2687 – Postcard

Physical description:

First World War colour postcard, featuring the French lucky mascots Nenette, Rintintin and their baby Petit Lardon - dolls made of strands of wool.

Museum classification:

Protection

Size:

140 x 90

Information:

The printed writing on the postcard is in a mixture of French and English, suggesting that it was intended for use by English and American troops. The first (of several) postmarks is dated 6 September 1918 (22 days before the end of the war), and from an army post in France. The message written on the postcard is from a soldier to his daughter. Nenette and Rintintin were invented by the designer Francisque Poulbot in 1913, and went on to become popular French mascots during WWI, used as amulets by soldiers and thought to protect civilians against bombing and bombardment. The famous canine actor Rintintin was rescued as a puppy from a bombed kennel in Lorraine by an American soldier, and named after the mascot.

Resource:

Picture

Materials:

Card

The printed writing on the postcard is in a mixture of French and English, suggesting that it was intended for use by English and American troops. The first (of several) postmarks is dated 6 September 1918 (22 days before the end of the war), and from an army post in France. The message written on the postcard is from a soldier to his daughter. Nenette and Rintintin were invented by the designer Francisque Poulbot in 1913, and went on to become popular French mascots during WWI, used as amulets by soldiers and thought to protect civilians against bombing and bombardment. The famous canine actor Rintintin was rescued as a puppy from a bombed kennel in Lorraine by an American soldier, and named after the mascot.