Handwritten: "Envoi de R. Cotterret. Reserve Lazaret N Bari I. Stuttgart/Deutschland. Feld Colt.", indicating it was sent by R. Cotterret from a reserve hospital or convalescent camp ("Lazaret") in Stuttgart, Germany, with "Feld Colt."
Recipient: "Madame R. Cotterret 6 rue Rennequin 6 Paris (17e)", showing the envelope was addressed to his wife or relative in Paris, 17th arrondissement.
Postmark: "Kriegsgefangenen-Sendung Geprüft. Stuttgart Nr5 26 XI. 14 11 12V (Berg)", translating to "Prisoner of War Mail Checked. Stuttgart No.5 26 November 1914 11 12V (Berg)". This indicates the mail was censored and processed in Stuttgart, with "Geprüft" meaning it was inspected for security reasons. The additional numbers and "V" might relate to specific postal routes or censors.
POW Correspondence: During WWI, POWs were allowed limited correspondence, which was heavily censored to prevent the leakage of military intelligence. This envelope is a testament to the personal connections maintained under the strict oversight of captors.
French POWs in Germany: The presence of French POWs in German camps like Stuttgart highlights the scale of captures during the conflict, where soldiers from both sides experienced captivity, often in conditions that varied widely.
Censorship: The postmark "Geprüft" signifies the rigorous censorship processes in place, where letters were checked for any military information or morale-damaging content before being allowed to proceed.
Lazaret: The term "Lazaret" refers to a hospital or medical facility for POWs, indicating R. Cotterret was likely wounded or sick, receiving treatment away from the front lines.
Even in war, the necessity of communication between loved ones persisted, offering a human aspect to the conflict where language barriers and national enmity were temporarily bridged through postal services.
Condition: Given its age and travel through wartime postal systems, this envelope exhibits signs of wear including fading, creases, or minor damage.
Historical Significance: An essential artifact for collectors of WWI memorabilia, particularly those interested in POW experiences, French-German relations during the war, or the postal history of POW communications. Provides insights into the logistics of POW camps, the human side of warfare through personal connections, and the administrative control over communication in wartime.
Note: This WWI envelope is more than just a piece of postal history; it's a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind the war's statistics, capturing the longing for home and the resilience of human spirit even in the darkest of times.
