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Journée de Poilu
Unknown - Enlarge image
Journée de Poilu
- Object:
Postcard
- Place of origin:
France (printed)
France (published) - Date:
1915 (printed)
1915 (published) - Artist/Maker:
Unknown (artist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Letterpress on card
- Museum number:
E.410-2008
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case GG, shelf 68, box G
By the early 20th Century greetings postcards had overtaken folder cards in popularity as they were cheaper to post. A ban on Christmas cards to conserve supplies of paper was mooted during the First World War but the idea was abandoned in the interests of maintaining the troops' morale. This patriotic card from France was published to commemorate Journée du Poilu (Soldiers' Day) in 1915. "Poilu" (literally hairy one) was an affectionate nickname for WWI French infantrymen similar to the English "Tommy".