1893 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF FRENCH FIN-DE-SIÈCLE REGIMENT BUGLE SONGS FROM A BUGLE PLAYER STATIONED IN THE INDRE-ET-LOIRE DÉPARTEMENT

On offer is a unique relic from fin de siècle France, an 1893 original manuscript book of Regiment Bugle Songs, from the 66th Infantry. The inside of the front cover gives the specific information: “Durand, Albert. Caporal Clairon 66ème Régiment d’Infanterie à Tours Indre et Loire”. Durand was ‘Caporal Clairon’ or ‘First Bugle’ of the 66th Infantry Regiment Tours, in the the Indre-et-Loire Département. Indre-et-Loire is in west-central France. The title page reads: Class 1893. Cahier appartenant à Monsieur Durand Albert...” The first page consists of a 1 page entry by Durand, reflections on a lost love and the effect it has had on his heart and soul. Then the book goes into the bugle songs. There are 23 songs covered over the 45 page book. Each song contains the whole of its lyrics, handwritten in flowing French script. Songs included are: “La Fête au Village,” “Moustaches - Polka,” “Les Brunes et Les Blondes,” “Une Promenade aux Tuileries,” “Petit Chagrin,” “Un bal chez un Ministre,” “Ma Grosse Julie,” “Au Clair de la Lune,” “Les Noctambules,” and many others. Most songs are structured the same way, a number of number of verses between a refrain or chorus. Each song also contains Durand’s signature at the very end of it, and sometimes a little note, e.g. “vive la classe 93 complet encore,” “Durand est un vieux cabot,” “Ligné un homme de la classe,” or “vieux cabot Clairon”. Finally, there is a beautiful printed map of France on the very last page in the back. The map is printed in a reddish pink color. It is still in good condition. The book contains 45 pages in total all written in French. There is wear and discoloration on the covers and spine. Inside, two pages have come away from the binding and some are slightly disconnected. Every page has yellowed with foxing with ruffled edges. The handwriting is clear and legible throughout. The black ink used has faded to a rust colored reddish-brown. All content is still very readable. The book measures 8 3/4" x 6 3/4". OVERALL: G+; Manuscript; 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, FIN DE SIÈCLE FRANCE, FRANCE AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY, MONSIEUR ALBERT DURAND, CAPORAL CLAIRON, FIRST BUGLE, 66TH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY, 66ÈME RÉGIMENT D’INFANTERIE, TOURS INDRE-ET-LOIRE, WEST-CENTRAL FRANCE, BUGLE SONGS, CHANSONS DE FRANCE, POLKA, AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE, FRANCOPHONIA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ARCHIVE, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNAL, LOG, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D’ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL