Poilu Collection

"nos Poilus" Hunter on foot -portrait of Poilu during the first world war 1914-1918 (postcard)
PCT4298170 "nos Poilus" Hunter on foot -portrait of Poilu during the first world war 1914-1918 (postcard); © Patrice Cartier. All rights reserved 2023.

Poilu and Tommy after the painttng by Sir William Orpen
2915218 Poilu and Tommy after the painttng by Sir William Orpen. by Orpen, William (1878-1931) (after); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

Poilus making mattresses, between c1915 and c1918. Creator: Bain News Service
Poilus making mattresses, between c1915 and c1918. French soldiers making mattresses during World War I.

French WWI propaganda poster "Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915", pub
699175 French WWI propaganda poster " Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915", pub. 1915 (colour litho) by Neumont

French soldiers raiding a German trench, First World War, 1914-1918, (1933). Creator: Unknown
French soldiers raiding a German trench, First World War, 1914-1918, (1933). French troops making a daylight raid on the German trenches in search of prisoners for information purposes

The 155mm shell makes French soldier look small, WW1
WW1 The 155mm Shell makes French soldier (nicknamed Poilu) look small Date: circa 1916

Soldiers Playing Cards in a Trench, First World War (b/w photo)
1700907 Soldiers Playing Cards in a Trench, First World War (b/w photo) by French Photographer (20th century); (add.info.: Soldiers playing cards in a trench during 1st world war)

Theatre for the Armies of the Republic, French soldier kissing the hand of an actress, 1917 (colour litho)
661491 Theatre for the Armies of the Republic, French soldier kissing the hand of an actress, 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux

The Song of the Poilus, Collection of songs and poems written and sung by Lucien Boyer in the armies of the Republic
661492 The Song of the Poilus, Collection of songs and poems written and sung by Lucien Boyer in the armies of the Republic, published by Francis Salabert, Paris (colour litho) by Arnoux

Theatre for the Armies, front cover illustration from La Baionnette, No 82, 25th January 1917 (colour litho)
661490 Theatre for the Armies, front cover illustration from La Baionnette, No 82, 25th January 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux, Guy (1886-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: le theatre aux Armees)

The Soldier Ploughman, 1917 (colour litho)
698827 The Soldier Ploughman, 1917 (colour litho) by Arnoux, Guy (1886-1951); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: soldat laboureur;); © Archives Charmet

Portrait of a French Soldier in Military Uniform, World War One (colour photo)
1741622 Portrait of a French Soldier in Military Uniform, World War One (colour photo) by French Photographer (20th century); (add.info)

French Soldiers in the Trenches, Verdun, c. 1916-1917 (b/w photo)
1701963 French Soldiers in the Trenches, Verdun, c. 1916-1917 (b/w photo) by French Photographer (20th century); (add.info)

First World War (1914-1918): Cartoon of a Hairy Reading a Poster on the War Loan - Drawing by Abel Faivre (1867-1945)
LSE4088825 First World War (1914-1918): Cartoon of a Hairy Reading a Poster on the War Loan - Drawing by Abel Faivre (1867-1945), for the cover of Le Rire Rouge, October 14, 1916 by Faivre

Soldiers resting in the trenches, World War I (b / w photo)
1729015 Soldiers resting in the trenches, World War I (b/w photo) by French Photographer (20th century); (add.info.: french soldiers playing cards in a shelter during the great wa)

Letter Written by a French Soldier to his Family, 1st October 1914 (pen & ink on paper)
1721785 Letter Written by a French Soldier to his Family, 1st October 1914 (pen & ink on paper) by French School, (20th century); (add.info.: Letter written by a french soldier to his family)

Letters U, V and W: A Wagon Journey (German soldiers taken prisoner). War alphabet
DUV4204230 Letters U, V and W: A Wagon Journey (German soldiers taken prisoner). War alphabet. Illustrations by Henri Lanos (19th-20th century). Hachette et Cie publisher, ca. 1916. 8 pages

Letters O and P: hairy offensive. French soldiers entering a building in which the Germans stole food
DUV4204212 Letters O and P: hairy offensive. French soldiers entering a building in which the Germans stole food and escaped through the window. War alphabet

In front of the ramparts of Verdun - in "The great French virtues"by Lucien Hector (Lucien-Hector)
LSE4090408 In front of the ramparts of Verdun - in " The great French virtues" by Lucien Hector (Lucien-Hector) Jonas (1880-1947), v.1916 by Jonas

The sudden Attack (hairy kissing a woman), Illustration by Mario Pezilla (19th-20th century)
LSE4094318 The sudden Attack (hairy kissing a woman), Illustration by Mario Pezilla (19th-20th century) In " Fantasio 15/7/1916 by Pezilla

Les watteurs (Soldiers francaises de la grande guerre) dans les trchees - in "Les grandes virtutus
LSE4090403 Les watteurs (Soldiers francaises de la grande guerre) dans les trchees - in " Les grandes virtutus francaises" by Lucien Hector (Lucien-Hector) Jonas (1880-1947)

General Nivelles Offensive during the Battle of Verdun, April 1916 (colour woodcut)
698802 General Nivelles Offensive during the Battle of Verdun, April 1916 (colour woodcut) by Hermann, Paul (1864-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Our Wounded, cover of La Baionette magazine, 1st June, 1916 (colour litho)
XIR418459 Our Wounded, cover of La Baionette magazine, 1st June, 1916 (colour litho) by Poulbot, Francisque (1879-1946); Musee de La Presse, Paris

The Poilus Achievements, pushing the German beyond the Rhine, cover of a boardgame
698826 The Poilus Achievements, pushing the German beyond the Rhine, cover of a boardgame, c.1914-15 (colour litho) by French School

