1910s WWI Damaged Saint-Martin Church France Vintage Postcard, Hannonville-sur-les-Côtes
About This Vintage Postcard
Witness the stark reality of the Great War's impact on rural France with this powerful monochrome view of Hannonville-sur-les-Côtes. The scene captures the Parish Church of Saint-Martin showing significant shell damage to its roof and bell tower, a haunting testament to its position near the frontline of the Saint-Mihiel Salient. In the foreground, the rough, unpaved village road and weathered stone houses illustrate the devastation faced by this community during the conflict. This evocative composition preserves a moment of "silent ruin" in the Meuse department, documenting the village as it stood following its liberation by Allied forces in 1918. It serves as both an architectural record and a poignant historical document of the resilient spirit of northeastern France during one of its most turbulent eras.
Details
Era: European Collotype (1918-20s)
City: Hannonville-sur-les-Côtes
State or Region: Meuse, Grand Est
Country: France
Topic: Saint-Martin Church, World War I Ruins, Meuse Landmarks, French Village History, Saint-Mihiel Salient
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: Divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: A. Guenot, Metz (St. Marienstr. 18)
Printer: Unknown (P. - M. - S. - M. - No. 1545)
Print Type: Collotype
Additional Information
The manufacturing date for this card is attributed to the late 1910s, specifically following the end of World War I hostilities in 1918. The publisher, A. Guenot, based in Metz at St. Marienstr. 18, produced this series to document the "Zones Dévastées" (Devastated Zones) of the Meuse region. The visible damage to the Saint-Martin Church (built in 1850) was a direct result of the village's strategic location along the Cotes de Meuse. The printer code "P. - M. - S. - M. - No. 1545" is consistent with regional topographic series from the immediate post-war period. This uncirculated card captures the landscape in its unrestored state, offering a valuable perspective for collectors of military history and French heritage.
This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.
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