{"product_id":"2978","title":"1915 WWI Ruined Palais Saint-Vaast Arras France Postcard","description":"\u003ch3\u003eAbout This Vintage Postcard\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis striking historical postcard documents the severe damage to the Palais Saint-Vaast in Arras, France, during the First World War. The image captures the skeletal remains of the grand building following intense bombardments in July 1915, which resulted in a catastrophic fire that gutted the structure and destroyed the collections of the museum and library housed within. Once a Benedictine abbey, the Palais Saint-Vaast was a centerpiece of Arras's cultural heritage. This specific view, numbered 503 in a series titled La Guerre 1914-15, serves as a grim testament to the city's status as a martyr city during the Great War, highlighting the devastating impact of modern warfare on historic European landmarks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra: Divided Back (1915)\u003cbr\u003e\nCity: Arras\u003cbr\u003e\nState or Region: Pas-de-Calais\u003cbr\u003e\nCountry: France\u003cbr\u003e\nTopic: WWI Ruins, Palais Saint-Vaast, Bombardment, Military History, Arras France\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Circulated\u003cbr\u003e\nPostage: 25c Blue Semeuse stamp; Postmarked Arras, July 1915\u003cbr\u003e\nAddress Side: divided back\u003cbr\u003e\nOrientation: Horizontal (Landscape)\u003cbr\u003e\nArtist \/ Photographer: Unknown\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: R. P. Paris (Visé Paris 503)\u003cbr\u003e\nPrinter: H. Provost, Paris\u003cbr\u003e\nPrint Type: Collotype\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Palais Saint-Vaast was heavily targeted by German shelling due to its proximity to the Arras Cathedral. The most significant damage occurred on July 5 and 6, 1915, when incendiary shells sparked a fire that destroyed the municipal library's medieval manuscripts. The Visé Paris 503 mark indicates it was approved by the French military censorship office. The reverse features a dense handwritten message in French addressed to Mademoiselle Marie Bernadou at 25 Avenue de Wagram in Paris, a prestigious location near the Arc de Triomphe. The postmark confirms the card was sent in July 1915, during the height of the bombardments depicted on the front side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLove it ♡\u003cbr\u003e\nGet it ☆\u003cbr\u003e\nGet Lucky 💋 Vintage\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"-","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46732053315773,"sku":"2978","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0625\/4818\/1181\/files\/2978.jpg?v=1777814825","url":"https:\/\/www.getluckyvintage.com\/products\/2978","provider":"Get Lucky Vintage ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}