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N⁰ 47. Congo Belge Caporal clairon et sa femme

National Museum of African Art

Object Details

Local Numbers
EEPA CG-38-13
General
Title source: Postcard caption.
Citation source: Archives staff.
Creator
Préaux Freres
Magis
Place
Africa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topic
Military -- Africa
Portrait photography -- Africa
Costume
Creator
Préaux Freres
Magis
See more items in
African Postcard Collection
African Postcard Collection / Series 11: Congo Belge (CG)
Extent
1 Postcard (collotype., b&w, 14 x 9 cm.)
Date
ca. 1919
Container
Volume 4 CG
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.1985-014, Item EEPA CG 2011-001-1370
Type
Archival materials
Postcards
Postcards
Collection Citation
African Postcard collection, EEPA 1985-014, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form
Postcards
Scope and Contents
Printed caption on recto reads: "N⁰ 47. Congo Belge. - Caporal clairon et sa femme." Translated postcard caption reads: "Belgian Congo. Corporal bugler and his wife."
Publisher's logo on recto: "V.P.F. Dépose." Printed text on verso reads: "Déposé. Editeur Magis, La Croyère 929."
Manuscript message on recto and verso, address on verso. Postmarks on verso.
Manuscript message on verso message reads: "Mon cher Marcel, comme il ne m'est pas possible d'aller encore vous rendre une petite visite à l'hôpital , je vous adresse la présente espérant qu'elle vous distraira quelques minutes de la monotonie au lieu oú vous vous trouvez forcément. Nous sommes bien rentrées hier et avons eu du monde à la soirée, comme toujours, on a causé gouvernement!!! et chers petits soldats! Nous avons rencontré un "pass" nègre comme celui que vous voyez au verso, il avait rudement l'air fier et heureux de ses succès. Tout le monde le regardait en souriant. J'espère que le mieux s'accentue et que nous aurons bientôt le plaisir de vous revoir ici et tout à fait guéri. Souhaitez de notre part bon courage et bonne chance à votre camarade pour son pied, nous formons tous les meilleurs voeux pour qu'il n'ait rien de grave et qu'on ne doive plus l'opérer. Mode économique que d'aller à "pîdchô" comme le couple du verso; ils épargnent 500 francs à eux deux! Il n'est pas mal de visage hein lui pour un moricaud! Je souhaite pour vous que vous ayez jeudi les visites de Jules (j'ai oublié son nom de famille), Mr. Mallarme, et vos amis soldats, afin que vous ne soyez pas tout seul alors que les autres malades sont entourés. Je vais écrire à Berke et lui conter notre visite auprès de vous, cela lui fera plaisir ainsi qu'à votre chère Maman. A propos, consolez-vous du départ des Anglais... les cigarettes restent!!! Valère m'a dit qu'on en vendait chez les marchands de tabac. Pendant que je vous écrit, j'entends (chez le voisin) écorcher le grand air de "Louise" pour l'amour du Seigneur est-il possible de se faire entendre quand on chante aussi mal, j'en ai les nerfs qui branlent! C'est épouvantable! La chanteuse (si on peut l'appeler ainsi) ferait ruer un cheval de bois. Valère qui est un profane crie: Fermez les portes!"
Translated verso message reads: "My dear Marcel, since it is not possible to pay you a little visit at the hospital, I send you this present note hoping that it will distract you for a few minutes from the monotony of the place where you are residing per force. We got back home safely yesterday and have had visits in the evening. As usual we talked "government"!!! and dear little soldiers! We met a negro just like the one you see overleaf, he seemed pretty proud and happy with his successes. Everyone was looking at him and smiling to him. I hope you keep getting better and that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here and fully recovered. Extend our best wishes of good courage and luck to your comrade for his foot. We are wishing very much that is condition not be serious and that more surgery not be necessary. It is a cheap way to go barefoot like the couple overleaf, together they save 500 francs! He has got a nice face, don't you think, for a dark skinned? Wish you to have the visits of Jules (I forgot his last name), Mr. Mallarme and your soldier friends next thursday, so that you are not lonely while the other sick people are surrounded with loved ones. I shall write to Berke and tell our visit to you. It will please her and your dear mother. By the way, get over the departure of the English... the cigarettes are staying! Valere told me that they were being sold at the tobacconists. As I write, I hear (at the neighbor's) the great aria of "Louise" being murdered, for the love of God how is it possible to have oneself heard when one sings poorly, it grates on my nerves. It's awful! The singer (if you can call her that) would have a wooden horse kick. Valere is shouting: "Shut the doors!"."
Manuscript message on recto reads: "Voici "Madame la Caporale" un joli "Sker" à faire pour vous. Profitez-en. Cela ne vous chanterait pas une belle négresse? Je vais vous laisser car mon encrier pourrait se mettre en grève prouvant que je l'utilise trop pour mes cinq centimes, il serait peut-être dans son droit. Au revoir donc mon cher petit Marceleke, nous vous envoyons toutes nos bonnes amitiés et de grosses baises. Speck me prie de vous dire qu'il vous donne sa plus belle passe et vous fait une "lekkskes" sur la main. Votre dévouée Mathilde. Bruxelles, Lundi 20-1-19."
Translated recto message reads: "Here is "Madame la Caporale" a nice "Sker" for you to do. Take advantage of the situation. Wouldn't you enjoy a beautiful negro girl? I am going to leave you because my inkwell could go on strike, find that I use it too much for my five cents, it could well be within its rights. Good bye dear little Marceleke, we send you all our greetings and fat kisses. Speck asks me to tell you that he gives you his best deal and puts a "lekkskes" on your hand. Your devoted Mathilde. Brussels, Monday 20-1-19."
Items EEPA CG-38-12 and EEPA CG-38-13 are duplicate postcards.
Collection Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1536871081657-1536871087721-0
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo7258a204e-5a39-4de1-b138-826c222a0804

Related Content

  • African Postcard Collection

N⁰ 47. Congo Belge Caporal clairon et sa femme
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