My collection
My photographic collection first began in 1986, in a
flea market in Paris. While wading through a bunch of old papers, my attention
was drawn by a "Carte de visite" photography of a cavalry superior officier. The
clear crisp of the photo, the soldiery attitude and the nice uniform outfit
stroke a light. My collection had begun.
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Photo Hanssens (Aire sur
Lys) |
Year after year, I have accumulated an
important collection (around 2000 pièces ?) and I started to specialize my
research to officiers and more rare uniforms (colonial troops, zouaves...). When
I can identify a soldier, I often go to the military archives (SHAT and SHM) to
search more detailled information on his career.
My period of search goes from 1860 to 1914,
when the Carte de Visite was a craze, and I deal quite exclusively on french
uniforms, on cardboard support (carte de visites and cabinet).
Yet, I have also widened my scope on all the
military photographs on the period (groups, regimental photography, manoeuvers,
official photographies...)
My dearst piece remains my grandfather's
portrait, Gilbert
Discours, fighter pilot during the First World War (4 victories), who
retired as a Major in 1934.
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Photo
Lang (Orange) |
Although this index is in english, the text of the folowing pages
are still in french.
Uniforms
Evolution of uniforms of the french army between 1850 and 1914, illustrated by photographs :
Histor of th franch army
(1840-1914)
Glory and sad days of the army from the Juillet monarchy to the Belle epoque
The french army
(1860-1914)
Organisation and equipment of the french army from the Second Empire to 1914
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History
of regiment and batalions of the French Army (1850-1914).
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History and organisation of the french army
between 1873 and 1914 : List and biographies of the major commanders
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Organisation of the major units who fought during the First World War
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Biographies
Biographical notices of french officers : a travel through the XIX century history
