French Gratitude Train, Art

Watercolor (NSHS 7144-161-(2))

Watercolor painting of the cathedral of Chartres that is signed by the artist, “David Faure, 1943.” There is a typed sheet of paper in the right corner that says: ‘Amis Américains, Ceci est l’expression de notre profonde reconnaissance et respectueuse Amitié envers le Peuple Américain. Que Notre Dame de Chartres Bénisse la Maison qui reçevra cette Aquarelle, exécutée par un Peintre de talent, et qui reproduit exactement la Cathédrale de Chartres dans sa majesté et son admirable élégance. [American friends this is an expression of our deep recognition & respectful friendship towards the American people. That our Lady of Chartres blesses this house which will receive this watercolor executed by a painter of talent & which reproduces exactly the Cathedral of Chartres in its magesty & its admirable elegance.]

Drawing (NSHS 7144-53 [dup 7])

Drawing of a finely detailed ship and aircraft between France and America. There is an official school stamp that says: “Paris. 9e, 16, Rue de Milan, Ecole de la Trinité.” On the back it says: “Jeanine Chevalier, classe de 3eme.”

Watercolor 7144-54 [dup1]

Watercolor painting of the shield of Paris with writing above it that says: “LES _LEVES DE L’_COLE DE LA TRINIT_ REMERCIENT BEAUCOUP LEURS FRÈRES AMERICAINS” [The students of the School of the Trinity thank their American brothers very much]. On the boat is written the motto of Paris: “FLUCTUANTNEC MERGITUR” [It floats but doesn’t sink]. There is a school stamp that says: “Paris. 9e, 16, Rue de Milan, Ecole de la Trinité.” 

Watercolor (NSHS 7144-53 [dup9])

Watercolor painting of the ship Reconnaissance with a French flag in the rear. There is a school stamp that says: “Paris. 9e, 16, Rue de Milan, Ecole de la Trinité.” On the back it says: “Bredoux Lucienne, Elève de 3e.” 

Back of drawing (above)

Drawing (NSHS 7144-54 [dup2])

Graphite and crayon drawing of two single-engine airplanes going in opposite directions. The name of the artist, Kadzielawa Nicolas, is in the upper right hand corner.

Watercolors (NSHS 7144-45)

Two watercolor paintings mounted on a large piece of green construction paper. The drawing on the left is of two smokestacks and says: “Cambrai, Ce que je vois d’une salle de classe: Reconnaissance Amitié” [What I see from a class room]. Signed “Aimée” The picture on the right is a rooftop scene that says: “Ce que je vois de la cour de mon école, allée des Soupirs” [What I see from the courtyard of my school, the street of sighs] “Cambrai, A nos amis Americains, Colette Jacquemart.” There is a school car attached in the center that says: “From Cambrai, Nord, Ecole de filles, Allée des Soupirs” [Girls’ School, Street of Sighs]

Watercolors (NSHS 7144-49)

Three watercolor paintings on construction paper that are connected with library tape. The top scene is a mountain scene that also has a peasant with a mule and says: “LE MULET.” It is signed by “J. Lemaire“. The middle drawing has a white, furry dog and says: “CHIEN DE MONTAGNE” [Mountain Dog]. It is signed by “Th. Ramette“. The bottom drawing is a snake amongst foliage and a tree trunk. It says: “LA COULEUVRE” [The Serpent], and is signed by “Colette Jacquemart“.

Watercolors (NSHS 7144-47)

Three watercolor paintings that are connected with library tape. The first picture is of a falcon that is perched on a peak and says: “LE FAUCON” “TH. RAMETTE“. The second drawing has a mountain goat standing on a small peak in front of large snowy peaks and says: “LE CHAMOIS” “THÉRÈSE RAMETTE“. The third drawing has an alpine goat standing in rocky terrain and says: “CHÈVRE DES ALPES.” There is a presentation card that says: “Train de la Reconnaissance Française. Au Peuple Americain” “From: Ecole de filles, Allée de Soupirs, Cambrai, NORD” 

Watercolor (NSHS 7144-53 [dup3])

Watercolor painting of the freighter Lafayette crossing from France to America. There is an official school stamp that says: “Ecole Paroissale de la Trinité, 18, Rue de Milan, PARIS, 9e” [Parish school of La Trinité]. 

