1929 Handwritten Note to French Government Official

On offer is a well-written note to a French government official in the years leading up to World War Two (WWII). This is a lovely note sent to a Monsieur Ollivier You who resides in Paris. Our informal research has not found any additional information about Ollivier You. However, along with this note are 2 envelopes addressed to him. One notes that he is “Le Director au Ministere des colonies ” or “Director at the Ministry of Colonies”.

The note reads as follows:

Mon Cher Cousin, Ollivier…Nous nous tres nivement regrelle de ne pas revoir a votre retour des tropiques, mais nous comprenons fort bien que vous ayez en hate de regaguer Paris, surtout le mauvais temps que nous avez []. Nous sommes heureaux que les conditions de votre voyage sont ete favorables. Nous esperons feruement que vous trop tarder, vous ayons l'occasion de nous revoir. Nous nous reunissons tous ici pour vous lire a tous deux nos sentiments le sincere amitie auxquels je joius affectueux fourni ages pour notre charmente cousine. Nos meilleurs souvenirs aux Darroussin quand vous les verrez

[Translation: My Dear Cousin, Ollivier… We are very sorry not to see you on your return from the tropics, but we understand very well that you are looking forward to returning to Paris, especially with the bad weather we have [experienced]. We are happy that the conditions of your trip were favourable. We fervently hope that you will have the opportunity to see us again. We all gather here to convey to you both our feelings of the sincere friendship to which I rejoice in my affectionate regard for our charming cousin. Our best memories to the Darroussin’s when you see them]. 

For a social historian, this note gives a glimpse into the life of well-off upper middle class French during the inter-war years.

The note measures 7.25 inches by 6.5 inches. It is a heavy paper that folds in half. The inside is the note card and the exterior serves as the envelope. The edges were at one time gummed. There is a half inch perforation around the entire edge of the note. The perforated edge was not torn to open the note. The handwriting is quite legible.