Susan’s Album Amicorum 1920-23, drawings, watercolors, teachers and peers sentiments

A 60 leaves note book, about 5×7.5 inches, most pages filled with artworks, literary quotations and personal sentiments. The moleskine binding is protected with a period floral fabric of bold colors on a night blue background.

À ma petite fille, Suzanne en récompense de son bon travail en classe.,12 Juillet 1920
J.P.

“To my little granddaughter, Suzanne, as a reward for her good work in class. July 12, 1920
J.P.”

 

Handwritten dedication from a teacher to her young pupil dated September 11, 1920, in Montbéliard. Written in elegant cursive French, it reflects on life’s delicate joys and the importance of kindness. The opposite page features a watercolor of yellow and orange roses with green leaves.
  

À ma chère petite élève

La vie est une fleur dont l’on respire à peine
Ses bonheurs délicats sans fait de porcelaine.
On n’y touche jamais qu’avec un soin profond,
Pour les conserver, il faut être bon.

Montbéliard, 11 Septembre 1920
Mary Schütz

 

 

     A handwritten dedication in this album amicorum from a devoted mathematics teacher, Fernande Moch, dated January 30, 1923, in Montbéliard. It includes a passage by Lamartine reflecting on life as an irreversible book and a personal note on the enduring nature of friendship. A photograph of the teacher is affixed to the page.              Watercolor of two French soldiers in colorful uniforms conversing, with a small yellow dog wearing a spiked collar between them.   “Est-là la tenue réglementaire ?”
“Oui, mon lieutenant, à la guerre comme à la guerre.”

“Is that the regulation uniform?”
“Yes, Lieutenant, in war as in war.” (Meaning: One must adapt to circumstances in war.)