On the back it says: “Christiane Putz, classe de 3e.” 

Watercolor (NSHS 7144-53 [dup12])

Watercolor painting of the ship “Washington” between America and France. Paris is indicated with a Parisian shield. There is an official school stamp that says: “Ecole Paroissale de la Trinité, 18, Rue de Milan, PARIS, 9e” [Parish school of La Trinité]. On the back it says: “Pauline Buzot, 15 ans, classe de 4ème” 

Cartoon (NSHS 7144-138)

The second picture is of a pair of children engaged in marketplace negotiations about the sale of a fowl. Underneath the cartoon it says: “Pas possiblenon, ma chère. Il m’a couté plus que ça, Patatipatatta” [Not possibleno, my dear. It cost me more than that, Patatipatata..]. Written on the back it says: “Dress of Britain” [Brittany].

Cartoon (NSHS 7144-138)

The fourth picture is of a child knitting in front of a mountain scene. Underneath the cartoon it says: “Que j’aime à respirer l’air pur de nos montagnes” [How I love to breathe the pure air of our mountains]. Written on the back it says: “Dress of Normandy”

Lithograph (NSHS 7144-161-(1))

Lithograph of both the exterior and interior of a building. The interior features numerous chandeliers and a series of balconies open onto a festive scene. Below the picture it says: “LE BAL MASQUÉ, Fêtes données au Roi et à la Reine, par la Ville de Paris, Le 23 Janvier 1782 à l.occasion de la Naissance de Monseigneur le Dauphin” [Masked Ball, given to the king and queen by the city of Paris, Jan. 23 1782, on the occasion of the birth of the dauphin]. In fine print it says: “Inventé par P. L. Moreau Chev. de L’Ordre du Roi, architecte de sa Majesté Mtre général des Bâtiments de la Ville en 1782. Dessiné et gravé d’après nature par J.M.Moreau le je dessinat et grad. du Cabinet du Roi, de son acad Ale de Peint et de Sculp et celle des Sciences et Arts de Rouen. Cer. Auli de sa Mté le Roi de Prusse, etc” [Created by P. L. Moreau, Chevalier of the Order of the King, architecte of his majesty, Master general of buildings of the city in 1782. Drawn and engraved from life by J.M. Moreau the younger, artist and graduate of the King’s Cabinet and his academy of Painting and Sculpture and that of Sciences and Arts of Rouen. Certified by his majesty the king of Prussia, etc.]. On the back is an official donation card of thanks marked: “Musee du Louvre, Paris.” In addition, the back features a small stamp that says: “Encadrements, Dorure, Gravures, anciennes et modernes, AU CADRE LOUIS XV, Rue de Clichy, Paris, Tél Gutenberg 62-52” [Frames, Gilding, Engravings, antique and modern, At The Framing Louis XV].

Photoprint (NSHS 7144-213)

Photoprint celebrating the relationship of Saint-Die (Godmother of America), with text in Latin from 1507 and an English translation showing attribution of the name “America” to Saint-Die, Vosges, France. In the bottom right corner it is signed by the mayor of Saint-Die: “In recognition of his acknowledgement and gratitude to the American People-The mayor of Saint-Die, s.]

Bell (NSHS 7144-176)

Copper alloy bell made from a conical artillery shell nose cap. The front section is a 8mm Mauser cartridge, including a bullet, in the center position representing a non-moving clapper. On a small square of paper it says: “Clochette confectionnee sur le front par un poilu de la Grande Guerre 1914-18 avec fusee d’obus 77 Allemand, balle de Moser, et bouton pris sur un prisonnier allemand. Bivert Vaaille 43 rue Auguste Golissard Bondy (Loire).“

Bust (NSHS 7144-182)

Plaster bust of composer Gabriel Fauré. Written in pencil on the bottom of the base is: “Gabriel FAURÉ muscien compositeur français (1845-1924). Offert par son petit cousin Fauré, Jean, Pamiers” [Gabriel FAURÉ musician, composer. Given by his little cousin Jean, Pamiers]. On the rear of the base it says: “F. Fauré, Fremier”