WW1 Rare assortment of Journée insignias including three René Lalique designs, Journée Nationale des Tuberculeux pochette and a Steinlen postcard

Several of the listed items were issued to raise funds for an array of prestigious and highly profiled National and Regional 'Journées' including:  Journée Nationale des Orphelins de Guerre (Photos 14 and 15), Journée du Poilu (Photos 16 left and 17 left),  La Journée de Paris (Photos 12 and 13), Journée Nationale des Tuberculeux Anciens Militaires 1914-1917 (Photos 6 and 7), Le Devoir Social (Photos 18 right and 19 right),  La Journée Française Secours National 1915 (Photos 10 right and 11 right), Journée du 75 (Photos 16 right and 17 right), Journée Nationale des Mères de Familles Nombreuses (Photos 18 left and 19 left ) and two inter war Monument pour Ferdinand Foch insignias (Photos 22 bottom and 23 bottom).

Also included in this ‘Lot’ is a Journée du Poilu postcard designed by the very famous Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (Photos 8 and 9), an Albert I Belgian medal (Photos 10 left and 11 left), two Olibet cardboard cutouts of a soldier and medal (Photos 22 top and 23 top) as well as a rare Journée Nationale des Tuberculeux Anciens Militaires 1914-1917 ‘pochette’ (Photo 20 and 21).

The René Lalique designs – two were designed for the Orphelinat Des Armées - one is a brass plaquette in the shape of a broad Maltese Cross measuring 33 x 30 mm and featuring a crouching female figure whose arms encircle two small unclothed children. Underneath is the inscription "Orphelinat Des Armées" along with his engraved name - R Lalique. This version was produced in very thin pressed brass with a small tricolour ribbon tied through a machined hole at the top and was also produced in cardboard (Photos 3, 4 and 5). Surprisingly, this iconic design was regarded in some quarters as 'scandalous' - the Roman Catholic Church and certain particular conservative groups were reluctant to allow the thousands of volunteer street collectors, made up mainly of young women and girls, to be embarrassed to sell the plaquettes to the general public. Despite this opposition, the design proved to be immensely popular with the general public and demand far exceeded supply.

The lapel pin (Photos 6 right, 7 right and 24) was the first of three designs he created for the 1917 'Journée pour les blessés de la tuberculose'. The central motif is of a nurse with her hands on the shoulders of a soldier recuperating from the deadly illness. The imagery of the first version is less refined than the later versions. In the first design which appeared to be quite crude, the nurse's stance is far more upright, the soldier's face is turned rather than in profile and his facial features appear to be almost blurred. In addition, this particular version was beset with manufacturing problems – the vast majority were produced with a pronounced split in the head of pin – and was quickly withdrawn from sales and a second version replaced it.

Condition report: The colours and depth of definition of the various items are very good with some wear and tear as shown in the photos. 

Should you require any further information or if you wish to see further photos please feel free to contact me.

Please note that Photo 24 is for information only and forms no part of the auction.

Postage abroad - please contact me for individual pricing.

Combined postage will always be used if multiple purchases are made and any excess postage costs incurred will be reimbursed.

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