‎TALABOT, R[omain]. ‎
‎Album souvenir. Friedberg-en-Hesse, Allemagne. Souvenir album of a French Officer, a prisoner in Friedberg-en-Hesse, Germany, World War 1. Photo album beautifully decorated in an Art Nouveau style and revealing the day-to-day reality of a camp reserved for high-ranking prisoners in enemy territory during WWI. ‎

‎[Friedberg-en-Hesse, Germany], No publisher, unique piece, 1915. Oblong format : 10.8 x 7.5 inch. Bound in full beige cloth (new), with two closing laces. 68 pages. Moving and interesting album relating to the captivity in Germany, during the First World War, of a French officer of the 46th Infantry Regiment, Second-Lieutenant Romain Talabot. It contains a postcard, 114 original photographs, often captioned, and numerous illustrations (mainly ornamental) providing a glimpse, over the course of 1915, of life in the Friedberg-en-Hesse prison camp. Several views, some of them aerial, show the layout and environment of the camp : the large courtyard, the buildings (barracks, gymnasium) and the surrounding landscape (the village of Friedberg and the Taunus mountain range). Portraits make up a majority of the shots : individual or group, they evoke the diversity of nationalities present, with French, English, Belgian, Russian and colonial army officers rubbing shoulders, as well as ranks, arms (infantry, cavalry, etc.) and geographical and military origins (the 46th, 147th and 256th are mentioned). Thus, according to the author's indications, among the French there are the “Bourguignons”, the “5 Batignollais”, the “Africans”, or even an Algerian ; Belgians and Russians form groups that are sometimes separate, sometimes mixed with the others, and there seems to be a certain solidarity among these companions in misfortune, even a frank camaraderie that shows in their faces or attitudes. Added to this, is the variety of religious denominations, alluded to by photos of a Russian pope and those of Abbé Noël Delattre, former vicar of Cambrai and then the camp's Catholic chaplain, posing by the altar in the prayer room. The photographs reveal the day-to-day reality of a camp reserved for high-ranking prisoners in enemy territory, in stark contrast to the extremely harsh living conditions of ordinary soldiers : at Friedberg, Talabot and his fellow prisoners had relatively spacious rooms, a kitchen, a refectory, a café-like “buvette” and a vegetable garden. Although the camera's lens captured the changing of the guards and sentries, as well as Zeppelin and airship overflights of the camp, or the arrival of parcels - reminiscent of the immediate wartime context - it is the many leisure activities that are highlighted here : music and singing in a dedicated room, sports practiced in equipped areas such as the gymnasium or the tennis court, table games (bridge) or outdoor games, such as the traditional Russian gorodky*, the popularity of wich is shown through several photos. Lastly, the photographs occasionally document some out-of-the-ordinary episodes : the transfer of the Belgians to Magdeburg, the organization of religious ceremonies on the feasts of Joan of Arc and the Assumption (August 15th, 1915), the burial of a second lieutenant (who had two services, one Catholic and the other Orthodox, celebrated by French and Russians officers, respectively). As for the illustrations, with the exception of a full-page composition for the album's title, they are meticulously framed, with great finesse, in black (ink) and color (watercolor). Their mixed style, between Art Nouveau arabesques or floral patterns and sober, geometric incoming Art Deco lines, will be noted with interest. A pleasant and unique collection. * gorodki is a traditional sports game that was very popular in 19th-century Russia. On a 22 x 12 m rectangular field, a 2 m square (“gorod”) is marked out and 5 wooden cylinders (“gorodki”) are arranged in 15 set configurations. The aim is to knock down these “skittles”, from a distance of 13, then 6.5 m, using wooden bats, in a minimum time and a reduced number of throws. ‎

Reference : 2647

‎A few photographs exposed or damaged (last 2 pages, in particular), old small traces of glue and watermarks (healthy dampness, however), serpents not uniform and sometimes missing or partial, spine very slightly warped, paper endpapers and back covers replaced, otherwise good condition. Formed at the beginning of Louis XIV's reign under the name “Mazarin-Français”, the 46th Infantry Regiment became the “régiment Bretagne” in 1658. It adopted the motto “Rather die than fail”, and its badge featured the figure of Théophile Malo Corret de La Tour d'Auvergne, killed in 1800. Having distinguished itself in the wars of the 19th century, the 46th was formed in Paris on August 7, 1914, with 50 officers (including 38 on active duty) and 3,322 troopers, all under the command of Colonel Malleterre. Engaged in the Meuse from the 8th of August, it took part in the Marne victory, before moving to Argonne at the end of October. Faced with the Kronprinz's troops, it suffered a violent German attack at the Haute Chevauchée on January the 7th and 8th, 1915: many were killed and wounded, and among the missing was second lieutenant Romain Talabot, who was actually taken prisoner and transferred to the Friedberg-en-Hesse camp. This officers' camp (like Magdeburg, Burg, Crefeld and Mainz) is the result of the Germans' conversion of recent barracks. If we are to believe the report signed by National Councillor Eugster, representative of the Geneva International Committee to the German Committee for the Distribution of Gifts to French Prisoners, after visiting 17 prison camps (including Friedberg) in Germany between February 25th and March 10th 1915, the enemy administration had shown remarkable speed and efficiency in erecting these buildings. The Frenchman was full of praise for the hygiene (daily showers, baths every 8-10 days), the comfort of the accommodation and living conditions (light, heating, “model” sanitary and hospital facilities, large and beautiful kitchens equipped with modern cooking appliances, food in sufficient quantity and of good quality), the facilities (sports grounds, halls of worship, libraries) and services (regular mail delivery, cultural activities) enjoyed, in particular, by the officers' camps, concluding that “all these places will make pleasant places to stay in summer”. These observations corroborate the impression conveyed by the photographs in this album, namely that internment conditions were better than those portrayed by propaganda speeches and “rear” press organs. Officer Talabot was new to Friedberg-en-Hesse at the time of this spring 1915 inspection, but we don't know whether he met Councillor Eugster and whether he would have confirmed his statements. Likewise, we still need to clarify the reasons for and means of producing these photographs, the album and its ornamentation, as well as the background of its author, recorded in the archives as a second lieutenant and then a lieutenant under 4 different regimental numbers. A precious and unusual record of the fate of Allied officers taken prisoner in 1914-1918. - Clients Livre Rare Book : Les frais postaux indiqués sont ceux pour la France métropolitaine et la Corse, pour les autres destinations, merci de contacter la librairie pour connaître le montant des frais d'expédition, merci de votre compréhension. Livre Rare Book Customers : The shipping fees indicated are only for France, if you want international shipping please contact us before placing your order, thank you for your understanding. - Frais de port : -Colissimo France 9,5 € -U.E. + SUISSE 18,5 € - Colissimo Monde 23 € -Outre-Mer (OM 1 : 25 €) (OM 2 : 32 €) ‎