect of soon, I hope, seeing all your dear faces, I feel supremely happy....", the last written on 24 February 1871; together with a telegram, letters from Maggie to Brown in Paris (one by diplomatic bag), etc.
"The Champs Elysees is turned into a drill ground, the boulevards to Military Promenades the Garden of the Tuilleries an Artillery Depot the grande Opera a store room for all kinds of Provisions Wine etc etc., the theatres are all closed and the Artists are Soldiers..."
The first Ballon Monté letter being sent on 27 September "...As we have a new method of postal (a balloon) that appears to succeed pretty well I shall try these few lines by it...."; the remainder of the series providing a lively account of life as the siege progresses; "... dont be uneasy about me I am a well in health as possible and what with a little business (which bye the bye is wonderful) my work shop & a few English friends I get along very nicely, & being a special favorite at the restaurant I get the little titbits & so keep my reserves intact or nearly so. You must not imagine Paris in a miserable dillapidated state, it is certainly less bright & luxurious but the activity of the national gardes makes it anything but triste, and generally the people live cheerfully, its true we are in prison they say but it is a large and pleasant one and the Gaolers are kept at a respectful distance & so all goes on. The Champs Elysees presented a wonderful aspect on Sunday full of promoneurs less toilette but looking quite a happy or happier than many of the old frequenters & much better looking & healthier..."
...and as winter wears on describing conditions and marvelling at the resilience of the population "...the women spend hours w(ait) their turn at the butchers & laugh & t(alk) of the ridiculousness of their position, the gamins torment old & young ladies who have poodles abut their price & quality comme viand de Beouf, Young Soldiers leave for the field de bon coeur & it is only when the Ambulance Waggons come in that one sees sad faces....", "... but it is all over now I feel sure, thank God, and what with the prospect of peace and business the abundance of every kind of food, the beautiful Spring weather, and last but not least the prspect of soon, I hope, seeing all your dear faces, I feel supremely happy....", the last written on 24 February 1871; together with a telegram, letters from Maggie to Brown in Paris (one by diplomatic bag), etc.