Jules-Andre Peugeot, first French soldier to be killed in the First World War on 2 August
CHT418437 Jules-Andre Peugeot, first French soldier to be killed in the First World War on 2 August 1914 (b/w photo) by French Photographer; Musee de l Armee, Paris

French WWI propaganda poster "Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915", pub
1449136 French WWI propaganda poster " Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915", pub. 1915 (colour litho) by Neumont

You are not asked to die but to be thrifty, caricature of war profiteers, c
CHT163657 You are not asked to die but to be thrifty, caricature of war profiteers, c. 1914-18 (litho) (b/w photo) by Faivre, Jules Abel (1867-1945); Musee d Histoire Contemporaine, B.D.I.C

The French infantry in the battle, 1917 (colour litho)
699177 The French infantry in the battle, 1917 (colour litho) by Delaspre, H. (fl.1894-1915); 120x80 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Colouring book for children, The Relief of Poilus, 1917 (colour litho)
698825 Colouring book for children, The Relief of Poilus, 1917 (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: album a colorier)

Postcard depicting French soldiers in the trenches, 1914-18 (coloured photo)
MTL190355 Postcard depicting French soldiers in the trenches, 1914-18 (coloured photo) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; French, out of copyright

The Great War of 1914-1918 (colour litho)
3621093 The Great War of 1914-1918 (colour litho) by Job, pseudonym for Onfray de Breville, Jacques (1858-1931); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Great War of 1914-1918)

Little boy dressed as a soldier (colour photo)
3091276 Little boy dressed as a soldier (colour photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Little boy dressed as a soldier)

Cartoon, French soldiers departing on leave, WW1
Cartoon by Pierre Abadie-Landel, Les Joies du Poilu (The Pleasures of the Poilu), French soldiers departing on leave, First World War. 1917

Cartoon, French soldiers relaxing on leave, WW1
Cartoon by Pierre Abadie-Landel, Les Joies du Poilu (The Pleasures of the Poilu), French soldiers relaxing on leave, First World War. 1917

Alone at Last - Poilu Day, 1915 (litho)
699176 Alone at Last - Poilu Day, 1915 (litho) by Willette, Adolphe Leon (1857-1926); 100x79 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915. Organisee par le parlement)

Concert at Mauffrecourt before going to the trenches, 15th July 1916 (b / w photo)
661489 Concert at Mauffrecourt before going to the trenches, 15th July 1916 (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

"Journee du Poilu", 1915 (postcard)
3786999 " Journee du Poilu", 1915 (postcard) by Steinlen, Theophile Alexandre (1859-1923); (add.info.: (day off for the french soldier during the first World War)

Brothers in Arms: A Poilu Greets British Soldiers, 1916. Creator: Unknown
Brothers in Arms: A " Poilu" Greets British Soldiers, 1916. The Poilu were infantry soldiers in the French army during the First World War

Journee du Poilu 25 et 26 Decembre 1915, French World War I poster, 1915. Poilu was the nickname given to the French infantry soldier of the First World War, the equivalent of the British Tommy

Journee du Poilu, 31 October-1 November 1915, French World War I poster, 1915. Poilu was the nickname given to the French infantry soldier of the First World War, the equivalent of the British Tommy

Poilu And Tommy After The Painttng By Sir William Orpen. From The Magazine Twenty Years After The Battlefields Of 1914-1918 Then And Now By Sir Ernest Swinton Published 1938

Journee du Poilu. Organisee par le Parlement. A young girl in a Red Cross nurses uniform and a small boy wearing a red cap

Buying Easter presents: an entente leave-scene in Paris
On the same errand a French poilu and a British officer shopping for their loved ones. Date: 1916

French troop train in World War One at a station
A French military troop train stops at a rural station, somewhere in France, and takes on refreshments and supplies at the military station canteen. Date: 1917

French veterans listen to a WW1 soldier
A military circle in Paris. French veterans from another war listen to a First World War soldier tell them about the current conflict. Date: 1916

Gamages Xmas bazaar advertisement, WW1
An advertisement for the famous Gamages store on Holborn, London, promoting their annual Christmas bazaar. Typically for the period

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Poilu: The Resilient French Soldiers of World War I" In the midst of the chaos and destruction of World War I, a 155mm shell soars through the air, dwarfing a brave French soldier. These "poilus, " as they were affectionately called, faced unimaginable horrors on the frontlines. One captivating image captures French soldiers raiding a German trench in 1914. With determination etched on their faces, they fought valiantly for their country's freedom. Another snapshot reveals moments of respite as soldiers engage in a game of cards amidst the desolation of trench warfare. Amidst the brutality, there were glimpses of humanity. In an enchanting scene from 1917, a French soldier kisses the hand of an actress performing at "Theatre for the Armies. " This colorful lithograph showcases how art provided solace and brief moments of escape from war's harsh reality. "The Song of the Poilus" resonated deeply within these courageous men. Lucien Boyer's collection captured their emotions and experiences during this tumultuous time. Published by Francis Salabert in Paris, it served as an anthem that echoed across battlefields. La Baionnette's front cover illustration from January 25th, 1917 further highlights how theater played a role in boosting morale among troops. It depicted soldiers eagerly attending performances to momentarily forget about their grim surroundings. Even amidst war-torn landscapes, life persisted. A vibrant color lithograph titled "The Soldier Ploughman" portrays a soldier tilling fields with hope for better days ahead – showcasing resilience even amid adversity. Individual portraits bring forth personal stories; one photograph depicts a proud French soldier adorned in military uniform while another shows weary soldiers huddled together in trenches at Verdun between 1916-1917 - capturing both strength and vulnerability simultaneously. Cartoons also found their place during wartime propaganda.