(OUTSIDER ART). (MANUSCRIPT). Souvenir de la Classe 1909. [Notebook of songs and illustrations by a soldier].

Art and Lyrics Kept by a French Soldier Stationed in Algeria

(OUTSIDER ART). (MANUSCRIPT).  Souvenir de la Classe 1909. [Notebook of songs and illustrations by a soldier]. (Algeria: 1912-13) 213 [i.e. 214], 218-221, 224-227, 230-232, [3] pp. Pagination in a contemporary hand. Missing several leaves toward the end of the book, including the most of the song "Le Legionnaire." (222 x 176 mm.)  Original cloth backed marbled paper boards, cover with a colored paper title laid on. Many pages with illustrations in pen colored pencil, each song with a hand-lettered title.  Edges a bit rubbed, title on upper board with a repair across the middle and with some chipping; a few stains and light soiling internally, but in very good condition.

An amazing survival containing a collection of songs popular among French soldiers stationed abroad, heavily illustrated with a unique style of imagery drawing on popular culture of the time.

This unassuming notebook, kept by a young French soldier stationed at Fort National (now Larbaâ Nath Irathen) in northern Algeria, contains the lyrics to more than 80 songs and some wonderfully off-kilter illustrations. The songs here are not "official" military anthems or patriotic marches; instead, they include traditional melodies, dance hall favorites, bawdy ballads, and other popular tunes, reflecting what soldiers of the period were actually listening to while at the barracks or relaxing. Themes include homesickness, political and social satire, military life, romantic (and carnal) love, and, of course, pretty young women. There are also a few songs that relate specifically to the African continent, such as  "Arrouah Sidi" by the French-Algerian composer Albert Valensi. Some songs in this collection are identifiable; others will require more research or are, perhaps, lost to time. 

Another remarkable aspect of this notebook are the copious illustrations that accompany the lyrics. The images, which are outlined in pencil or pen and then filled with colored pencil, appear almost childlike at first glance; facial features are slightly askew, lines are simplified, and planes flattened, yet they are immensely charming and have a distinct flair. The images, which frequently feature scantily clad women, soldiers in uniform, and romantic trysts, were certainly traced from magazines or newspapers available at the time, but, much like a scrapbook, they take on new meaning in the way they are reworked and juxtaposed.

Although this work is unsigned, it provides a number of clues about owner's life. From notes on the cover and elsewhere, we know that he was part of the class of 1909 (marking year he turned 20 and registered), meaning that he was probably born in 1889. We also know that he was a member of France's 157th Regiment, which originally would have been an Alpine brigade stationed in southeastern France. The place names listed on the cover suggest that our solider slept and ran drills at the Serin barracks, stood guard or participated in exercises up the hill at Fort Saint-Lauren[t], and was stationed in the city of Lyon within the Rhône region. Following his mandatory two years of service, it seems he was sent to Algeria (which was still under French colonial rule) from at least 1912-13 for an additional assignment. 

Importantly, many of the songs in this work end with a note about the date and location where it was copied down. This is often followed by a countdown listing the number of days before his "escape" (i.e., when his service finished). This small but poignant detail helps us to understand this work as something more than a playful collection of popular songs and images; it was a way to connect with his home and culture, and provided an outlet to cope with the loneliness, monotony, and uncertainty of the job. As a whole, this is a fascinating piece that tells a compelling story, offering multiple avenues for additional study.  (1149)

N. B. Our research indicates that there is a small and relatively unknown group of similar notebooks by other French soldiers of the period, which were written about in an article by Michel Sancho in the journal "Carnet de la Sabretache" no. 193.