Novocastrian

Good point.

Just in case a passing expert cares to comment, I think the jewel in the crown of the book collection is a presumably obscure volume by a French left liberal intellectual named (quite exotically) Pierre Lhoste-Lachaume. He wrote a treatise called "Realisme et Serenite, Synthese Practique de Pense et d'Action" published by Librairie Felix Alcan in 1936.

What makes this copy stand out is that is inscribed "A Mademoiselle ****** homage de l'auteur" and signed and dated 18 Mai 1940.

I've only found 1 copy of this edition for sale online and that one is worth 97 euro. This one as said is signed and in excellent condition.

Anyone?

Chatter Static

The wooden light fitting had to go, It resembled a set piece from the Shining.

cjm

Thought I'd add to this thread given the reference to books found. I posted elsewhere we are switching life more back to UK, so we raided our bookshelves to pack them away, prior to renting the house for summer holidays.

My SOH came across a reprint of a book passed to us on the death of her dad (served in Burma). I know it's a reprint 'cos it's marked at £4.99 and dated 2005. But its title is Instructions for 'British Servicemen in France 1944'.

I want to share some very smiley bits.

Under Words and Phrases (Difficulties and Enquiries) it is written: 'What nationality are? Are you French? German?'. To help our lads it offers the French pronunciation phonetically: 'Der kell nass-ee-onalitay ate voo? Ate voo Fronsay? Allmon?'

On the back cover there are three extracts:
' ... If you should happen that the first pretty French girl who smiles at you intends to dance the can-can or take you to bed, you will risk stirring up a lot of trouble for yourself - and for our relations with the French ...'
'... Don't drink yourself silly. If you get the chance to drink wine, learn to 'take it' ...'
'... The French are more polite than most of us. remember to call them Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle, not just 'Oy' ...'

I have to say I resemble the pronunciation element ...

Chatter Static

A side note I found a WWII US Army service mans map of France at boot fair here for 3 euros.

cjm

Brilliant. I need to look harder for that kind of material. I neglected to say the book, plus another on true stories of WW2 and one on Tudor dynasty, will be be donated to a French friend, who loves English history and who has a fascination with all things military, esp. WW2.

Chatter Static

I have been collecting the two forms of French currency from the war as well having a peak in the coin pots is always worth while.

cjm

That is spooky, not for me, but my French friend is an avid collection of mint banknotes; we had to get him a £50 one from our UK bank.